The hilly part is highlighted above all in the Langhe, Alta Langa and Roero hills, which have rightly become famous, because some of the greatest Italian wines are produced here.
Alba is reachable, coasting Roddi, part of the municipality of Verduno, dominated by the castle, an eighteenth-century residence. Towards the south we arrive at La Morra, an enchanting lookout over the rolling hills of the Langhe. Once past the Volta castle, go down to Barolo where are located the Regional Enoteca, and the the Wine Museum (WiMu), which proposes to its visitors an interesting journey in the history of the wine, through cinema, literature, art, cooking, music with international and local traditions. Moreover it celebrates also the people who lived in.
From Barolo, head towards Novello and from here continue to Monforte d’Alba. After a visit to the historic centre we reach Serralunga: its castle, which is open to the public, it is a wonderful example of a medieval fortress, around which the village develops in concentric rings. Going back to Alba, you will skirt the Fontanfredda area, the estate that was the meeting place between Vittorio Emanuele II and the Bela Rosin. You reach Grinzane Cavour, where you can visit the castle, which houses inside, the Regional Enoteca, curated by the order of the Knights of the Truffle and the Wines of Alba.
Starting from Alba, after crossing the ancient Pertinace hamlet, you will reach Barbaresco, a small town that gives its name to the famous wine and which is home to the Regional Wine Cellar, set up in the deconsecrated church of San Donato. Deviating towards Neive, a delightful historic centre, which is home of the ‘Bottega dei Quattro vini’, you can reach Mango, located straddling between the Belbo and Tanaro Valleys, dominated by the seventeenth-century castle, which currently houses the Regional Moscato Enoteca. In the hamlet of San Donato you can visit the ‘Cappella dei ricordi’, a museum of family archives. The itinerary ends in Santo Stefano Belbo, the largest production centre for moscato, birthplace of the writer Cesare Pavese, to whom has been dedicated a Study Centre, open to the public.
From Alba, in the Middle Ages, ancient commercial routes branched off, linking the Ligurian ports with the Piedmontese plain, the so-called “Salt roads”. From Benevello you reach Borgomale, with the imposing castle called “castle of the five towers”. Beyond the bridge of Campetto, an ancient crossroads and stopping point with the old mill and the tavern, turn right towards Bosia, where excellent cheeses are produced.
Go to Cravanzana and reach Torre Bormida with its terraced vineyards, then descend to Cortemilia, village of Roman origin, today the largest production centre of the typical Gentle Round hazelnut of the Langhe. Definitely worth a visit is Bergolo, also known as the “stone village“, the smallest of the Alta Langa. Continue in the direction of Levice to reach Prunetto and Monesiglio, dominated by the respective medieval castles, up to Mombarcaro, considered the roof of the Langhe due to the suggestive panoramic views. After passing the hamlet of Bragioli, take the state road and turn right to reach Murazzano, where one of the four cheeses of the Cuneo province’s denomination of origin is produced (PDO). Continue towards Bossolasco, where, beyond the suggestive historic centre adorned with rose gardens, a stop at the Gothic church and at the Balestrino castle is essential.
Returning towards Alba, we come across numerous villages characterized by towers or castles: Serravalle Langhe, Cissone, Cerreto Langhe and Albaretto Torre. From Alba take the state road in the direction of Asti; after about 12 km turn left reaching Govone, dominated by the imposing Baroque style castle, whose east façade was realised by Guarini.
Continue through Priocca to Magliano Alfieri, with the seventeenth-century residence, home to a curious “Museum of plaster ceilings” and reach Castellinaldo where, in the cellars of the castle, the Bottega del Vino is housed. Continuing towards Canale, you can visit the Malabaila Castle dating back to the 13th century and the Enoteca del Roero. From Canale you reach Montà, embellished by the castle and the sanctuary of the Madonna dei Piloni. From here we proceed to Santo Stefano Roero and Monteu Roero, from where we can admire interesting glimpses of the characteristic fortresses. Now descend to Baldissero d’Alba, home to an ancient castle, rebuilt in the nineteenth century. In Baroli, an “Ornithological Observatory” is in operation at the Cascina Serralunga.
The itinerary in the Roero lands continues touching Ceresole d’Alba, Sommariva Perno, known for the cultivation of strawberries and the interesting historical centre dominated by the neo-Gothic castle, Pocapaglia with the fortified fortress, Monticello with the castle of the Counts Roero and Corneliano d’Alba with the splendid decagonal tower.
