Holidays
A Gourmet Journey Through Piedmont

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Holidays

A Gourmet Journey Through Piedmont

Italy

Available Departures: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov

8 days from

US$1,345

without flights

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Walk & Trek

Self-Guided

MODERATE

Explore Alba and Barolo and walk through the vineyards and hazelnut forests before discovering the regions culinary delights on this one week self-guided walking holiday in Piedmont

Trip Code: SGGP

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

For anyone who enjoys exploring on foot rather than always in a vehicle. A mixture of sightseeing and easier walking of around 2-5hrs a day. Walking paths could be around sites, through cities or on well marked trails and at lower altitudes (under 2500m). Regions are rarely flat so some ascent or descents could be expected but rarely above around 300 – 400m per day.

View leisurely holidays

All Grade Information

Section:

A Gourmet Journey Through Piedmont

Highlights

Wander through rolling hills covered in vineyards and enjoy views across to the Alps.
Enjoy sampling the full bodied Barolo wines for which the region is famed.
Explore Alba, the city of a hundred towers
Dine on the white gold of Italy – white truffles

At a Glance

6 days walking and sightseeing
Daily departures available
Join In Alba

Accommodation & Meals

7 Breakfasts
4 nights Hotel
3 nights Hotel with swimming pool

Overview

Discover the flavours, landscapes and traditions of Piedmont on this immersive walking holiday through the rolling hills of the Langhe. Beginning in Alba,the UNESCO-listed city of gastronomy, you’ll be welcomed by medieval towers, lively piazzas and the irresistible aromas of chocolate, truffles and world-class wines.

Your walks will take you through vineyards and along quiet trails from one hilltop village to another, taking in La Morra, Barolo and Monforte d’Alba to unveil panoramic views stretching to the Alps and snow-capped Mount Monviso. Venturing beyond the vineyards your itinerary will reveal another side of Piedmont, with fragrant hazelnut forests, shaded woodland paths and peaceful villages where life moves at a gentler pace. With walks of 8 to 15km you will find plentiful opportunities to sample the regions world class Barolo wines and truffles as you learn of Piedmonts history exploring historic castles and wine museums. Your holiday draws to an end in the beautiful Bormida Valley where terraced hillsides and Roman heritage provide the perfect setting to raise a glass to a fantastic to a week rich in flavour, landscape and tradition that captures the soul of Piedmont.

Staying in a handpicked selection of 3* and 4* family run hotels, some with swimming pools, you can be sure of a warm welcome and comfortable place to rest your head after a day on the trails. This really is a trip to enjoy La Dolce Vita!

Is this holiday for you?

This holiday is perfect for you if you are looking for unhurried days, walks which allow you to explore historic hilltop towns, and enjoy gourmet food and wine. The perfect immersion into Piedmont’s culture. A good level of fitness is recommended, with walks up to 15km a day with average ascents of 400-600m unveil authentic Italian villages.

Why KE?

We have expertly designed this holiday to provide the perfect balance of walking and indulgence, with plenty of time for wine tastings, local cuisine and relaxing in Piedmonts hypnotic charm.

Itinerary

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Day 1

Arrive in Alba, the city of a hundred towers.

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Arrive in Alba, known as the city of a hundred towers and the capital of the Langhe region. This captivating medieval town is perched on the hill overlooking the surrounding fruit fields and vineyards immersing you into the beauty of Piedmont from the get go. Depending on your arrival time you can check into your hotel for the evening and explore the old centre full of cosy squares inviting you to relax and enjoy a coffee. We must warn you the delicious smelling scent of chocolate in the air from the nearby Ferrero factory makes it very hard to resist a sweet treat to accompany your coffee. Listed as a UNESCO city of gastronomy you will certainly not be disappointed with your options for dining this evening, and of course the regions fine wines - the perfect start to your holiday.

Accommodation

Hotel

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Day 2

Explore the history of the regions Barolo as you cross the hilltop towns to Barolo.

