Piedmont Bike Tour: Barolo, Barbaresco, and Beyond (6 days)

Welcome to Piedmont! Your guides will meet you at the Tortona train station, then it’s off to the countryside for a homemade lunch with our friend Michela at her historic family winery. Take in your first views of Piedmont’s iconic vineyards before we hop on our bikes and ride along vine-clad ridges through this booming Barbera-producing region. Our destination is the converted monastery of San Maurizio, a luxurious Relais & Châteaux property with meticulously manicured grounds and unsurpassed views of Dolcetto and Moscato vineyards. Enjoy a glass of wine or relax by the pool before regrouping for dinner at their renowned ristorante.

Shorter Option: 17 miles / 27 km, elevation gain: 1,601 feet / 488 meters

Ride out of San Maurizio this morning and cross into the Nebbiolo-producing region of Barbaresco, where countless small, artisanal producers cultivate their grapes amidst these bucolic hills. Pedal into the village of Barbaresco to savor the simple pleasures of Italian life with a leisurely coffee on the piazza. Continue on to meet a small Barbaresco producer for an intimate luncheon and wine tasting set against a backdrop of breathtaking views at a lovingly-restored cascina (Piedmontese farmhouse). After lunch, challenge yourself with the ride back to the hotel or opt for a transfer for some extra pampering time at the spa. Tonight we’ll visit our friend Cristina for a convivial evening of preparing local dishes that unlock the secrets of Piedmontese cuisine.

Shorter Option: 20 miles / 32 km, elevation gain: 1,876 feet / 572 meters

Ride into the wildest parts of the Langhe today: impossibly narrow roads, crumbling medieval towers, and endless hazelnut trees line the route. The remote nature of the area made it a hotbed of Resistance activity during WWII and, to this day, monuments to these partisan fighters punctuate the hilly landscape. Given the abundance of nocciole (hazelnuts) here, our ultimate destination today is our friend Isabella’s hazelnut farm for a hazelnut-themed lunch of sweet and savory dishes. The ride back follows a ridgeline with some of the most spectacular vistas in the region. Tonight, we’ll visit the Barbaresco-producing village of Neive for a chance to taste the full range of Nebbiolo wines at a hip new restaurant.

Accomplished: 32 miles / 52 km, elevation gain: 3,293 feet / 1,004 meters

Say goodbye to San Maurizio as we ride to the Barolo region. Our route follows the crest of the Langhe ridgeline with views towards the Apennines and the Alps. The hills here are lined with hazelnuts and vineyards, with prized Piedmontese truffles hidden below ground. Our friend Silvio—a truffle hunter and cheesemaker—is a keeper of Piedmont’s gourmet treasures, and we’ll taste artisanal pecorino at his family farmhouse. After one more climb, our reward is a mouthwatering plate of tajarin pasta at our friend Massimo’s hilltop trattoria. A final thrilling descent brings us to our hotel in the medieval village of Monforte. This evening, you are free to choose a local restaurant for dinner in town.

Accomplished: 29 miles / 46 km, elevation gain: 3,460 feet / 1,055 meters

Longer Option: 35 miles / 56 km, elevation gain: 4,005 feet / 1,221 meters

Pedal out of town and through the vineyards to Grinzane Cavour, the castle and historic home of Italy’s first Prime Minister. A cappuccino stop is the fuel we need to climb to the wine villages of La Morra and Barolo, home to some of the most prized wine-growing terrain in the world—a map of its vineyards could be compared to a patchwork quilt of famous Barolos. Of course, our destination is a winery where we’ll celebrate the end of the ride with a private lunch and ample pours of some recent vintages. This evening, reconvene for a short walk through Monforte’s cobbled streets to a wonderful farewell dinner paired with world-class local wines.

Accomplished: 29 miles / 46 km, elevation gain: 2,998 feet / 914 meters

Longer Option: 36 miles / 58 km, elevation gain: 3,729 feet / 1,137 meters

Challenge yourself with an optional morning loop ride or take a last stroll through the town of Monforte. Enjoy a final breakfast in the limonaia. Your guides will then transfer you to the train station in Asti as you head on to your next destination.