Independent arrival Cuneo
Make your way to Cuneo and take some time to explore this elegant small city. Although not a mainstream tourist destination, the 12^th century historic center reserves many surprises for visitors with its squares, ancient buildings, and churches. Dinner is on your own tonight to allow for a relaxed first night. Overnight at the Hotel Principe di Piemonte (or similar) in Cuneo. Hotel included. Dinner not included.

The Lower Maira Valley
Start the day with a 45-minute transfer into the beautiful Maira Valley, which we will explore during our first two days together. The walk starts directly from the mountain inn where Marisa, Gigi and Francesco will host us for 2 nights. Take a quick look at your new home and pick up a packed picnic lunch before starting on your first walk along the scenic Trail of the Cyclamens. The 2.5-hour loop takes you through forests and along mountain slopes, providing a great start through abandoned medieval villages immersed in alpine scenery. After the walk you can relax at the inn and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Camoglieres or else take a trip with your guide to one of the tiny hamlets in the surrounding area. We all meet again this evening for a tasty dinner hosted in the inn’s courtyard. Overnight at the lovely Locanda del Silenzio Camoglieres. Details: daily distance 8.5 kms/ 5.3 mls; elev gain/loss 400m/1312 ft. Walking time 2h15’. Hotel, breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner included.

The Upper Maira Valley
This morning we have a 40-minute drive to the high mountain community of Elva, perched lonely on the mountainside and far from the main roads of the valley. We eventually arrive at 1,940 m (6,400 ft.) for the start of our walk from a hikers’ lodge. The walk is about 4 hours, mostly on wide forest roads surrounded by amazing alpine scenery. You’ll reach the highest point in the morning and then descend to Elva for lunch and a visit to see frescoes by a 15^th c. Flemish painter in the parish church. You can also have a look at the curious Hair Museum, which will take you back in time to better understand the local economy up to the 19^th century. Enjoy lunch at the local inn then continue your walk back up to the lodge past farmland and more dramatic alpine scenery. On the way back towards home we’ll stop and visit one of the few local producers who still work in the area. Your guides know cheese producers, bee keepers, and families who still produce the local liqueurs made from mountain herbs and they will do their best to organize a visit depending on the season. Another great day will end with dinner back at our inn. Overnight Camoglieres. Details: 8.5 kms/5.3 mls; 360m/1181ft. of elev gain/loss. Hotel, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

The Roero Region and its Clay Gorges
Transfer northwest this morning, out of the alpine valley and into the lower central part of the region. A 1.5-hour drive will take you to the hilltop town of Monteu, in the heart of the Rocche, a specific area of Roero where the clay terrain strongly influenced local agriculture, especially wine production. Our walk today is a short loop into the clay gorges between the medieval hilltop villages and along the Roero vineyards. Back in Monteu, visit the small winery Bajaj, where our friend Adriano will help us understand more about the winemaking in this region and tell us about his experimental productions. His mother, Mirella, will prepare a fabulous lunch with their homegrown organic produce. After lunch, visit the fascinating Castello di Monteu, whose history starts in 1041. History has of course left its trace on the castle, and amazingly it was a private residence until the 1950s. The area is also honeycombed with tunnels that were excavated by the locals, both for storage and as hideaways in times of banditry and war. Following the visit, a short transfer takes you to our hotel for the next two nights, a magnificent 18^th century villa that offers sweeping views over the rolling vineyards. The villa was accompanied by a barn and a farm manager's house, all of which was purchased by the neighboring Malvira winery and transformed into a chic boutique hotel with multiple terraces and a swimming pool. It is the perfect place to soak up the beauty of the surrounding countryside. Overnight at the Villa Tiboldi, near Canale. Details: 6 km/3.6 mi. Elev. gain/loss 178m/ 584ft 2h00’. Hotel, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

The Vineyard-Clad Hills of the Roero
A short transfer this morning takes you to the neighboring territory of Vezza d’Alba, one of the many hilltop towns of the Roero. Our walk starts in the low part of the valley along a forest track which goes up and down the hills of Vezza and along its slopes which have been transformed through the centuries into carefully maintained vineyards. Our morning 3-hour walk ends with a final steep push up the hill to the historical center of Vezza, where we will enjoy a relaxing lunch at a local Osteria. After lunch you have just over an hour of easy terrain through stunning landscapes to get back to the van. Return to the warm embrace of the Villa Tiboldi this afternoon to enjoy a visit and tasting in their cellars before a fancy gourmet dinner at the villa’s restaurant. Overnight Villa Tiboldi. Details: 12.5 km/ 7.8 mi; elevation gain/loss 400m/1312ft;  moving time 3h. Hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

Barolo & La Morra

Say good-bye to the Roero this morning and head into the heart of the Langhe region. Feast your eyes and your senses as you walk through the vineyards surrounding the world-famous town of Barolo. Our trail takes you above the town for spectacular views onto its brightly painted medieval castle and colorful houses. After skirting the valleys around the castle, we gradually walk down into the village to tuck into a delicious lunch paired with (of course!) a glass of Barolo wine. Afterwards, continue south to our elegant historical hotel in Verduno, which offers a magical atmosphere and commanding views over the countryside beyond. After a bit of downtime, embark on another culinary adventure as we have a fabulous cooking class at a nearby winery. Overnight at the Real Castello di Verduno. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.

Truffle hunt!

A twenty-minute drive takes us to the beautiful medieval town of Monforte, where we will have time for a short visit of its historical centre before starting our walk past vineyards and farmhouses to meet today’s special guest, a friendly truffle-hunting dog who will show us the secrets of finding this rare culinary treasure. Prized since ancient times, these underground "tubers" live in symbiosis with the roots of the local trees and develop a heady aroma and flavor that evoke the richness of the earth itself. The precious white truffle is so rare (it can't be cultivated) that it sells for around $5,000 per pound! So of course a friendly canine with a sensitive snout is necessary for locating them under the layers of leaves and moss, and we'll accompany our four-legged friend as she roams the woods in search of treasure. After the walk, settle in for a home-cooked meal featuring Piedmont's signature dish, homemade egg tagliatelle with shavings of truffle. Hopefully the truffle will be from today's hunt. In the afternoon you can choose to relax at the hotel or head back out with your guide for a final drive along the roads of the Langhe, maybe to visit some new hilltop gems like La Morra or to have more time in Barolo. Enjoy a final dinner at the fascinating restaurant of our hotel. Overnight Verduno. Hotel, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Departures to the Alba train station
Morning goodbyes and shuttle to the Alba train station, about an hour by train from Turin (Torino) and Genoa. Breakfast and one group transfer included.

Please note: Some details of the itinerary may change according to the departure date of your tour. Whenever we run a tour we make new discoveries. Sometimes they are good discoveries, like a wonderful new trattoria, and sometimes they are bad, like a trail has been washed away. The result is that we sometimes change our itinerary to improve it by adding new wonderful elements to the tour or by removing something that does not work anymore. Rest assured, our goal is to always provide you with the best possible experience. We will advise you of any changes to the original itinerary prior to departure.