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Waking up to the beauty of Alba you can enjoy a relaxed breakfast before taking a transfer to Roddi to begin your first walk of the week. Your walk today provides a great introduction to Peidmont. You will tackle the rolling hills to explore the hilltop villages of La Morra and Vergne, and are rewarded with stunning views of the often snow-capped Mt Monviso, as you make your way towards Barolo. Along your way you will have opportunity to experience the history of this key wine producing region, and of course you'll have plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the regions fine wines along the way. Arriving in La Morra you will have time to visit Cantina Comunale in la Morra (closed Tuesdays) where you can taste a wide selection of local wines (the Cantina houses wines from over 60 small surrounding vineyards) and enjoy some of the regions gastronomic delights. You may also wish to pay a visit to the Ratti Museum to learn about Renato Ratti, the father of the Barolo Crus, made from the nebbiolo grapes you find in the surrounding vineyards.

Continuing on your walk you pass through the traditional town of Vergne characterised by its narrow streets and stone houses before reaching your final goal of the day, Barolo, which gives its name to the regions wine. You will have time to unwind at your hotel before enjoying dinner in one of the local restaurants. Please note today may end in Vergne when accommodation is limited.

BAROLO WINE FESTIVAL: The town comes alive every September when the annual festival is held on the second Sunday of the month.

Accommodation

Hotel with swimming pool

Meals

Ascent

510 M

Descent

385 M

Time

4 hours

Distance

15 KM

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Day 3

Explore Barolo, both the wine and the town and walk to Monforte d'Alba.

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Feeling refreshed, today you will have time to explore Barolo, the Capital of Wine. Take a stroll to visit Castello La Volta high above the town, the perfect place to soak in the far-reaching views to the Alps and Mt Monviso which remains snow-capped until early summer. You may also wish to make a visit to the WiMi Wine Museum located in Castello dei Marchesi Falletti Barolo before enjoying lunch in one of the local trattorias where you can delight in the local delicacies.

Saying farewell to Barolo your walk takes you through the vineyards from which you have been enjoying their produce and into the fragrant, cool shade of the forest as you follow the trail towards today's goal, Monforte d'Alba.

Note, if you spent your evening in Vergne your day today will begin with the walk to Barolo, passing through the charming town of Novello with its Middle Aged tower and impressive façade of Castello di Novello. This short walk allows for plenty of time to explore Barolo before continuing on your route to Monforte d'Alba.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

Ascent

440 M

Descent

200 M

Time

3-4 hours

Distance

8 KM

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Day 4

Discover an alternative side to Piedmont as you walk through fragrant woodlands to Cissone.

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Having spent learned about the produce for which the region is famed, today your route will take you to experience another asset of the region, as you step beyond the vineyards and climb through pristine hazelnut forests. We recommend beginning your day with a walk through the photogenic streets of Monforte d'Alba in search of the historic town centre at the top. Here you will find the Horszowski Auditorium, a natural amphitheatre where you are rewarded with incredible views across the Peidmont landscape, and where concerts are held through the summer months. Take time to drink in its beauty before descending to commence your walk through the shade of the hazelnut trees, accompanied by a delightful nutty fresh scent. Continuing, you walk through the wild woodlands surrounding the ancient hamlet of Serralunga d'Alba before tackling your ascent to Roddino with its church spire and plaza at its heart. The perfect place to pause and enjoy a coffee before taking your final decent and climb to Cissone, your home for the evening.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

Ascent

810 M

Descent

665 M

Time

6 hours

Distance

15 KM

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Day 5

Relax in Cissone, explore the surrounding woodlands, vineyards and farmlands.

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Today's main objective is to relax and soak in the ambience of Piedmont. You will have the option of stepping out on a circular walk around the surrounding area or taking time to relax and enjoy the town and hotel. Cissone is surrounded by woodlands, vineyards and sheep farms providing a varied landscape to unwind and admire the towers and castles which are dotted amongst the landscape. Returning to Cissone perched upon the hill top you can enjoy a spot of lunch, perhaps sampling the delicious locally produced 'tome' cheese, a firm, pressed cheese made from sheep's milk. Enjoy a visit to the recently transformed cultural centre, the pretty chapel of Saint Mary, or the ancient castle ruins by the village square, a reminder of Cissone's long history. As the day draws to a close you can head to enjoy dinner in one of the local restaurants and perhaps sample the wines from the vineyards you have walked today.

