Mallare is a small agricultural village on the upper Bormida river, set in a valley dominated by Monte Alto (956 m). A possession of the Del Carretto family since the 12th century, it was ceded to the Monferrato in 1393, who then re-invested the Del Carretto with the fief.
The parish church of San Nicolò dates from 1570. More interesting is the former abbey of Santa Maria at Fornelli, much older (1179) and built in a Gothic-Lombard style with a nave, two aisles, and tunnel vaulting — traces of frescoes survive inside. The shrine of Nostra Signora della Misericordia at the hamlet of Eremita was built on top of a pagan temple but renovated and enlarged during the baroque period.
Ruins of two medieval castles guard the approaches to the San Giacomo pass toward Finale: the Castello del Carruggio and the Castello del Miele. The traditional local industry is chestnut woodworking.