You’ll be met on arrival at Turin airport and transferred to Canale (approx. 1 hour), a medieval town in the heart of Piemonte. After your welcome meeting and bike fitting, you will have the chance to step out and explore the streets of Canale, stopping in one of the squares for your first aperitivo of the holiday. Day 2: Roero Loop Ride (B)
You’ll start the day by leaving Canale, heading towards San Damiano d’Asti on secondary roads. You’ll be passing through San Martino Alfieri, Castello di Govone, Priocca and Castellinaldo, all on the high plateau of the Roero region. Here you are in true wine country, where the grape varieties include Nebbiolo, Barbera and Arneis, no doubt a part of your evening celebrations!
Each village you pass through today is topped with a castle; most are now privately owned and very seldom open for visits, but they add to the uniqueness of the landscape as you explore this region. You’ll stop in Cisterna d‘Asti, where the Museum of Ancient traditions, housed in the Castle is worth visiting.
Continuing south, the Tanaro river valley marks the border between the Roero and Langa wine regions, with the towering Barbaresco sprawl of ancient walls dominating the landscape in the distance.
Approx. distance: 24 Miles / 40 Kms
Day 3: Canale to Barolo (B)
Today’s ride is a roller coaster journey along beautiful ridges and gentle hills through yet more stunning countryside. You’ll mostly be riding on secondary roads with some traffic picking up around Pollenzo. You’ll have time to visit this interesting town, steeped in history, especially La Corte Albertina Palace that received the official recognition of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. It now houses the University of Gastronomical Sciences, founded by the internationally recognised Slow Food Association.
In the afternoon, the riding will take you up to La Morra. Abundant apricot and peach orchards will provide the setting for this lovely ride, as you gradually cycle your way onwards and upwards.
La Morra is considered the balcony of the Langhe region because of its wonderful views of the entire area. Take your time here and make sure you have your cameras ready! Back on your bikes, you’ll eventually arrive into Barolo, an unpretentious village named after the King of Wines. The Castle of Barolo is home to a unique wine museum that recently opened following renovation by architect Francois Confino. This is a great stop for lunch, and for those who are interested in the history of wines, you can visit the museum.
Approx. distance: 29 Miles / 48 Kms Day 4: Barolo Loop Ride (B)
Today’s loop ride will take you to Serralunga d’Alba past yet more vineyards, where no doubt you will see local workers either pruning, picking or ploughing the land. This is almost a year-round process, culminating with harvest time in September. Big trucks laden with grapes might beep ‘hello’ as you cycle along the sweet scented vineyards.
Leaving Barolo, the ride will take you to the village of Monteforte d‘Alba, perched on the side of the hill, with the dominating church tower of Madonna della Neve and Castello di Monforte. Stopping in one of the three piazzas is an ideal spot for a coffee. From Roddino you’ll descend a sloping ridge to Serralunga d‘Alba. This settlement was built on a ridge and its castle is a clear landmark from as far away as La Morra.
Looping back to Barolo, we recommend taking a short detour to the 13th Century Grinzane Cavour castle, once home to the famous strategist Cavour. Approx. distance: 19 Miles / 30 Kms Day 5: Barolo to Alba (B)
Today you’ll start the day by pedalling to Alba, which borders the Alta Langa, the highest and wilder portion of this territory. A majestic view of the Alps will accompany you for the majority of today’s ride. The vegetation changes as woodland scattered with hazelnuts covers the northern side of the hills; these hazelnuts are harvested in tonnes and transported to the Ferrero factory in Alba to make the famous Nutella chocolate, as well as Italian Gianduia chocolates, which you should of course try!
Alba is the capital of the white truffle area, also nicknamed the town of a hundred towers – the few remaining red-brick towers give the town its distinctive appearance. Of Celtic and Ligurian origin, known by the Romans as Alba Pompeia, the town has kept a spiral-shaped medieval layout, and there’ll be time to explore before heading to your accommodation. For truffle lovers, this is the opportunity to indulge in exquisite dishes where truffle is the prize ingredient.
Approx. distance: 29 Miles / 47 Kms
Day 6: Alba to Asti (B)
You couldn’t leave this area without a visit to Asti, the capital of this wine region! Take some time to explore its stunning architecture and history.
Heading east of Alba, you’ll start the ride by following the Tamaro river again, through flat agricultural land. Leaving the river side, the route will take you through the Barbera wine region, stopping in Castiglione d‘Asti to visit the castle, where every year the Barbera wine auction takes place.
Asti is the most influential city of art in Piemonte and the birthplace of Vittorio Alfieri, the famous 18th century poet and dramatist. The old part of town is picturesque and charming, opening onto the triangular Piazza Alfieri, where the town’s famous Palio (horse race) is staged.
Approx. distance: 30 Miles / 49 Kms Day 7: Monferrato D’Asti Loop Ride (B)
The area north east of Asti is the home of Barbera d‘Asti wine production (the left hand side of the Tamaro river is home to the production of Grignolino d‘Asti (a delicious red!), and yet again you’ll be riding through a beautiful region of rolling hills and country lanes. You will be riding the wine route of the Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG, cultivated in only 7 villages (which you’ll ride through today!)
Once you have crossed back over the river Tamaro, you’ll loop back to Asti. Back to Piazza Alfieri, this is the perfect location to toast to a great cycling holiday with a glass of locally produced Asti Spumante!
Approx. distance: 25 Miles / 41 Kms Day 8: Departure from Asti - Transfer to Turin airport (B)
After breakfast, it’s time to head to the airport for flights home. If you’d like to spend any extra time in the region, do let us know.
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With its imposing historic castles, tranquil winding roads and charming medieval villages, the daily cycling in this region is bursting with culture and tradition. There are endless opportunities to try out the famous wines of Barolo, Barbaresco, Nebbiolo and Moscati and delicious food, with many of the dishes featuring truffles. It's not surprising that these regions have been designated UNESCO World Heritage sites since 2014.
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