SELF GUIDED WALKING TOUR
Please note this is an independent walking tour, and can depart on any day requested.
Starting and finishing in beautiful Alba, this circular walk explores the sweet rolling hills of the Langhe, one of Italy’s premier wine and food regions, which is scattered with villages and castles that date from Roman times and which is crisscrossed with trails that have been walked for centuries.
The tour starts in beautiful Alba, 95 kilometres south of Turin. A handsome town of Roman origin, Alba is the ‘capital’ of the Langhe, a close-knit range of hills and valleys which are crowded with impeccably tended rows of nebbiolo vines, the source of some of Italy’s finest wines. They form a unique and striking landscape, so much so that the district was recently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Italy’s 50th:
“The Piedmont vineyard landscapes constitute an outstanding example of man’s interaction with his natural environment, outstanding for its harmony; the balance between the aesthetic qualities of its landscapes; the architectural and historical diversity of the built elements associated with the wine production activities and an authentic and ancient art of winemaking”. UNESCO citation, June 2014
But Alba and the Langhe are more than this. A neighbour of Bra (the home of the Slow Food Association) Alba is also one of Italy’s gastronomic capitals, well-known for its cheeses, meats, Ferrero chocolates and nougat but particularly famous for its white truffles, found in the surrounding poplar and oak forests, which fill the medieval streets of the towns with their pungent aroma throughout October and November.
An extensive network of well-marked walking trails connect the charming villages, castles and towns of the district, passing over undulating hills, through vineyards, hazelnut orchard (Alba is also the home of Nutella) and forests, providing the perfect way to explore these hidden gems of Piedmont.
This eight day loop takes you right through the heart of the Langhe hills. Starting and finishing in Alba, the first two days’ walking take you through the sweet rolling hills of the Barolo vineyards (‘the king of wines and wine of kings’) with spectacular views to the distant Alps in the north; the second two days take you through a slightly ‘wilder’ part of the district, leaving the vineyards behind and passing through forests and hazelnut orchards; the last two days bring back to Alba, returning via the undulating wine hills around Barbaresco. Along the way, you’ll visit some of the prettiest towns in Italy, as well as eating some very fine food!
The walks: The trails are well-marked and generally follow unsealed country roads and lanes that take you over rolling hills often through vineyards and orchards regularly passing through towns and villages. There are the occasional rougher sections and a bit of asphalt walking into and out of the larger towns as well. As each day’s walk is between 12 and 18 kilometres and there are some long steep hills, we have classified this as a Grade 4 walk however, please note that all the walks can be shortened on request.
The accommodation: Alba and the Langhe have a long history of hospitality and offer a range of very comfortable and welcoming accommodation. During the walk you will stay in a variety of accommodation including 4-star hotels (in Alba on Days 1 and 7 and on Day 5); an ex-castle/vineyard which once belonged to the king of Italy (Day 2); a lovely small hotel in the heart of the prettiest village in the district (Day 6) and a bed and breakfast/trattoria in a small hilltop village that has been in the same family for 4 generations (Day 4). All the accommodation has ensuite services. See the itinerary for details.
The food: Alba and the Langhe is one of Italy’s gastronomic and wine capitals so you will eat and drink very well during this tour (just as well there are some long walks!). According to Pliny the Elder and Strabo, this area was producing fine wines in Roman times. Its modern manifestation started in the mid-1800s with the introduction of production techniques from nearby France. Big, bold Barolo, the flagship wine, is recognised as one of the finest reds in Europe. The area is also famous for its food: the white truffles; cheeses like toma and castelmagno; Carru beef and traditional dishes such as agnolotti (local ravioli); tajarin (‘angel hair’ pasta usually served with truffles or porcini mushrooms); bagna caoda (boiled meats); vitello tonnato; brasato al Barolo (beef stewed in Barolo); coniglio con pepperoni (rabbit slow cooked in white wine with bell peppers) and bonet (a rich chocolate pudding). It is recommended to include dinners in your walking package, which is an additional $400 per person.
