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Piedmont Biking

Piedmont Biking

Northern Italy's Piedmont revealed its treasures to the world at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. Now Backroads shows off the region's many riches, from its alpine splendor, undiscovered villages and fortified castles to its robust wines and sophisticated French-accented delicacies (white truffles, fragrant cheeses, exquisite pastries and fine chocolates, to name a few). Join us for heart-pumping rides through river valleys and up vineyard-draped hills, where dozens of tasting rooms welcome visitors. Discover ridgetop hamlets whose eateries will tempt you to linger (this is the land of the Slow Food movement, after all). And luxuriate in a trio of elegant hotels.

Day 1 saluzzo

Meet in Torino Shuttle to our picnic spot, where a lavish spread awaits Enjoy a flat warm-up spin on a bike trail in the Po Valley with stellar views of the distant Moviso Alps Stop in Saluzzo, once a flourishing medieval center and now a well-preserved gem known for its red-brick old town, churches and hilltop castle For a more vigorous ride, continue to the fresco-filled Castello di Manta.

Days 2-3 monforte d'alba

Follow corkscrew roads into the hills of the rural Langhe, a gourmet’s paradise known for its pungent white truffles, soft fresh cheeses and hazelnuts Consider stopping at a few enoteche regionali, wine cellars offering only wine produced within several miles of the cellar Visit the five towns of Barolo, including La Morra, which offers a splendid vista of the Langhe landscape.

Days 4-6 santo stefano belbo

Enjoy a picnic on the grounds of a privately owned 17th-century castle in San Martino de Alfieri, followed by a tour of the cantina and a wine tasting Visit the Savoy castle in Govone, a World Heritage site Follow bike trails along the Tanaro River, where big red Barbaresco wine is born.

big map Piedmont Biking

LIFE LIVED WELL : Premiere Inns

Antico Podere Propano (1 night): Near town, yet still surrounded by fields and offering views of the Monviso Alps, this refined abode with a spacious central courtyard dates to 1525 and has the atmosphere of a private country estate.

Villa Beccaris (2 nights): An elegant 18th-century hilltop hideaway set on park-like grounds with vineyards on one side and the historic center of Monforte d’Alba on the other.

Relais San Maurizio (2 nights): A member of Relais & Châteaux, this former Franciscan monastery is now a luxurious hotel celebrated for its serene hilltop setting, Caudalie Vinotherapy spa and Michelin-starred restaurant featuring superb Piedmontese cuisine.

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Piedmont Biking
Trips For All Abilities

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level Average Time Average Distance
    Biking Walking & Hiking
Level 1 2-3 hours 10-20 mile 2-5 miles
Level 2 2-4 hours 21-30 miles 5-7 miles
Level 3 3-5 hours 31-40 miles 7-9 miles
Level 4 4-6 hours 41-55 miles 9-11 miles
Level 5 5-7+ hours 56-75+ miles 11-13+ miles
2008 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS

Reserve early for the best available price. Prices may change during the course of the year--if they do change, the best prices are available earlier. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.

Trip praise

This was a fantastic trip. The region was breathtaking and I could tell that tremendous care and planning went into making it all that it could be. Steve and Molly had such passion and excitement about the trip and that made our experience so much richer.
Marsha Mercant - Montclair, NJ
The trip was perfect in every way. The hotels were great and got better as we went along. I loved the restaurants. The trip had a perfect balance of biking, eating and cultural experiences. Everyday we did a fun cultural outing like grappa tasting, wine tasting, looking at a remote Sol Lewitt chapel, wine tasting, special picnics with Italian countesses and more. Each experience made me feel like I was an insider and not just an ordinary tourist. I loved these extra experiences and they made the biking day feel very special. I learned a lot about the region from the Backroads leaders.
Micki Turner - Berkeley, CA
Piedmont is really an unbelievable region to explore-from the famous vineyards to the beautiful, medieval hill towns replete with castles and palazzos. And quite honestly, going by bike is the best way to experience the area.
Edmund Wick - Lancaster, NY