Overview
On our Piedmont Wine Country: Barolo to Barbaresco itinerary, you will explore the varied landscape of the endless line of vineyard-covered rolling hills in the area of Langhe. These are the lands where the world’s finest and most expensive wines are made, and there are plenty of opportunities to sample some of them in the numerous wine stores, all located in historic buildings along your route.
Culturally, the Piedmont region is diverse and has a lot to offer, starting with numerous historical places; the medieval villages situated on small hills between picturesque valleys are especially attractive.
Finally, the culinary side of this region makes it a special place: truffles, risotto and cheese topped off by delicious wine and a little piece of Nocciola di Piedmonte – experience a walking bliss in paradise!
- World Cultural Heritage region Langhe
- Sample Italy’s top wines
- Pleasant walks amongst vineyards
- Enchanting medieval towns and villages
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Alba
Depending on your time of arrival, you will be able to enjoy the town of Alba – the heart of Piedmont wine country, a captivating medieval city of a “hundred towers” and a treasure chest of flavours and aromas.
- Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Alba (Hotel Calissano or similar). From mid-September until November, there is an additional supplement of 50 EUR per room/per night for overnight on Fridays and Saturdays
Day 2: Barolo to Monforte via Novello | 8km
A morning transfer brings you to Barolo, where you should not miss visiting the wine museum in the imposing castle. From Barolo, you pick up the official Bar to Bar route and, following a short and easy walk, takes you to the village of Novello. Continue to the picturesque town of Monforte, set on a hillside with narrow winding streets lined with stone houses and several great places to eat and taste some of Italy’s best wines.
- Walking for the day: 8km, 3h, ↑440m ↓200m
- Accommodation: Hotel Grappolo d’Oro in Monforte d’Alba; NB! Hotel Grappolo d’Oro is closed on Tuesdays; you can still arrive that day, but you will have to call the number indicated on the door, and someone will come in a few minutes to let you in. However, the restaurant and bar are closed that day (but there is plenty of choices where you can have a meal and a drink in the town). If you prefer we can book another hotel in the town at a supplement
Day 3: Monforte to Cissone via Roddino | 17km
The first section of today’s walk brings you to the typical hamlet of Serralunga d’Alba, offering great views of the typical undulating clay hill landscape covered in orderly vineyards. Continue to Roddino for a panoramic lunch of local specialities (not incl.) that energizes you for the final climb to the farm in Cissone.
- Walking for the day: 17km, 4-5h, ↑680m ↓565m
- Accommodation: Agriturismo in Cissone (Agriturismo Balcone sulle Langhe or similar)
Day 4: Cissone/Bossolaschetto to Cravanzana | 13-20km
A transfer to Bossolaschetto shortens today’s walk by 7km as you spend the day in pure nature. Follow country tracks and paths gradually descend to the River Balbo, from where a steep climb takes you to the opposite ridge with imposing views of the Alps and Apennine mountains on clear days. It is then through the woods till Feisoglio and finally Cravanzana. Along the way, you cross the typical village of Serravalle Langhe.
- Walking for the day – longer option: 20km, 5-6h, ↑600m ↓665m; shorter option: 13 km, 4 hrs, ↑370m ↓550m
- Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Cravanzana (Hotel Da Maurizio or similar). NB! The restaurant of Hotel Da Maurizio in Cravanzana is closed on Wednesdays: if a booking falls that day, you can either have dinner at Locanda degli Sfizi (www.locandadeglisfizi.com), or we can arrange a cold dinner in Hotel Da Maurizio (payment on the spot)
Day 5: Cravanzana to Benevello | 13.5km
A generally easy walking day. From Cravanzana, you gradually descend towards the river Belbo and then climb back to the hill’s side leading to Montemarino. You can admire outstanding views of the Lower Langa, the Alps to the northwest and the Apennines to the southeast.
- Walking for the day: 13.5km, 3-4h ↑550m ↓510m
- Accommodation: 3-star countryside hotel in Benevello (Hotel Relais Montemarino or similar)
Day 6: Benevello to Neive | 17km
From the Hamlet of Benevello, you head back to the Bar to Bar route that runs along lovely undulating country roads and paths with no significant uphills. Large farmhouses dot the landscape producing world-class wines. Here and there, sections of forest give a change of colour to the expanse of vineyards, and throughout the day, you see the Langhe area at your feet and the Alps as a backdrop.