FESTIVALS: In August the village comes alive with the celebration dedicated to Saint Louis.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

Ascent

300 M

Descent

300 M

Time

3 hours

Distance

8 KM

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Day 6

A walk for your taste buds through truffle country to Cravazana.

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Your route today will take you on a culinary experience as you say farewell to Cissone to walk through the high Langhe landscape, characterised by hazelnut forests, to reach your home for the evening in Cravanzana. Whist the Tonda Gentile delle Langhe hazelnuts which are harvested in the area you are delicious (particularly in hazelnut cake), it is in fact the Tuber Magnatum which is the star of the show. More commonly known as the white truffle, it is the most expensive type of truffle and the region is rich in this white gold. If you do not find any beneath your feet on today's walk you will certainly find them featuring heavily on menus in cafes and restaurants. Truffle season in the region is September to December and you may well see people out truffle hunting on your walks during this time.

Accommodation

Hotel with swimming pool

Meals

Ascent

370 M

Descent

550 M

Time

6 hours

Distance

13 KM

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Day 7

Walk to the Bormida Valley to Cortemilia and raise a glass to a fantastic week exploring Piedmont.

Show Details

Your final route of the week provides a wonderful variation of landscapes. Walking to the villages of Torre Bormida and Bergolo, characterised by their terraced hillside and far reaching views over the Bormida Valley. You will walk beneath the shade of hazelnut plantations and chestnut woods and venture along grassy trails and cobbled streets. This route is one which provides a summary of the region in a day. If you are lucky, you may once again get to enjoy breath-taking views across to the Alps which can be seen on a clear day. Your final destination of the week is the Roman town of Cortemilia, nestled in the valley beside the Bormida River, the source of life for this fruitful region and the perfect spot to end your trip and raise a glass to a fantastic week of exploring.

Accommodation

Hotel with swimming pool

Meals

Ascent

450 M

Descent

790 M

Time

5 hours

Distance

13 KM

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Day 8

Departure Day.

Show Details

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before saying Arrivederci to Cortemilia.

Meals

Hide Details

Download Trip Notes

The Route

Point

Airport

Direction

Transfer

Walk/Trek

Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

Holiday

General

Equipment

What's Included

All accommodation as described
Meals as described in the Meal Plan
Self-guided information pack containing your map and route notes
Luggage transfers
Navigation App and GPX tracks available

What's not Included

Travel insurance
Travel to Alba
Travel from Cortemilia
Public buses not in the programme
Visas (if applicable)
Tourist taxes may apply and are usually under 5 Euros per person per night
Some meals as described in the Meal Plan
Personal equipment
Any additional activities/excursions indicated as optional

Your Self-Guided Pack & Route Notes

Each self-guided holiday comes with comprehensive route notes and a map or pocket guidebook of the area you are exploring. The route notes contain information about the places you will visit and the local transport you might need, along with the detailed route notes for your daily walks or cycle rides. We even include some tips for the best places to stop for lunch.

You can expect to receive your Self-Guided Pack containing your route notes, a map or guidebook, and all your relevant documents, no later than 3 weeks before your holiday start-date. We will send your documents using a signed-for courier so that you can track your package and know that it is safely on its way to you. For bookings of more than 4 people we will send an additional Self-Guided Pack. If you do not need this additional pack please inform our Sales Team. Your pack will be sent to the lead booker, so please remind them to pack it before setting off.

Should your self-guided trip be part of a longer adventure requiring you to leave home more than three weeks before your holiday start-date, please inform our Sales Team so that we can make alternative delivery arrangements.

Self-Guided Families

Our Self-Guided Holidays are perfect for your next family holiday and are suitable for children of all ages.

Our partner hotels and accommodations are able to provide cots for young children, and some offer family rooms. We can also arrange hire of children’s bikes and tag along bikes for most of our self-guided cycling trips and with trips such as Lake Constance and the Danube offering routes on designated cycle paths you can rest assured in keeping your family safe.