You will be taken by private transfer from Turin to beautiful Alba, 95 kilometres south. The plan of
the historic centre of Alba reflects its Roman origins (an orderly grid tucked behind defensive walls)
while its narrow streets are decidedly medieval, complete with a five brick tower-houses that date
from the 13th century. Your accommodation is in a traditional hotel (opened in 1866) in the historic
centre of the town.
You leave Alba heading south-west, passing the Ferrero chocolate factory (home of Nutella) and then
follow an easy path along the left bank of the Tanaro River, before turning south and climbing up to a
small hilltop village that is famous for its truffles and the ‘universita dei cani’: a school for truffle dogs
that has been running since 1880 (a private truffle hunt and/or degustation of local products can be
arranged) – a good place for lunch. The second half of the walk takes you through vineyards to
another lovely hilltop town, with a ruined castle from where you have a breathtaking view south over
all the Langhe hills. Your accommodation is in a grand home in the centre of the village that was once
owned by the king of Italy. 4 hrs 14 kms.
Today’s walk takes you through the heart of Barolo country following lanes that cut through the
middle of the some of the finest and most famous vineyards in Italy such as ‘Cannubi’ and ‘Sori’,
passing through the town of Barolo itself (where you can have lunch and visit one of the cantine and/or
its Oenological Museum). After passing through more vineyards, you arrive at another charming
hilltop town, which has also Roman origins but has retained a medieval aspect, with a maze of narrow
lanes climbing the hill to the ruins of another castle. Your accommodation is in welcoming family-run
3-star hotel on the main piazza. 3.5 hrs 13 kms.
Today’s walk takes you out of the wine growing area and into the Alta Langhe, the slightly ‘wilder’
(relatively!) part of the district which is characterised by steeper hills, hazelnut and fruit orchards and
tracts of chestnut forests. On the way you will pass several small towns including one of which has
one of the best preserved and most beautiful castles in the Langhe: built in the 13th century, with a
series of 14th century frescos. The village that is squeezed around the castle also has an excellent
‘Bottega del Vino’ where local produce can be tasted and bought. The walk finishes in another small
hilltop village overlooking the Belbo River valley. Accommodation is in a small family-run bed and
breakfast which has an excellent trattoria attached. 4.5 hrs 17 kms (please note, this walk can be
shortened).
The walk today takes heads north following a ridge above the Belbo River, passing though long tracts
of forest and orchards with extensive views south over the Alta Langhe. It passes through a number
of small villages where you can break for lunch. Your accommodation tonight is in a 4-star hotel in a
restored 18th century estate with a swimming pool, generous grounds and a Michelin-starred
restaurant. 4 hrs 14 kms
Leaving your accommodation the trail further along the ridge through forests and orchards, passing
close to Santo Stefano Belbo, the home of one of the Langhe’s favourite sons: Cesare Pavese (1908 to
1950). A poet, novelist, critic and translator who is considered one of Italy’s major 20th century
writers, his novels (such as The Moon and the Bonfires) and poetry speak lovingly of the area that you
are walking through. The second part of today’s walk takes you back into the sweet rolling hills of the
wine country, through vineyards dedicated to Barbaresco, a light version of Barolo, to one of the
prettiest and best preserved villages in the area, staying at a lovely small hotel in the heart of the
village, with a famous restaurant.. 18.5 kms. 5.5 hrs (please note, this walk can be shortened).
The last walk of your visit takes you back to Alba. It loops around through more vineyards, passing a
number of settlements, including the town of Barbaresco itself, before entering forest and following
the banks of the Tanaro River along a trail that is dedicated to Beppe Fenoglio (1922 to 1963), another
beloved local writer who fought the German occupation during World War II, immortalising his
experiences in the posthumously published book Johnny the Partisan. Your last night is spent in
Alba. 11.5 kms 3 hrs.
After breakfast, you will be taken by private vehicle back to Turin, a 95 kilometres drive north.
| Starts | Ends | Price | Status | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/01/2023 | 31/12/2023 | On Request | On Request | Book Now |
Single supplement (is available if required)
Optional excursions/sightseeing
City Tax: some City Councils may introduce a tourist tax that has to be paid directly at the hotel
Meals and beverages other than those specified
Tips/Gratuities
Everything which is not clearly specified under inclusions
* Please note, price is subject to fluctuation and availability is subject to change until booked and confirmed *