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Piedmont-Cycling the Barolo Wine Hills
- Stay in a great accommodation, well known spa town and ancient wine producing estates
- Many occasions for tasting the best Italian wines and champagnes
- Gourmet food a plenty
- Rolling vineyards, and great views of the hills and Alps
- Authentic country towns and villages: Alba, Acqui Terme, Casale Monferrato, Asti
- Friendly people and quiet roads
From: 690 €
Tripcode: ITSB030
3.5 Comfort
Level 1 - EN:
Simple accommodation, often with multiple rooms like huts, cottages or guesthouses. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with shared bathrooms. All camping trips fall into this category.
Level 1 - EN:
Simple accommodation, often with multiple rooms like huts, cottages or guesthouses. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with shared bathrooms. All camping trips fall into this category.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
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2.5 Difficulty
Level 1:
Walking levels:
Trips with short walks of generally three to four hours (excluding breaks) and/or optional day excursions; flat or slightly hilly terrain using well kept paths.
Cycling levels:
Easy biking in nearly flat landscape; also possible for people with little or no bicycle experience. The daily distances are approximately 30-50 km in general. Bicycles with up to 3 gears can do the job. All our adult rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 1:
Walking levels:
Trips with short walks of generally three to four hours (excluding breaks) and/or optional day excursions; flat or slightly hilly terrain using well kept paths.
Cycling levels:
Easy biking in nearly flat landscape; also possible for people with little or no bicycle experience. The daily distances are approximately 30-50 km in general. Bicycles with up to 3 gears can do the job. All our adult rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
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Duration: 8 days
Details
A Luxurious taste of Italy
Rolling green hills, with the white peaks of the Alps as a backdrop, crossing the varied cradle of slow food movement, through the famous vineyards of Gavi, Barolo and Barbaresco. Taste the most famous regional dish: the spicy Bagna Cauda, many fine chocolates, cheeses and tasty salami's and of course, the king of truffles, the famous white truffle of Alba. The lands of the Langhe and Monferrato, still to a great extend unknown to many, are unique places. Here you will find lots of good food, good wine and very special accommodation. This is a region for enjoyers!
You start in the historic Spa town of Acqui Terme. Cycling through meadows and vineyards and meandering valleys topped with solid castles, you enter the area of the legendary Fausto Coppi. After crossing the fertile plain around Alessandria you reach the Monferrato hills. Here, remarkably enough, you hardly meet any tourists. The panoramas with the Alps in the background are magnificent. You'll visit charming, historical cities like Casale and Asti, both with labyrinths of cobbled streets and palazzo's, built from yellow Tuff stone. On the little squares, beneath the old arcades, you'll find inviting shady terraces. You continue on to Benevello and on the way you pass the hundred towered city of Alba, with Roman, Baroque and Gothic Architecture. This is also the centre of slow food and the famous Barolo and Barbaresco wines. From Benevello you make a lovely round tour, meandering over watersheds with astonishing views, through hazelnut woods and several chapels. Through the Bormida, valley, on a splendid little country lane, you'll cycle back to Acqui Terme, along the way there are several nice fortified villages and castles. One thing we promise: if you join, you will discover some of the regions finest restaurants.
Itinerary
Expand itinerary Collapse itineraryDay 1: Arrive in Acqui Terme
After your arrival and check-in in the hotel there may be some time left to make a stroll through this former Roman Spa centre.
Challenge: Travel to Acqui Terme
Villages along the way: Acqui Terme
Day 2: Ride to Gavi
You will cycle to Gavi through a delightful countryside of green, rolling hills. This is the region of the delicious white Gavi di Gavi wine and the homeland of the legendary Italian cyclist Fausto Coppi. You will overnight in a splendid wine estate-countryside hotel, with a fine and well know restaurant.
Challenge: 59 km
Villages along the way: Gavi
Day 3: Ride Gavi to Vignale Monferrato
Today you will pedal from Gavi to Vignale Monferrato (66 km). In the morning you will descend to the lower and flat lands along the Tanaro river, a tributary of the river Po. After lunch you will continue your cycle route. This is the easiest part of the trip that will lead you along some small villages and old, massive castles. A lot of them are build from the red bricks which are characteristic of the region. At the end of the day you arrive in the wine capital of the area, Vignale Monferrato, where you will stay for two nights in a charming wine estate.
Challenge: 69 km
Villages along the way: Gavi, Vignale Monferrato
Day 4: Ride Vignale Monferrato to Asti
Today you will make a nice and relaxed ride to the capital of the province: Asti (50 km; ascend 280m). Before you get there you will cycle through rolling Barbera wine hills passing picturesque villages like Fubine, Montemagno and Portacomaro. In the town of Asti, who's history goes back to the Neolithic age, you will overnight in a right in the historic centre. You can discover this so-called city of 100 towers right from the front door. So stroll along the Tower dei Comentini (13th century), the octagonal Torre de Regibus and Torre Troyana (13th century), as well as the ancient Rossa di San Secondo, built during the reign of the Roman Emperor Augustus. Besides those towers Asti has a lot more to see.
