The shepherds' routes

Departure / Arrival: San Piero
Average time:2,30 hours
Length: 7 km
Difficulty of trail; medium
Uphill altitude difference: 288 m
Trails covered: N° 107, n° 130, n° 135

This trail, that is only a small part of the routes of the antique trails of the shepherds, is included in the network of the ancient granite routes.

The journey back in time starts off at the tiny hamlet of San Piero on trail n° 107. Go past the football pitch and you will be just off the ancient granite quarry of San Piero.

Of the numerous quarries that were still open up to tens of years ago, only two are still in use and they are not far from the village. Follow the trail uphill until you get to a junction, and this is the perfect place if you feel you need to catch your breath while you admire the panorama of Sant'Ilario and the ancient Tower of San Giovanni.

To the right, trail n° 124 leads to the Romanesque church of San Giovanni, while if you keep going along a wide and flat road you'll get to Piane al Canale. Once you reach a crossroads keep going straight on until you reach the n° 130 trail; to your right, trail n° 107 is one way to get to Masso alla Quata (or Guata). Cross the Moncione ditch and leave the n° 130 trail that leads to the Macinelle Shepherds' Enclosure and then goes downhill. Once here, a short, deviation only a few metres long will allow you to admire the scenic horizon from Pietra Murata.

Once back to where you left the trail, keep going downhill but be careful because at times the road is somewhat bumpy.

Further down, once you get to the junction for the n° 135 trail continue leftwards to head back east in the direction of the granite quarry of San Piero.

Trail n° 135 goes down to the large Moncione mill, an excellent example of industrial archaeology that's hundreds of years old, then once here cross Moncione ditch. Not only can you admire the scenery of breathtaking beauty of the area but you can also see what is left of antique terracings of vineyards that are still in good condition.

Without leaving trail n° 135