Wine and walking in Piedmont

Four days through the Langhe, Piedmont’s wine country, in the hills around Barolo

Wine walk in Piedmont – vines all around

Difficulty: Mountain hiking T2
Duration: 4 walking days
Walking time: 3.5–4.5 hrs/day
Distance: 45.1 km
Ascent: 1,500 m
Descent: 1,730 m
Group: max. 6 people

The tour

Exploring Piedmont’s wine country on foot

Each day we wake up somewhere lovely and fortify ourselves with a good breakfast. With a packed lunch in the rucksack, we set off on the day’s stage. Walking time is never more than about four and a half hours, leaving plenty of time after the walk – and a well-earned shower – for a stroll through the village, a wine tasting or a visit to the bar.

Your luggage is taken on from one place to the next, so you carry only a daypack.

Day one

10.5 km 4 hrs 400 m 300 m

We start from Belvedere Langhe, the highest point of the walk, with a descent to a small river at the bottom of a valley. We follow it for a while and may have to cross it once or twice. Since our destination, Bossolasco, sits on the ridge, we then climb again through hazelnut orchards and meadows.

We check into a very stylish place to stay, take a shower and then choose between a short tour of the village (about 30 minutes) and an aperitivo at the bar – or both.

Day two

12.3 km 4 hrs 280 m 470 m

From Bossolasco we can already see the gentle hills at the heart of the Langhe wine country, covered with vineyards and the odd hazelnut orchard. Today’s destination, Roddino, stays hidden behind the ridges until shortly before we arrive. After a descent and a climb we reach Serravalle Langhe, a pretty little village halfway along the stage. Here we can enjoy our packed lunch at a covered picnic spot in the centre, followed by a coffee at the little restaurant. Then the path leads through a hazelnut orchard and woodland and across the Riavolo, a small stream at the bottom of the valley.

In Roddino we shower at our lodgings and, in fresh clothes, listen to a winemaker friend tell the story of his wines, which we taste in a warm and personal atmosphere. If we have the time and inclination, he will also show us his small cellar. We spend the night at the best B&B in the village, where an ambitious chef, also a friend, brings the traditional cooking of the Langhe up to date.

Day three

12.8 km 4.5 hrs 420 m 660 m

Today we head for the most famous village in the Langhe: Barolo. On the way we pass through Monforte, an up-and-coming place that has lavishly restored its centre. In the little amphitheatre above the village, beside the church, well-known international musicians perform – and it makes a fine spot with a view for our lunch. Down in the village we can have a coffee at the ristorante on the square. The rest of the way is mostly downhill, along a lovely ridge to Barolo.

There we stay at a B&B with hot tubs in the garden – so pack your swimming things if you fancy it. Afterwards we join a guided tour and tasting at the Marchesi di Barolo winery, a fascinating experience for its history as much as its wine.

Among the vines before Serralunga d’Alba

Day four, the last

9.5 km 3.5 hrs 400 m 300 m

Our last and most leisurely day takes us through the vines to Serralunga d’Alba, whose striking, towering castle can be seen from miles around. Halfway along we pass through Castiglione Falletto, where we can stop for a cool drink on the terrace of the local bar and enjoy the view of our final destination. If time allows in Serralunga, we visit the sparsely furnished castle and take in the panorama from the top. Here our walk ends, and we return to Alba by bus.

Prepare for your hike

What to bring

Light walking or trekking shoes with good grip, definitely waterproof
Rain protection (an umbrella is fine), windproof and warm layers (hat, and gloves if you feel the cold)
A dry spare shirt for the trail
Sunglasses, sun hat and sun cream
Walking poles are highly recommended