Menconico: Monte Alpe, Trails and Regional Culture

Menconico between Monte Alpe and the Hills

Menconico in the Oltrepò Pavese combines natural landscapes, trails, local history and regional cuisine to create a variety of travel experiences. The Riserva Naturale Monte Alpe is located within the municipality. The protected area covers 328 hectares, including around 300 hectares of woodland; the remainder consists of meadows and pastureland. The wooded areas comprise artificially planted black pine forests, coppice woods, as well as reforestation areas with various deciduous trees and shrubs.

Trails through Nature

Access to the Riserva Naturale Monte Alpe is free of charge. The trails are well marked and equipped with information panels explaining the area's natural features. Trail 160 – Sentiero A1 di Monte Alpe runs within the reserve and is the longest trail there. It follows the ridge of the mountain range, offers remarkable viewpoints and has rest areas along the route. Because its gradients are not excessive, it can also be used by mountain bikes.

Loop trail 016 – Anello Menconico Sud runs through the hilly countryside south of Menconico almost entirely along unpaved roads. The trail network of I Sentieri dell’Oltrepò Pavese also includes trail 015 – Anello Menconico Nord. The different trail profiles provide clear guidance when planning your trip between the mountain ridge, nature reserve and southern hills.

Church, Ecomuseo and Local History

The parish church of San Giorgio was built in the 18th century. It has a gilded wooden high altar from the 18th century and a stone vault beneath it. The history of the town goes back further as well: Menconico was historically owned by the Abbey of San Colombano di Bobbio. In the High Middle Ages, control of the area passed to the Malaspina family; later, Menconico came under the influence of the Dukes of Milan.

Menconico is one of the four municipalities belonging to the Ecomuseo Il grano in erba. The town's history thus complements the natural experiences at Monte Alpe with a regional perspective on the landscape and rural culture.

Butalà, Truffles and Local Traditions

A characteristic dish of the area is Butalà. It is prepared with potatoes from Brallo bearing a municipal De.Co. designation and refined with black truffles from Menconico. The dish is available in two versions: with Molana, a typical cheese from the area, or with a reduction made from the meat of the Varzese cow, an autochthonous Lombard cattle breed. As part of a Butalà initiative associated with Menconico, thirteen local restaurants added the dish to their menus.

Festivals, Mills and Nature Observation

The Festa del Tartufo di Menconico takes place every year and offers visitors tastings, excursions and visits to the truffle-growing areas. The 2026 edition also includes a guided nature walk through the forests of Menconico and to the historic Mulino Spalla. The historic site is easily accessible from the motorhome parking area in Menconico. If you wish to collect wild mushrooms, this activity is subject to the regulations of the Comunità Montana dell’Oltrepò Pavese and requires the purchase of one of the designated permits.

How to Get to Menconico

By car, Menconico can be reached via the SS461, which climbs through the Oltrepò Pavese valley. This makes it possible to combine the nature trails at Monte Alpe, the church of San Giorgio, the regional cuisine and the events associated with Menconico in a travel plan of your own.

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To the higher-level travel overview: Pavia.