As a parent we trust that you know your own child’s capabilities, so please read the itinerary details to ensure the distances covered each day are suitable for your family. If this is a first time walking or cycling holiday for your family, a centre-based trip is a fantastic option as it allows you to easily opt out of a day's walking if a day of building sand castles, swimming in the pool, or visiting museums is calling instead.

Please discuss this further with our Sales Team who will be happy to assist in picking the best trip for your family.

Meal Plan

This trip is on a bed and breakfast basis to allow you to enjoy dining at whichever local restaurants appeal most to you.

Special Diets

Whilst we can cater for vegetarians, albeit sometimes with a more limited choice, we cannot always provide for special diets. Due to the nature of some of the trips that we operate and the countries in which we operate them, it can be very hard (and sometimes impossible) to cater for a wide range of dietary choices and you may have to supplement your meals with food/snacks from home. If you have specific dietary requirements please do speak to our sales team and they will be able to advise you whether or not we will be able to offer your specific choice. Please note that we are unable to provide separate menus and cannot accept liability for any problems arising from special dietary requirements or intolerances.

Food & Water

Water from the taps is perfectly drinkable on this holiday - please use this to fill your personal bottles for your daily activities. We do not encourage the purchase of single-use plastic bottles.

Piedmont is one of Italy’s great food regions, celebrated for its simple, seasonal cooking and exceptional ingredients. Expect handmade pasta, rich risottos and slow-cooked meats, all elevated by world-class produce. Signature dishes include tajarin, delicate egg pasta often served with butter and shaved white truffle, and agnolotti del plin, small hand-pinched pasta filled with meat or vegetables.

Meat dishes such as brasato al Barolo, a beef slowly braised in the region’s most famous wine, reflect Piedmont’s slow-food heritage, while sheep’s and cow’s milk cheeses like toma and robiola showcase the area’s pastoral roots.

For those with a sweet tooth you can look forward to the tastes of the prized Tonda Gentile hazelnuts, found in cakes, pastries and rich chocolate, a nod to the region’s long chocolate-making tradition.

All of this is perfectly paired with Piedmont’s outstanding wines, from elegant Barolo and Barbaresco to approachable local reds, making every meal an essential part of the journey.

Accommodation

On this trip you can look forward to staying in comfortable 3-star and 4-star family run hotels in the towns and welcoming agro-tourismo’s and guesthouses in the small villages. Each accommodation has been selected for their warm hospitality and provide twin or double en-suite rooms and a typical Italian breakfast during your stay.

It is possible to arrange additional nights’ accommodation in Alba before the start of your trip if you wish to enjoy more time exploring the area and experiencing the many wineries in the area. It is also possible to arrange additional nights’ accommodation in Cortemilia if you would like a like time to relax and unwind after your week of walking. Please ask our sales team for details.

Baggage Allowance

Your main luggage will be transferred between each of your hotels while you are out on your walk. We ask that you please ensure your main luggage is limited to one piece under 20kg (and no larger than 65 x 40 x 30cm) per person and that your luggage is ready for collection each morning. Any additional pieces will incur an additional cost. Luggage with wheels is preferable for this holiday. You will also need a daypack to carry your daily essentials with you whilst you are walking.

Passport & Visas

The information that we provide is for UK passport holders.

A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

For other nationalities, please refer to your own Government website for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents including vaccinations and health certificates (see Health & Vaccinations below), and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check the FCDO for the latest advice for each country visited before travel.

Health & Vaccinations

Vaccinations

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations.

GHIC / Medical cover

UK residents should carry a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment when you're visiting an EU country or Switzerland. This is not a substitute for medical travel insurance which is vital when travelling overseas.

Severe Allergies

Please inform our KE Sales and Support team of any severe allergies you may have before travel. We will always do our best to help but we are unable to guarantee an allergy free environment on our KE trips. We advise that you always carry your own treatment for the allergy with you such as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' if required. We also recommend that you discuss this with your accommodation on arrival so that they can better assist you.

