A journey to the home of foodies – in addition to varied walks through the picturesque hillside, you will experience many culinary moments: the program includes great wines such as Barolo, Barbaresco and Moscato, as well as a truffle hunt and a hazelnut tasting (Nutella is a product of this region!). The Langhe area is a cultural landscape and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The accommodation is also something
special: it lies just outside the picturesque town of Barbaresco with a fantastic panoramic view. It is a very stylish hotel where tradition and modern style are well combined, and you can taste delicious Piedmontese cuisine with the fine local wines.
Benvenuti in Piemonte!
1st day: Individual arrival at your 3-star hotel in Barbaresco. In the evening you will meet your hiking guide who will introduce you to the culture and nature of his chosen home. Together you will enjoy a welcome aperitif and get to know each other. Dinner in the country hotel.
Italy’s champagne
2nd day: Pick up in a private bus and transfer to Cassinasco, a small, sleepy place with a beautiful view over the Bormida Valley. This valley is characterized by old trade routes: medieval monasteries, a pilgrimage church, Saracen towers and mighty fortresses which lie along the way. The landscape is a little “wilder” than the well-ordered vineyards of the Langhe. The hike takes you to Bormida, a historic place that developed around a great monastery complex with a medieval bridge – an authentic landmark. Then, the hike continues passing the pilgrimage church of Caffi and back to the starting point. We have planned a small lunch with local specialties on the way. In the afternoon, you will explore Canelli, the town that gave the Langhe landscape its name as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you will find the “Cathedrals of Wine”, gigantic vaults with a total length of 20 km, which were driven into the tuff at a depth of about 30 meters to provide the ideal storage conditions for the Italian “champagne” at a constant temperature of 12 – 14 °C. The world-famous Moscato d’Asti is produced here. After an interesting visit, you will taste this wine.
Total walking time on this day about 4.5 hours. Approximately 18 km, +/- 450 m
Barbaresco
3rd day: Today’s hike leads you through the beautiful wine-growing territory of the Barbaresco region, right near to the hotel. In the morning, the bus takes us to the small village of Neive where you will start to hike. You will enjoy beautiful views of the castles of the Roero and the valley of the Tanaro. After about 1.5 hours of hiking you will reach Barbaresco and have some free time there. Then you will visit a small winery, where you can discover the cellar and get to know their fine wines at a tasting. The Barbaresco wine produced by this winery is known as one of the best. After the tasting it is not far back to your hotel.
Total walking time on this day about 3.5 hours. 15 km, +/- 400
Barolo
4th day: In the morning, transfer to La Morra – also called the “balcony of the Langhe”. This pleasant town is situated in a privileged position on a hilltop overlooking the entire wine-growing area of the famous Barolo wine. Rows of vines nestle on gentle hills forming beautiful geometric patterns, interrupted only by small hamlets and castles. With clear weather one can see the white peaks of the Alps in the background. On the Barolo hiking trail that leads through the middle of the vineyards, you will get to know better the peculiarities of this famous wine and its landscape. You will make the acquaintance of a winemaker who personalizes his wines. We also have planned a delicious picnic in the middle of the vineyards. In the afternoon you will reach Barolo, the small village with a magnificent castle which gave this wine its name.
Total walking time on this day about 4 hours. About 14 km + 100 / – 450m
Dolce far niente!
5th day: Today you have a day at leisure. You might want to relax or to explore some other cultural highlights in the area. We did not include the dinner on this day to give you the chance to try some typical dishes on you own.
The area of Roero
6th day: The Roero is a landscape with dense forests, old castles, beautiful vineyards and dramatic rock formations where often fossils can be found. It is also a fruit-growing area, in fact the tasty Roero peaches are famous throughout Italy. On a varied path you will reach one of the largest chestnut trees in Italy. Take a picture of this giant tree before the hike continues. You will appreciate beautiful views on the small town of Monteu, whose old fortress is perched on a hill. In the afternoon you will reach a family-run winery that produces some of the best Roero wines. We will taste the light Roero Arneis and of course some nice Nebbiolo wines.
Total walking time on this day about 3.5 hours. about 12 km +/- 300 m
Truffles
7th day: Today we will leave early in the morning to meet up with a professional truffle hunter, a so-called “tartufaio” and his dog. Truffles – especially Alba’s white truffles – are the “gold” of the Langhe region. Every year, their prices are set anew depending on availability and demand and often reach several hundred euros per kilogram. The truffles grow particularly well in hazelnut groves. During a walk of about 2 hours, you will learn more about the work of a truffle hunter and how to search for this precious delicacy. After this interesting lesson, we will taste some truffle snacks with a glass of wine. In the afternoon, your hiking guide will invite you on a short city tour of Alba. Afterwards, you can enjoy some free time and – if you wish – purchase some of the culinary specialties from the Langhe region to be brought back home with you. Alba is known for its many specialty shops.
Arrivederci e alla prossima!
8th day: departure or extend your stay.
Prices
Services
- 7 nights with breakfast with 6 x dinner in a Country house in Barbaresco.
- Welcome aperitif.
- Hiking guide for all hikes according to the program.
- Bus for all transfers and routes according to the program.
- 4 Visits and tastings of the local wineries.
- A typical lunch, vintner snacks at Montaribaldi.
- A truffle tasting in Alba.
