Cycling the Wine Villages of Piedmont

cycling elevations

Day 1: Arrive at Benevello

Arrive at your stunning hotel just below Benevello. For dinner, you can head out to a local restaurant or book a table in the hotel's superb restaurant.
You stay at Villa d'Amelia (breakfast included)

Day 2: Benevello to Neive 35km/22mi

You'll start today with a gentle ride along an open road, with hawks soaring high above the breathtaking Langhe countryside. You visit lovely Mango, with its beautiful castle rich in WW2 history. Then on to San Stefano Belbo, the birthplace of one Italy's greatest writers, Cesare Pavese; the pretty old town makes for a lovely lunch stop. On the way to Neive, your cycle ride takes you past the famous Moscato vineyards before you arrive at your hotel, which boasts wonderful views over the verdant hills with vineyards cascading down.
You stay at the Hotel Villa Lauri (breakfast included)

Day 3: At Neive

Neive is a great place to explore. Officially one of Italy's prettiest villages and home of Romano Levi, a renowned grappa maker, you can wander its cobbled streets that are lined with brightly-coloured flower boxes, or after a morning by the panoramic pool, cycle or take a local bus to nearby Barbaresco for lunch and cheese-tasting in the piazza. Enjoy some wine in the enoteca, housed in a 19th century church built by the locals in thanks for a good grape harvest! Or head across to the spumante capital of Asti, with its quaint cobbled centre. Each September the main piazza is home to a crazy palio horse race to rival Siena's!
You stay at the Hotel Villa Lauri (breakfast included)

Day 4: Neive to Fontanafredda 40km/25mi

Leaving Neive behind, you undulate through the vineyards to Castagnole Lanze, before heading downhill to the River Tanaro to enjoy a lovely gentle ride along the river to Alba. There's time to explore the cobbled streets and bustling piazze of chocolate-perfumed Alba (the home of Ferrero Rocher). Continue to Grinzane Cavour with its UNESCO recognised castle before ending the day in Fontanafredda.
You stay at the Hotel Diffuso Le Case dei Conti Mirafiore (breakfast included)

Day 5: At Fontanafredda

Enjoy wine tasting in the historic wine cellars at your hotel, once owned by Italian royalty, or head to the atmospheric wine village of Serralunga d'Alba. Alternatively perhaps visit nearby Bra, a gastronomic treasure trove where the Slow Food movement was initiated - there's plenty of choice for a long, lazy lunch! There's lots to explore in the town too, including the 18th century Rococo church and the strange octagonal Zizzola, where local witches held their meetings. For the best views in the region, cycle to La Morra, 'Balcony of the Langhe', spread out along a panoramic ridge above the vineyards.
You stay at the Hotel Diffuso Le Case dei Conti Mirafiore (breakfast included)

Day 6: Fontanafredda to Monforte d'Alba 26km/16mi

You'll cycle first through sunflower fields to Roddi, then on to Barolo, an ochre-hued village perched above its world-famous vineyards. The tangle of mediaeval streets are dominated by the Marchesi Falletti's 11th century castle. Pedal on through archetypal Langhe countryside to Monforte d'Alba, whose lovely honey-coloured old town clings enchantingly to the hillside. Your hotel here is special too.
You stay at Villa Beccaris (breakfast included)

Day 7: At Monforte d'Alba

You might not want to leave your gorgeous 18th century villa hotel with private swimming pool, but it'd be a shame not to explore mediaeval Monforte. It's a lively town with attractive buildings grouped around an atmospheric cobbled piazza. Maybe strike out a little further to Dogliani, dominated by its beautiful onion-domed church and famous for being at the heart of Dolcetto wine production.
You stay at Villa Beccaris (breakfast included)

Day 8: Monforte d'Alba to Benevello 21km/13.5mi or 35km/22mi

Your final cycling day starts with a gentle coast along the Rea valley before a steady climb takes you to a stunning panoramic ridge. Weave through fields of wildflowers and sleepy hamlets to Serravalle Langhe, a great lunch spot with belvedere views. You pedal onwards alongside chestnut-carpeted hills with delightful vistas once more to reach your beautiful country hotel at Benevello, where you can enjoy the pool and Jacuzzi.
You stay at Villa d'Amelia (breakfast included)

Day 9: Leave Benevello