The “Via dell’Acqua” is a long route that goes through the territory of 7 Municipalities: Tigliole, also included in the “Via dei Santi” route, Cantarana, Valfenera, Cellarengo, Villanova  d’Asti, Ferrere and San Paolo Solbrito, the last two touched by the “Via dei Briganti” too.

The area involved by this itinerary extends for the first part along the direction Asti-Turin, in the zone of Pianalto Astigiano, and goes down partially in the “Alfieri Lands”, to the direction of Roero region, nearby the villages of Ferrere and Cellarengo.

Like the name suggests, this area is historically famous for the abundant presence of water: small natural lakes and artificial basins, used today like in the past to irrigate fields and water animals in the breeding farms.

Cantarana, whose name in italian language is referred to the croaking of frogs, is a perfect example of this aspect: in the Sixteenth century its territory was interested by a short late glaciation that created a large marshy area, becoming in the time the ideal habitat for the pregiate Tinca Gobba Dorata del Pianalto (a particular kind of tench). A special product, that Cantarana shares with the near villages of Valfenera and Cellarengo.

Staying on the topic of food, also the town of Ferrere boasts some excellences, in particular honey and the Cooked Salami, typical in Piedmont and especially in Monferrato.

Villanova d’Asti follows with its valued Gallina Bionda (the Blonde Chicken), so called because of the golden colour of the plumage, with tender and very tasty meat.

A territory that hides not only gastronomic “niche attractions”, but architectural and environmental as well. During the trip, the walker can find the Romanesque church of Tigliole, titled to Saint Laurence, surrounded by vineyards. San Paolo Solbrito, Ferrere and Valfenera will wait for you with their castles: the first two still preserve the medieval structures, the third was enlarged and restored in Neo-Gothic style.

In Cellarengo you will go through a protected natural area, where big wild trees grow, including oaks, hornbeams and Scotch pines. A wooded area of about 10 hectares, of high environmental and botanical interest, especially for the presence of beech, rather rare in the territory of Asti.

A route which offers a genuine taste of Monferrato, where, survived from a distant past, naturalistic areas of high interest, pregiate artistic testimonies and typical agri-food products live together, strongly representative of the places.