- Walking for the day: 17km, 4-5h, ↑250m ↓550m
- Accommodation: 3-star countryside hotel in Neive (Hotel Villa Lauri or similar)
Day 7: Neive to Alba | 14 km
This walk is once more on quiet country roads and paths, with no significant climbs. The landscape, dominated by manicured vineyards, offers open views on the Langhe area and the Alps. On the way, you pass by the village of Barbaresco, home to great wines. From there, you descend to the Tanaro River walking through a beautiful riparian forest.
- Walking for the day: 14km, 3-4h, ↑325m ↓225m
- Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Alba (Hotel Calissano or similar). From mid-September until November, there is an additional supplement of 50 EUR per room/per night for overnight on Fridays and Saturdays
Day 8: Departure
Individual departure or extra days.
What to expect
Accommodation
3-star hotels and beautiful agritursmo and a 4-star hotel in Alba (2 nights). Some of the accommodation places have a swimming pool. All places have been carefully hand-picked by us, and their quality is regularly monitored. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Calissano (Alba)
- Hotel Grappolo d’Oro (Monforte d’Alba)
- Agriturismo Balcone sulle Langhe (Cissone)
- Hotel Da Maurizio (Cravanzana)
- Hotel Relais Montemarino (Benevello)
- Hotel Villa Lauri (Neive)
*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
**What is an agriturismo? A combination of the words for “agriculture” and “tourism” in Italian — It is a farm-stay, but it’s also much, much more. Typically, an agriturismo is an independently-owned farm that the owners have decided to use partially for accommodation purposes, in a way similar to English or American bed and breakfasts. One of the best parts of staying in a traditional agriturismo? The food. An Italian agriturismo will usually serve guests food that was prepared from raw materials – vegetables, fruit, eggs, meat, and often wine and olive oil – produced on the farm or from other local merchants.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. When no restaurant is available on the route, lunches and snacks can either be bought from local shops, or packed lunches can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. Dinner is available either from the restaurant in your accommodation or in the town where you stay overnight – there are plenty of opportunities to taste both the outstanding local cuisine and a wide array of prestigious regional wines. NB! The restaurant and bar at hotel Grappolo d’Oro in Monforte are closed on Tuesdays! The restaurant of Hotel Da Maurizio in Cravanzana is closed on Wednesdays: if a booking falls on that day, you can either go to Locanda degli Sfizi, or we can arrange a cold dinner in Hotel Da Maurizio as there are no other options for an evening meal.
Difficulty and terrain
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 Bar to Bar route is well marked, while alternative trails do not always have markings. A minimum level of fitness is necessary. Average walking time: 4-5h per walking day (read more about difficulty grades). We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
You can start your holiday every day between 1 April and 15 November. During May, June, September and October, you are most likely to experience good weather with pleasant average temperatures of 20C – 25C. Most rainfall is seen in October. July is the driest and the hottest month with an average daily temperature of 27C. Spring and autumn are magical in the famous wine-growing zones with a rainbow of colours reflecting off every hill and valley. Wine harvest in September and October is an ideal time to visit and taste the wines and drink in the atmosphere. Summer is the time for long lunches and moonlight dining in Piedmont’s great restaurants.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended arrival airport for this holiday is Turin. Milan Malpensa and Milan Linate airports are also an alternative.
By train or bus
There are good train connections from Turin and Milan:
- From Turin to Alba – 1x change of trains, duration approx. 1.5h.
- From Milan to Alba – 2x change of trains, duration approx. 3h.
- Trains in Italy can be checked here: https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html or you can use the Omio planner above
Inclusions
Included
- 7 overnight stays in selected hotels and Agriturismo
- 7 breakfasts
- Luggage transport on the walking days
- Private transfer to Barolo on Day 2 at 09.00h
- Holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route notes and maps (digital copy sent by email and a hard copy delivered at the first hotel)
- 24/7 phone support by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches and dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Local tourist tax and entry fees (payable on the spot)
- Personal expenses
- Any items not specifically mentioned as ‘Included’ in the programme
Options, extras and supplements
- Supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room / single use of a double room
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Extra nights in Alba before or after the holiday
- Parking is available at hotel Calissano, 50 EUR per week, payment on the spot
- From mid-September until November, there is an additional supplement of 50 EUR per room/per night at hotel Calissano in Alba for overnight on Fridays and Saturdays
Gallery
