The walks are along vineyards, uneven footpaths, mule tracks and small gravel roads (strade bianche). The trails through the vineyards can get slippery, muddy and heavy-going when wet or after it has rained. The trails do not always have markings.
Start: Alba Finish: Cortemilia
Travel into the heart of Piedmont wine country and arrive in Alba, a captivating medieval city of a ‘hundred towers’ and treasure trove of aromas and flavours. Settle in at your hotel then venture out to explore the town. Dip into divine pastry shops, give in to temptation and treat your palate to the sweet taste of Italy.
Start off with a transfer to Roddi then hike gentle slopes to the rustic hilltop village of La Morra and minsicule hamlet of Vergne. Stop en route for a bit of wine-tasting, marvelling at snowy peaks like Mt. Monviso on clear days. Peek in at the Ratti Museum to learn about local history, tradition and the art of making fine wines. Pause at Cantina Comunale (closed on Tuesdays) to taste and purchase wine. Todays’ route can be shortened by 4 km if you choose to start in Verduno and the walk ends either in Vergne or Barolo, at your accommodation for tonight.
Challenge: 13 / 15 km, 445 m ascent / 410 m descent OR 510 m ascent / 380 m descent
Trek to ancient Novello with its tower dating back to the Middle Ages on your way to the wine capital of Barolo, where renowned reds are produced. Take time to inspect the newly-opened WiMu Wine Museum at Castello dei Marchesi Faletti, then enjoy lunch at a great local trattoria. Continuing among vineyards and forests, your route ends in yet another gorgeous hilltop village: Monforte d’Alba.
Challenge: 8 / 12 km, 440 m ascent / 200 m descent OR 445 m ascent / 390 m descent
Thrill to varied landscapes, as you leave the vineyards behind and climb up through pretty hazelnut groves into wild woodlands in the ancient Serralunga d’Alba. Push your legs on the steep ascent up to Roddino, then laze along on a long downhill section before the final climb to Cissone and a well-earned cappuccino.
Challenge: 17 / 19 km, 680 m ascent, 565 m descent
Meander off on a short loop walk from the village, then take the rest of the day to relax. And trade coffee for other local brews! Unwind as you savour a glass of local wine at a traditional cantina in Cissone and enjoy splendid views of unique scenery, an embroidered tapestry of vineyards dotted with castles and towers.
Challenge: 8.5 km, 305 m ascent / descent
The High Langhe landscapes are clothed in hazelnut groves and some oak-covered slopes are simply too steep to be farmed. These pretty surroundings guard a precious local treasure, the fragrant ‘Tuber Magnatum’ also known as ‘the white truffle of Alba’. If you don’t find any while searching underground, you are sure to come upon some at the local restaurant.
Challenge: 13 / 20 km, 370 m ascent / 550 m descent OR 600 m ascent / 665 m descent
An ever-changing route through ever-changing scenery with stops in Torre Bormida and Bergolo. Strike off on wide woodland tracks, narrow grassy footpaths and cobbled lanes, traversing hazelnut plantations and chestnut woods on your way to Cortemilia. On clear days, the views toward the Alps are absolutely breath-taking.
Challenge: 13 km, 450 m ascent, 790 m descent
Your self-guided walking holiday comes to an end this morning after breakfast. Travel to Alba or Asti then get the train to the airport in Turin or Milan.
All accomodations are carefully selected because of their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms are en-suite.
We choose comfortable hotels, farmhouses and B&Bs where all rooms have private en-suite bathroom.
You can find below the standard hotels of this trip. If a hotel is fully booked, then we will book a similar one for you and inform you about the alternative booked.
Extra overnight: You can book additional night(s) at any of the accommodations along the way.
Hotel Savona is centrally located in Alba, Langhe's capital. Rooms are comfortable and cozy with a dated furniture. Staff are welcoming and helpful. Breakfast is good. In common areas there is free Wi-Fi.
Agritourism Ca' San Ponzio is a restored farmhouse, surrounded by serenity, peace and nature. Rustic rooms are very comfortable, spacious and well-finished. Every room has a balcony with view on a beautiful landscape on Langhe's hills. Owners are courteous and helpful. Breakfast is very good with home-made products.
Il Grappolo D'Oro is in Piazza Umberto I, the main square in Monforte D'Alba. Rooms and apartments have a traditional design with tiled floors and wooden furniture. Services are free Wi-Fi, TV and private bathroom. Breakfast is good. It's suggested the restaurant.
Agritourism Balcone sulle Langhe is in a quiet location. Rustic rooms are comfortable, spacious and well-furnished. It's suggested the restaurant that offers traditional dishes with local products. Rooms have a balcony, fridge, kitchenette, air conditioned/heating, TV, telephone.
Albergo Da Maurizio is set in its spacious garden surrounded by the Langhe Hills and offers rooms decorated in a classic style with balcony. Some of these are fitted with tiled floors and some have parquet floors. The hotel restaurant is very good and very appreciated.
A nice hotel restaurant located in Cortemilia. Family run hotel with welcoming staff and comfortable rooms. It also offers an outdoor swimming pool and a restaurant with some of the local delicacies.
You can start on any day of the week, subject to availability, between April 1st and November 15th
The best airports fly into are Turin (TRN) and Milano Linate (LIN) and Malpensa (MPX).
There are several daily trains from Turin to Alba and you need to change either in Asti or Cavallermaggiore. Timetables available on www.trenitalia.com.
It is possible to book a transfer from Turin and Milan to Alba and vice versa.
On departure from Cortemilia, make your way to either Alba or Asti by bus and them reach the airports by train.
GPS tracks are available on request.
"A somewhat challenging tour through many of Piedmont's towns, villages and vineyards with fantastic accommodations at the end of each day trip!. Overall, we're very happy with the arrangement"