Currency

The currency for part or all of this holiday is the Euro.

Preparing for your Holiday

The advantage of a self-guided walking holiday is that you decide the pace however getting some additional exercise before coming on an active holiday makes a lot of sense. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable your walks will be. You should be comfortable with walking 4 – 6 hours for consecutive days. We suggest that you try to fit in a number of daily walks in hilly countryside before your trip and it’s always a good idea to spend some time walking in the footwear you are going to use on this holiday.

Climate

Piedmont, or more specifically the region around Alba has a moderately continental climate with cold damp winters and hot humid summers, often with snowfall through the winter months. This changeable climate makes for a colourful spring season with comfortable walking temperatures of 15-20 degrees whilst the summer is perfect for those who prefer it a little warmer with average temperatures of 23-26 degrees. Autumn bring the truffle season and temperature returning to 15-20 degrees.

Travel Aware

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware’ campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that before travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates directly from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

Single Use Plastic

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

Travel Insurance

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation. When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct. Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

Equipment List

Hiking boots with good-grip soles
Hiking socks
Long / short hiking trousers
Functional base layer top and leggings
T-shirts
Fleece / extra warm layer
Windproof jacket
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof trousers
Hat, gloves, and neck gaiter
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Sunhat
Small first aid kit inside your rucksack
Water bottle or hydration pack
Mobile Phone (ensure your data package covers your destination)
Power bank
Waterproof phone cover
Camera (and batteries / memory card)
Reusable sealable picnic boxes for picnics
Reusable cloth bag for shopping to avoid the use of plastic bags
Walking poles
Headtorch with spare batteries
Personal wash kit
Your self-guided route notes
Rucksack (approx. 20L)

View Dates & Prices

2026

Wed 1 Apr 2026 Thu 30 Apr 2026

US$1,345 per Adult per Adult

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A Gourmet Journey Through Piedmont
With Flights

Without Flights
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Fri 1 May 2026 Sun 15 Nov 2026

US$1,395 per Adult per Adult

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A Gourmet Journey Through Piedmont
With Flights

Without Flights
Download Trip Notes

Land Only Information

Please note our 'from price' listed is based on 4 persons in twin or double rooms, however we can quote for any number of travellers, including solo travellers, contact our sales team for a quote.

All of our self-guided holidays are sold on a Land Only basis allowing you the flexibility to choose the travel method which best suits you. You may even wish to make this holiday part of a bigger adventure or pair it with one of our other holidays. We can arrange additional nights accommodation before or after your self-guided trip, ask our sales team to find out more about this.

Our sales team will be happy to provide you a quote for scheduled flights or alternatively you may wish to book your own flights with a low cost carrier from your nearest regional airport.

Please DO NOT book your flights before you have received your booking confirmation and your deposit has been taken.

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, KE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.

KE Adventure is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 2808) and are bonded with ABTA (Membership No: W4341)

A Gourmet Journey Through Piedmont

Holiday Grades

Our Holiday Grades Explained

1 - 3 LEISURELY

A Gourmet Journey Through Piedmont

Highlights

At a Glance

Accommodation & Meals

Overview

Is this holiday for you?

Why KE?

Itinerary

The Route

Essential Information

Vaccinations

GHIC / Medical cover

Severe Allergies

DATES & PRICES

2026

More Information

More Information

Land Only Information

Flight Inclusive Information

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

Download Trip Notes

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A Gourmet Journey Through Piedmont

Holiday Grades

Our Holiday Grades Explained

1 - 3 LEISURELY

A Gourmet Journey Through Piedmont

Highlights

At a Glance

Accommodation & Meals

Overview

Is this holiday for you?

Why KE?

Itinerary

The Route

Essential Information

Vaccinations

GHIC / Medical cover

Severe Allergies

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DATES & PRICES

2026

More Information

More Information

Land Only Information

Flight Inclusive Information

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

Download Trip Notes

Get our latest articles and promotions straight to your inbox

KE 2568 Online Reviews

97%

Your Wishlist

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