SELF GUIDED WALKING TOUR
Please note this is an independent walking tour, and can depart on any day requested.
Beginning and ending in the picturesque town of Alba, this 8-day circular hike takes you through the charming rolling hills of the Langhe, one of Italy’s top wine and food regions. Dotted with ancient villages and Roman-era castles, the area is interwoven with historic trails that have been walked for centuries.
The tour begins in the beautiful town of Alba, located 95 kilometers south of Turin. Alba, a town with Roman origins, is considered the ‘capital’ of the Langhe, a close-knit region of hills and valleys lined with meticulously cultivated rows of nebbiolo vines, which produce some of Italy’s finest wines. This unique and stunning landscape has earned the district recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site, becoming Italy’s 50th.
However, Alba and the Langhe offer more than just breathtaking scenery. Neighboring Bra, the birthplace of the Slow Food Association, Alba is one of Italy’s gastronomic hubs, renowned for its cheeses, meats, Ferrero chocolates, and nougat. Most famously, Alba is celebrated for its white truffles, found in the nearby poplar and oak forests, which fill the medieval streets with their distinctive aroma during October and November.
This is a Grade 3 walk. The trails are well-marked, primarily following unpaved country lanes over rolling hills, often passing through vineyards and orchards. There are occasional rougher sections and some asphalt walking when entering and leaving larger towns. The walk on Day 5 covers 17 km, and on Day 6, 19 km, both taking around 5 hours to complete. With advance notice, both routes can be shortened.
Alba and the Langhe are among Italy’s top regions for food and wine, so you’ll enjoy exceptional meals and drinks throughout this tour. According to Pliny the Elder and Strabo, this area was producing fine wines as far back as Roman times. Its modern resurgence began in the mid-1800s with the adoption of winemaking techniques from nearby France. Barolo, the region’s bold and iconic wine, is now recognized as one of Europe’s finest reds.
The area is also renowned for its culinary specialties: white truffles, cheeses like toma and castelmagno, Carrù beef, and traditional dishes such as agnolotti (local ravioli), tajarin (thin ‘angel hair’ pasta often served with truffles or porcini mushrooms), bagna càuda (a warm dip served with boiled vegetables), vitello tonnato, brasato al Barolo (beef braised in Barolo wine), coniglio con peperoni (rabbit slow-cooked in white wine with bell peppers), and bonet (a rich chocolate pudding).
A hearty breakfast is included each day to fuel your walks. We will provide you with a curated list of three to four recommended restaurants in each town or village, ranging from fine dining to casual spots. This information will be available on the walking app, where you can book your meals directly.
Please Note: This is a continuous village-to-village walk, with no need for buses to access the trails each day. You’ll have a private transfer from Turin (100 km away) at the start of the tour and back again at the end. Accommodation is the best available in each village, ranging from a former royal residence to a charming family-run agriturismo.
Your luggage will be transported for you each day, so all you need to carry during the walks is a daypack. Along the way, you’ll savor some of Italy’s finest products, including the renowned cheeses, wines, and truffles of Le Langhe.
You’ll have 24-hour phone support from a Florence-based team, as well as access to an app filled with walking notes, a curated list of restaurants in each town offering options from fine dining to casual spots, booking details and links.
You’ll be picked up by private transfer from Turin and taken to the beautiful town of Alba, 95 kilometers to the south. The layout of Alba’s historic center reflects its Roman origins, with an orderly grid tucked behind defensive walls, while its narrow streets exude a medieval charm, highlighted by five brick tower-houses dating back to the 13th century.
Departing from Alba, you’ll head southwest, passing the Ferrero chocolate factory, famous for producing Nutella. You’ll follow an easy trail along the left bank of the Tanaro River before turning south and ascending to a charming hilltop village known for its scenic beauty. The second half of the walk takes you through vineyards to another picturesque hilltop town, where the ruins of a castle offer breathtaking views over the rolling hills of the Langhe. (4 hours; 15 km; elevation: min 158m, max 376m)
Today’s walk takes you through the heart of Barolo country, along lanes that wind through some of Italy’s most renowned vineyards, including the famous ‘Cannubi’ and ‘Sori’ estates. You’ll pass through the town of Barolo, where you can stop for lunch and visit a local winery or explore the Oenological Museum. Continuing through more vineyards, you’ll eventually reach another charming hilltop town. (3.5 hours; 13 km; elevation: min 242m, max 509m)
Today’s walk leads you out of the wine region and into the Alta Langhe, a slightly more ‘wild’ (relatively speaking) part of the area, known for its steeper hills, hazelnut and fruit orchards, and stretches of chestnut forests. Though there are a few hills, the walk is fairly short, giving you time to explore interesting sights along the way, including a fascinating castle, with time for a light lunch as well. (2.5 hours; 8 km; elevation: min 275m, max 539m)
Today’s walk takes you north along a ridge above the Belbo River, passing through stretches of forest and orchards, with expansive views to the south over the Alta Langhe. You’ll pass several small villages along the way, offering opportunities to stop for lunch. With advance notice, this walk can be shortened. (4.5 hours; 17 km; elevation: min 314m, max 715m)
Starting from your accommodation, the trail continues along the ridge through forests and orchards, passing near Santo Stefano Belbo, the birthplace of Cesare Pavese (1908–1950), one of the Langhe’s most beloved figures. Pavese was a poet, novelist, critic, and translator, regarded as one of Italy’s foremost 20th-century writers. The second part of the walk leads you back into the gently rolling hills of wine country, through vineyards dedicated to Barbaresco, a lighter variation of Barolo, and finishes in one of the area’s prettiest and best-preserved villages. With advance notice, this walk can be shortened. (5 hours; 17 km; elevation: min 229m, max 697m)
Your final walk takes you back to Alba, looping through more vineyards and passing several settlements, including the town of Barbaresco itself. You’ll then enter a forest and follow the banks of the Tanaro River along a trail dedicated to Beppe Fenoglio (1922–1963), a cherished local writer who fought against the German occupation during World War II. Your last night will be spent in Alba. (4 hours; 13 km; elevation: min 155m, max 290m)
On your final day after one last delicious breakfast, you will be taken 95 kilometers north back to Turin by a private vehicle to end your walking tour.
| Starts | Ends | Price | Status | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/01/2025 | 31/12/2025 | On Request | On Request | Book Now |
International airfare or flights in and out of Sicily including luggage charges
Meals other than those indicated, beverages in addition to the reasonable amount provided during meals
Travel insurance
Passport and other documentation fees
Items of a personal nature i.e. laundry, phone calls, mini bar etc, tipping and shopping
Single supplement (if required and if available)
Optional excursions/sightseeing
City Tax: some City Councils may introduce a tourist tax that has to be paid directly at the hotel
* A high season surcharge may apply.
* Please note, price is subject to fluctuation and availability is subject to change until booked and confirmed.