Excursion to the mines and gold digging workshop in Monferrato

"Hey ho, hey ho, let's go find the or!"

If you too have been humming this tune in your head, it's time to join our quest. A day in which you can not only venture out to discover ancient mines in the unique landscapes of the Capanne di Marcarolo and Gran Monferrato Park, but also test your luck.

"Battea" in hand (the typical dish used by gold diggers), we will challenge you to see the straw in a stream bed. And, should you find a big one, the treasure will remain in good hands: yours!

What we will do

We will meet in Casaleggio Boiro (AL), at the time indicated in the booking.

After meeting our guide, we will each leave by our own means to reach a car park in the locality of Cravaria, where we will leave the cars and begin the hike on foot.

Along the approximately 8 km route, with a 200 metre difference in altitude, we will visit the ancient aurifodine, extensive piles of pebbles that bear witness to gold mining in Roman times. We will then walk for about 40 minutes into the fascinating gold mines located near the Lavagnina Lakes, from which, at particular times, we will be able to admire the remains of the mills used to process the gold sand.

We will reach the m1 mine, where we will enter with helmet and headlamp, and then set off to discover the m13 mine, another 300-metre tunnel that follows the gold seams. The guide will tell us the fascinating history of the mining work, which has been going on since 1500.

After visiting the mines, we will move on to the practical side with a gold panning workshop in a stream lasting about 2 hours. After a break for a packed lunch, the guide will explain the dynamics of prospecting and hand out battee, the typical dishes used, which we will fill with sand.

We will do some initial tests with fishing sinkers, to learn how not to lose straws. Then we will immerse the dishes in the stream and, moving them in a particular way, we will make the sand go away to find any remains of gold and magnetite on the bottom.

In addition to technique, it will obviously take a good dose of luck: however, those who find straws will be able to take them away with them in special bottles distributed by the guide.

At the end of the workshop, we will return to the car park after 8 hours of activity.

Who it is aimed at

The activity is suitable for everyone, even children from 6 years old as long as they are used to walking.

Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

The experience is not recommended for those suffering from claustrophobia.

Other information

The excursion takes place from April to October on the dates indicated in the calendar and is confirmed with a minimum number of 5 people.

The activity is available on request for groups of 5 to 8 people even on dates other than those indicated in the calendar. At least 10 days' notice is required, which is necessary for the guide to receive authorisation from the park.

Please note that the activity is an authentic search carried out in a gold-bearing stream (no gold is "sown" for tourism purposes). As this is a real-life experience, there is no guarantee that participants will find significant straws .

The meeting place is not accessible by public transport.

Recommended clothing

• Onion clothing
• Hiking shoes

Don't forget to bring

• Water
• Rubber boots
• Packed lunch