Challenge: 50 km
Villages along the way: Asti
Day 5: Ride Asti, Alba to Benevello
The tour from Asti to Benevello (55 km) brings you right in the heart of one of the most prestigious wine regions of Italy: the beautiful land of Barolo. You will pass the city of Alba, capital of the hilly area of the Langhe famous for his white truffles, hazelnuts, peaches and top class wines. Take your time to visit the old centre, with pre-Roman origins. Of the Roman city, which had a polygonal form, you can still see parts of fortified gate and remains of some edifices with marbles and mosaics. After Alba you still have to cycle 15 km through a more hilly area to Benevello. The last climb is worth the effort as here you will stay in a very comfortable and stylish accommodation, a historic farmhouse, which has been recently completely restored.
Challenge: 57 km
Villages along the way: Alba, Benevello, Borgomale
Day 6: Benevello round trip
The real cyclists will enjoy this beautiful and also a bit strenuous round tour (44 km). Most of the route goes through the area of the so called Alte Langhe. Here, around old villages like Serravalle and Cissone, are grown one of the best quality of hazelnuts, used as the base for the famous Gianduia chocolate and in some of the delicious deserts for which the Cucina Piemontese is well-known. Turning back in a northerly direction you will follow nice, winding back roads along steep Nebbiolo and Barbera vineyards and when the skies are clear, you can have spectacular views on the Alps.
Challenge: 23 km or 32 km
Villages along the way: Borgomale
Day 7: Benevello to Acqui Terme
Your last cycling route (52 km) leads you from Benevello back to Acqui Terme, the place where you started a week ago. It will be a nice and summary of all the beautiful things you have seen in the Piedmont wine hills. Enjoy this relaxed riding day as most of it is along the Bormida River, have a look around in the old villages of Cessole and Bubbio and the wonderful bridge at Monastero Bormida. Once you have arrived in Acqui Terme take your time to do some Italian shopping, because this town is really well assorted sorted.
Challenge: 54 km
Villages along the way: Acqui Terme
Day 8: Departure from Acqui Terme
The trip ends after breakfast.
Practical info
Included:
- 7 nights accommodation all rooms with private en-suite bathroom
- 7 nights on Bed & breakfast basis
- Luggage transfer from day 2 to day 8
- 24-hour Telephone assistance (simple puncture not covered)
- Detailed road book and maps
Not Included:
- Flights and public transportation
- Bike rental
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Admissions and entrance fees of any kind (when not previously agreed upon)
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal extras and expenses such as meals, drinks, phone calls, etc.
- Any items that have not been mentioned in the program
Optional Services:
- 21 speed hybrid men's bike hire, helmet (puncture repair kit, pump, lock, map holder) Bike is picked up and dropped off at 1st and last hotel.
- Airport Arrival and departure transfer
- Guided tour of Turin, Alba or Asti with a local private city guide
Extra Overnight:
Additional night/s in Turin, Milan or any of the accommodation on the way
Getting there and away:
Best arrival & departure airport: Milan Malpensa or Linate, Turin or Genoa airports. Train to Aqui Terme
Best arrival & departure Stations: Acqui Terme train station
Reviews
Start: Acqui Terme
Finish: Acqui Terme
Dates & prices
Trip availability: Any day from 1/4 to 30/11
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| triple room: | 690 €/person |
| twin room: | 820 €/person |
| double room: | 820 €/person |
| single room: | 1060 €/person |
| solo, single room: | 1335 €/person |
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| triple room: | 710 €/person |
| twin room: | 840 €/person |
| double room: | 840 €/person |
| single room: | 1090 €/person |
| solo, single room: | 1370 €/person |
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| triple room: | 720 €/person |
| twin room: | 855 €/person |
| double room: | 855 €/person |
| single room: | 1105 €/person |
| solo, single room: | 1385 €/person |
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| triple room: | 715 €/person |
| twin room: | 845 €/person |
| double room: | 845 €/person |
| single room: | 1100 €/person |
| solo, single room: | 1375 €/person |
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| triple room: | 710 €/person |
| twin room: | 840 €/person |
| double room: | 840 €/person |
| single room: | 1090 €/person |
| solo, single room: | 1370 €/person |
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| triple room: | 720 €/person |
| double room: | 855 €/person |
| twin room: | 855 €/person |
| single room: | 1105 €/person |
| solo, single room: | 1385 €/person |
Other prices
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| hybrid bike and bags: | 117 €/person |