Cycling in the wine region of Piedmont

Experience the Beauty of Piedmont wine region on this best-selling tour

Piedmont, located in the northwest corner of Italy, is a region that offers a perfect blend of mountainous terrain and rolling hills, making it an ideal destination for cycling enthusiasts. Bordered by France and Switzerland, Piedmont’s varied landscape is more challenging and rewarding than its name, which means "the foot of the mountains," might suggest.

Cycling Through the Barolo Region: A UNESCO World Heritage Experience

The Langa and Monferrato regions of Piedmont are among Italy's most renowned wine-producing areas, earning UNESCO World Heritage status in 2014. Embark on what truly is one of the best rides in Italy, where you'll cycle through the heart of the Barolo region and much more. This tour takes you over rolling hills, past ancient castles, and through hidden hilltop hamlets, all while surrounded by endless vineyards. These peaceful secondary roads provide an unparalleled cycling experience, offering both challenge and tranquility.

Explore Piedmont Wine Region on a Cycling Vacation

Vineyards blanket the hills of Piedmont, producing world-famous wines such as Barolo (often called the King of Wines), Barbaresco, Barbera, and Nebbiolo. Each day of your Piedmont cycling vacation will be complemented by gastronomic delights that perfectly pair with these exquisite wines. Towns like Barolo, Acqui Terme, and Alba are must-visit stops, where you can wander through cobbled streets, relax in vibrant piazzas, and savor a glass of local wine at charming cafes and wine bars. You'll quickly notice how deeply the local people are connected to their land and how much pride they take in their produce.

Explore Monferrato: A Journey Through Novi and Gavi

The first half of the tour takes you to Monferrato in the province of Alessandria. Here, you'll explore the areas of Novi and Gavi, which are renowned for their white wines, particularly Gavi, which are made from Cortese grapes. This region is a paradise for wine lovers and cyclists alike.

Discover Alba and the Essence of Langa

The second part of your cycling adventure centers around Alba, where you'll spend two nights. As the capital of the Langa region, Alba is a charming midsize town rich in history. We will introduce you to its deep ties to agriculture, which, alongside wine and truffle tourism, form the economic backbone of Langa.

A Scenic Ride Through Piedmont’s Hills

The tour of the Barolo region offers hilly, scenic rides that are both challenging and breathtaking. While the daily distances are moderate (with the exception of a longer ride on day three), the terrain requires bursts of power, each rewarded by stunning panoramic views. On clear days, you can spot snow-capped peaks like Mount Blanc and Mount Rose in the distance. To the west, the distinctive triangular shape of Mount Viso, where the Po River originates, is a sight to behold as you ride through this picturesque region.

Chose between E-bike or Standard Bianchi Bikes

Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or looking for an unforgettable E-bike tour in Italy, the Piedmont Hills of Barolo Bike Tour offers a unique blend of challenging rides, world-class wines, and rich cultural experiences. Join us for the ultimate cycling adventure through one of Italy's most beautiful and historically rich regions. E-bikes will make the hills seem like an afterthought.

Our favorite rides of 2018

Felix Magowan, chairman at Velonews, praised our Barolo wine region ride: Touring Italy’s Langhe wine region

Highlights

UNESCO World Heritage Site (Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato)
The village of Acqui Terme (Piazza della Bollente)
Ride among the vineyards of Barolo, the king of wines
Discover the underrated Monferrato wine area
Visit a castle that is now a regional wine cellar
Two nights at an awarded boutique hotel and winery
The best of the Piedmont and Mediterranean diets prepared with fresh, local ingredients
Wine tasting and lunch at a family-owned winery
Majestic views of the Alps in the backdrop
Alba, the capital of Langa

Dates:

Ask for custom dates

Prices:

USD 3,675

Private room (single supplement) USD 495

Duration:

6 days (5 nights)

Level:

Active

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Best trip ever!

Doug C. Piedmont Cycling Tour

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Day by Day

[fa icon="plus"] Day 1

Gavi hills - 17 mls - Rolling

You will be picked up in Turin and transferred to the hills of Gavi. We begin our trip on the uncelebrated training ground of the legendary Italian cyclist Fausto Coppi and among vineyards of Cortese grapes.

We’ll prepare and fit the bikes before a warm-up ride around the hills of Novi and Gavi. We are in the southern part of the Piedmont region with the Ligurian Sea just 40 miles away, but with a mountain range in-between: The Ligurian Apennines.

A tour overview will lead to our first group dinner.

[fa icon="plus"] Day 2

Castellania loop - 28 or 33 mls - Hilly

Our first longer ride takes us to Castellania, the birthplace of the legendary Fausto Coppi. His modest house, now a museum, serves as a moving tribute and pilgrimage site for cycling enthusiasts, where the rich heritage of the sport comes alive.

From Castellania, we’ll continue to Novi Ligure, historically a vital trading hub between the Mediterranean Sea and the mainland. Here, your guides will lead you to their favorite gelato spot, a delightful treat before we move on to explore the picturesque Gavi area. This renowned wine-producing region in the heart of the Lemme Valley offers serene country roads and stunning vineyard landscapes.

