Vineyards of Barolo Walk

Location: Piedmont, Italy. Holiday type: Independent walking, hotel-to-hotel. Managed locally by Headwater employed rep. Activity level: 2 boots Duration: 9 days (8 nights) Hotels: A mix of luxury/stylish, friendly/quirky. Meals: Continental breakfast and evening meals. Prices from: Please call. Departs: Every two days from 11 May '12 to 14 Oct '12   JFMAMJJASOND

Highlights Superb hotels, world-famous wines and exceptional cuisine are just some of the reasons to choose this 8-night walking holiday! The route takes you through softly rolling hills, sun-drenched hamlets and via the pretty wine towns of Barbaresco and Barolo.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive at Benevello

We meet you at Cuneo train station and take you to your hotel (75 mins) in time for a swim before dinner. The recently awarded Michelin-starred chef trained under Marco Pierre White so you're in for quite a treat!

Day 2 - Benevello to Grinzane Cavour 10km/7mi/3.5hr

After a short transfer you follow a gentle path alongside the clear waters of the Tanaro river, next to which pheasants and partridges rustle in the oak forest. Onto Roddi (the castle here used to house the University of Truffle Hounds!) and Grinzane Cavour with its wonderful megalithic castle with amazing views. Time for a drink on the terrace at our welcoming 4* hotel in the village centre before dinner.

Day 3 - At Grinzane Cavour

Grinzane Cavour is an atmospheric wine town with wine tasting on offer in the village's imposing castle. Gastronomic capital, Alba is easily reached from here (most customers tend to taxi or bus there, then walk back); explore the cobbled crimson squares and bustling porticoed streets.

Day 4 - Grinzane Cavour to Castiglione Falletto 12km/7mi/4hr

Following lush paths with hawks cruising overhead you cross the Talloria river. Then a gentle climb through holm oak to reach Serralunga d'Alba, whose 13C castle seems to surge towards the sky - you still need to cross the drawbridge to visit it. A last gentle ascent through vines takes you to the centre of Castiglione Falletto and our welcoming village hotel.

Day 5 - At Castiglione Falletto

Perhaps follow a circular route today, first visiting tiny Annunziata with its frescoed chapel (and an excellent farmhouse trattoria!). Then through sun-dappled hamlets and delicate swaying vines to reach La Morra, the 'Balcony of the Langhe' - plenty of wine tasting in the bustling centre, even Julius Caesar stopped here to try some!

Day 6 - Castiglione Falletto to Monforte d'Alba 8km/5mi/2hr or 11km/7mi/4hr

Descending gently to the Talloria valley, you follow the stream's poplar-shaded path towards the ochrehued C16 castle of Barolo, which stands guard over the village's world-famous vineyards. Maybe visit panoramic Novello, a belvedere town built as a summer retreat for the residents of Alba, before continuing through fields ablaze with colourful wild flowers to reach our elegant villa hotel at Monforte d'Alba.

Day 7 - At Monforte d'Alba

Situated in its own scented garden with views across mediaeval Monforte and beyond (even Mont Blanc on a clear day!) Villa Beccaris offers a tempting swimming pool and a sun-trap courtyard. However, there are plenty of walking choices if you're feeling more energetic with way-marked paths taking in frescoed chapels and verdant countryside.

Day 8 - Monforte d'Alba to Benevello 13km/8mi/5hr

A lift to lovely Serravalle Langhe, from where you join the Sentiero della Valle Tanaro. At first shaded by hazelnut, oak and poplar trees, you reach Albaretto della Torre dominated by its 13C Duecentesca tower. After lunch the panorama opens out with spectacular views back to Alba and the Tanaro valley as you descend gently towards Benevello. Time for one last swim before dinner.

Day 9 - Leave Benevello