Piedmont - La Strada del Vino

Nestled in the north-west of the country, bordered by the Alps and neighbouring France and Switzerland, Piedmont is a hidden gem full of delights for cyclists, food lovers, and culture enthusiasts alike. While some other regions of Italy may seem to be more obvious as 'cycling destinations', Piedmont has a proud cycling heritage of its own and has produced many great riders, none more legendary than Fausto Coppi, the 'Campionissimo' (Champion of Champions), World Champion, five-time Giro d’Italia winner, and two-time Tour de France champion.

During our tour, we’ll explore the lesser-known Monferrato area, located just southeast of Piedmont's capital, Turin, as well as the regions of Langhe and Roero; true paradises for wine lovers. These areas are among Italy’s most renowned wine-producing regions, famous for Barolo, Nebbiolo, and Spumante d’Asti. The Langhe and Roero are also the birthplace of the Slow Food movement and are celebrated for their prized Alba white truffles and abundant hazelnut crops. This is the home of Ferrero Rocher and the very region where the original Nutella spread was created!

The region has a rich cultural heritage and boasts numerous hilltop castles, the citadel fortress of Alessandria, the underground wine cellars of Canelli, and Govone’s Castello Reale, all of which, combined with its stunning cultivated landscapes, earned the area UNESCO World Heritage status in 2014. With its rolling hills terraced with vineyards, dense forests and gentle winding ridgelines, cycling through Piedmont is like riding through a living picture book as we pass ancient castles and hidden hilltop villages seemingly at every turn.

The adventure begins in Asti, renowned for its Spumante wines, before heading east through the Monferrato to Alessandria, then south to the thermal resort town of Acqui Terme. From there, we turn west toward Alba, the truffle capital and explore the scenic Langhe and Roero hills.

Each day offers breathtaking landscapes and opportunities to see, taste, and experience the region’s unique charm. Accommodations throughout are carefully selected family-run agriturismi and hotels.

Predominantly a point-to-point trip, this route takes us on a journey through the very best the region has to offer. We’ve also added in a couple of loop rides, so you can settle in for a few nights and really get to know the place. This gives us opportunity to pause and wander the charming cobblestone towns or savour a glass of local red or sparkling wine in a quaint piazza, without the hassle of packing and moving on.

Highlights

• Cycling through rolling hills terraced with vineyards and quaint medieval villages
• Capturing beautiful views that stretch as far as the Alps
• Admiring castle topped villages which lend a historic romantic feel to the area
• Tasting some of the best wines in Italy in the regions they are produced; Barolo, Barbaresco and Asti
• Feasting on some of the best regional food in Italy, including truffles, cheeses and hazelnut Gianduia chocolates!