We’ll end the day with an aperitivo as the sun sets, followed by a gourmet dinner at the exquisite La Gallina restaurant, part of the award-winning Villa Sparina Estate, known for its exceptional wines and charming hospitality.

[fa icon="plus"] Day 3

Gavi - Benevello - 30 or 46 mls - Rolling

This morning, we pedal through Acqui Terme to the hills and ridges of Alta Langa via the Bormida River Valley, crossing another part of the Monferrato area. Monferrato is not as well-known as Langa, and wine tourism does not bring many people there. That said, we consider it a hidden gem for cycle tourism.

Founded by Greek colonists, Acqui Terme has been well-known for its hot springs since Roman times. We’ll regroup in Piazza della Bollente where a fountain with thermal water stands in the middle.

We stop along the way in the authentic village of Monastero Bormida. We won’t spoil it, but this place offers a good photo op with a unique landmark.

The picnic menu - in Castino - features focaccia and local specialties, such as robiola di Roccaverano cheese.

We arrive at our charming hotel where the pool awaits us.

[fa icon="plus"] Day 4

Benevello - Alba - 26 mls - Hilly

Today we’ll say farewell to Benevello and ride to Alba while dropping in elevation. We pedal the first 5 miles on a ridge, which is part of the Alta Langa, the highest and wildest portion of this territory. The views are stunning.

The vegetation here sees hazelnut-topped woodland covering the slopes of the round and gentle hills. These hazelnuts are harvested by the ton and transported to the Ferrero factory in Alba to make the famous Nutella spread, as well as Italian Gianduja chocolates, which you should of course try!

Our first stop is in Neive. Neive is not on the usual wine routes, but for that reason it is still very authentic. Take your time here and have your cameras ready. Time to enjoy life and to appreciate slow-travel the Tourissimo way!

We spend two nights in Alba, the elegant capital of the white truffle, also nicknamed the town of a hundred towers. Only a few of these fine red-brick towers have survived, but they still give the town its distinctive appearance.

[fa icon="plus"] Day 5

Barolo loop - 33 mls - Hilly

Today’s ride starts out with an ascent to Serralunga and Monforte. In Barolo, we’ll visit one of the classic Barolo producers where you will have an instructive explanation of the King of Wine’s production and differences.

Between Barolo and Monforte you’ll ride past rows of nebbiolo vines cultivated by such legendary producers as Renato Ratti, Bartolo Mascarello and Roberto Voerzio. La Morra is considered the balcony of the Langa region because of its wonderful views of the entire area.

In the distance, you will spot Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d’Alba, and also Grinzane Cavour. The 13th-century Grinzane Cavour castle, once home to the famous strategist Cavour and now a regional wine cellar, also hosts a literary prize and a world-famous white truffle auction.

If we are lucky, majestic view of the Alps will accompany us for the majority of today’s ride.

This evening, we will partake in an Italian tradition: l’aperitivo (a must in Alba). Dinner is at one of the best restaurants in town.

[fa icon="plus"] Day 6

Transfer

Transfer to the Turin airport after breakfast. It is also possible to extend your stay in Turin.

INFINITO XE Disc

Bianchi Via Nirone S

• Two professional tour guides throughout the program 

• All accommodations in two 4-star hotels, and one 3-star

• All breakfasts, all lunches, and four dinners 

• Wine and beer with meals, coffee, cappuccino, and gelato stops

• Tastings of wine and local specialties 

• Logistical support during the tour and luggage transfer 

• Shuttle at the beginning and at the end of the tour 

• All activities mentioned in the day-by-day description

• Bianchi bike rental

• GPS navigation and maps (digital)

We also include the finest Piedmontese Barolo and Barbaresco wines, as well as truffles included in one of the dinners

• Airfare

• Pre-tour hotel stays and post-tour hotel stays
• Personal expenses such as laundry and cell phone
• Guide gratuity
• E-bike upgrade

More Info

Food and Wine

The territory offers first class ingredients, that together with traditions handed down from generation to generation, allow you to enjoy the authentic Piedmontese dishes. The egg pasta used to prepare the tajarin, or plin, ravioli is homemade and the precious veal meat from the Province of Granda (name of the province of Cuneo in local dialect) is the basis for the preparation of ancient recipes like hand-chopped raw meat, cold veal with tuna sauce and red wine braised meat. The simplest dishes are usually the most delicious and they look like they have been specially created to espouse the most precious autumnal ingredient, the Alba White Truffle, which will enhance their perfumes and tastes. In fact, the Slow Food movement was born in Bra (near Alba). The regional wine production boasts the most DOCG appellations of any other region in Italy, and during the week we will learn about Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Arneis and many other indigenous grapes.

Type of riding

The riding itself is hilly and extremely scenic with beautiful ridges and rolling hills. Days are fairly short (except for day 4) but the terrain will ask for several power bursts which are always rewarded by stunning views. On a clear day, snow-capped Mount Blanc and Mount Rose appear closer than they really are and are easy to spot. On the western side, one can easily recognize the triangular shape of Mount Viso where the Po River rises (the main river in Italy running all the way to the Adriatic Coast south of Venice).

Hills of Barolo Cycling Tour