Piedmont Truffle Bike Tour

Welcome to Piedmont! Your guides will meet you at the Tortona train station, then it’s off to our friend Michela’s farmhouse and winery for a true Piedmontese welcome. Enjoy focaccia fresh from the wood-fired oven during your introduction to the area’s deep-rooted winemaking culture. After lunch, we’ll get fitted to our bikes and begin riding along vine-clad ridges to the town of Acqui Terme. Beyond the thermal waters and Belle Époque architecture is a climb to Guido’s beautiful farmhouse hotel, where we’ll toast to the trip ahead with a glass of Guido’s wine and join his mother, Clara, in the kitchen to learn the secrets of Piedmontese cuisine.

Meals: Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Alice Bel Colle, Castel Rocchero, Acqui Terme
Accomplished: 20 miles / 32 km, elevation gain: 539 meters
Shorter Option: 17 miles / 28 km, elevation gain: 375 meters
Accommodations: Cascina Marcantonio

Piedmont is the home of the Slow Food movement due in part to its high concentration of local products—especially cheeses. One of the best is the goat cheese made around the hilltop town of Roccaverano. Today, that cheese is our incentive as we ride, following the Bormida River out of Acqui and saluting the Roman aqueduct on our way. Climb out of the valley and arrive at one of the best Robiola producers, then continue riding to a local restaurant with a reputation for serving Piedmont’s best plin, a typical small handmade ravioli—quite the distinction in a region where everyone’s mother makes plin. After lunch, transfer to our next hotel or continue biking to its luxurious front doorstep. Tonight, we dine at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Denice, Loazzolo, Santo Stefano Belbo
Accomplished: 40 miles / 66 km, elevation gain: 1,469 meters
Shorter Option: 27 miles / 44 km, elevation gain: 813 meters
Accommodations: Relais San Maurizio

Today begins with a scenic loop ride through a landscape of UNESCO-listed valleys and vine-covered hills. After a panoramic ridgeline descent, we reach the first of Piedmont’s renowned Nebbiolo grape-growing regions: Barbaresco. We’ll stop for a tasting with one of the region’s most historic producers before pedaling to the village of Barbaresco itself for lunch at a gourmet osteria. Afterwards, opt for some extra kilometers or head straight back to the hotel and hit the spa. This evening, another Michelin-starred meal awaits at Ciau del Tornavento, where the eminent wine cellar lends itself to thoughtful wine pairings with our dinner.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Castagnole, Barbaresco, Bricco
Accomplished: 26 miles / 42 km, elevation gain: 751 meters
Longer Option: 37 miles / 59 km, elevation gain: 959 meters
Accommodations: Relais San Maurizio

Say goodbye to San Maurizio as we ride into 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 hazelnut trees, the raw material for Nutella, a local invention. Also flourishing around the roots of hazelnut trees are Piedmont’s famous truffles, so we’ll stop mid-morning to join our friend and his truffle-sniffing dog on an exciting hunt for these elusive morsels. Both truffles and nocciole (as hazelnuts are called) are featured in countless Piedmontese dishes—we’ll sample more than a few at an exceptional hazelnut farm and bakery. It’s only proper for our hazelnut-themed lunch to conclude with a sweet selection of hazelnut cakes and desserts. This afternoon, pedal over one final ridge and revel in the thrilling descent to our hotel in the medieval village of Monforte. This evening, dine wherever you please in the thriving local restaurant scene.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Destinations: Castino, Cravanzana, Monforte d’Alba
Accomplished: 34 miles / 55 km, elevation gain: 1,310 meters
Longer Option: 48 miles / 77 km, elevation gain: 1,647 meters
Accommodations: La Ribezza or Palas Cerequio

Our route out of town takes us through the heart of the Barolo region, following roads through the village of Barolo itself and up to the heights of La Morra to marvel at one of the most sweeping views in all of Piedmont. Famous producers line our route and, depending on the season, a few may still be harvesting their last Nebbiolo grapes. Our destination is Alba, the well-heeled gourmet capital at this time of year and host of the Fiera del Tartufo (white truffle fair). Stroll the bustling streets and pick up a few truffles to take home, then settle in for a gourmet lunch at a local restaurant before riding back to our hotel. This evening, we’re treated to a vertical Barolo tasting dinner that will take us through several vintage bottles from a pivotal producer.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Barolo, La Morra, Alba
Accomplished: 18 miles / 29 km, elevation gain: 344 meters
Longer Option: 32 miles / 52 km, elevation gain: 979 meters
Accommodations: La Ribezza or Palas Cerequio

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

Meals: Breakfast