A 50-kilometre tour easily adds up to 800 metres of ascent. A good gear ratio is therefore helpful. But cyclists are more than rewarded for their efforts. When planning your route, it is important to choose the paths along the ridges, as every descent into the valley is inevitably followed by another strenuous climb.
Character
You will look in vain for the idyllic river cycle path in the Langhe. The Tanaro valley is crammed with industrial areas and hectic traffic. Cyclists who want to enjoy the country and its people must be prepared to sweat. A 50-kilometre tour easily involves 800 metres of ascent. A good gear ratio is therefore helpful. But cyclists will be more than rewarded for their efforts. When planning your route, it is important to choose the paths along the ridges, as every descent into the valley is inevitably followed by another sweat-inducing climb.
Starting point
The ideal starting point for exploring the Langhe by bike is the provincial centre of Alba. The medieval town lies at the foot of the hills and has the best tourist infrastructure. Various starting points can also be reached quickly from here by car.
Hotel tip for Alba:
Hotel Langhe. Well-run 3-star hotel with a beautiful garden and space for bicycles. Double room from 75 euros. The owner has the best tips for more than a week. Tel. 0039/0173/366933, http://www.hotellanghe.it
Best time to travel is spring or autumn. It's too hot in Piedmont in summer. Attention: In October, gourmets from all over the world gather to harvest truffles. Accommodation must be booked well in advance. is spring or autumn. It is too hot in Piedmont in summer. Attention: In October, gourmets from all over the world meet to harvest truffles. Accommodation must be booked well in advance.
Our tour tips incl. GPS data:
Panorama round:
Alba - Diano d'Alba - Montelupo - Monforte d'Alba - Barolo - La Morra - Gallo - Alba; 63 km, 900 m elevation gain.
: 66 km, 1100 hm
Cortemilia - Torre Bormida - Cravanzana - Feisoglio - Niella Belbo - Bossolasco - Serravalle - Benevello - Castino - Cortemilia
: 34 km, 700 hm
Barbaresco - Neive - Mango - Trezzo Tinella - Treiso - Barbaresco
Info and maps
The best address is the tourist office in Alba. Here you will also find special information for cyclists. Address: Ente Turismo Alba Bra Langhe e Roero, Piazza Medford 3, I-12051 Alba, Fax: 0039/0173/ 363878, www.langhero.it . The hiking map "I Sentieri dell'alta Langha" by Comunita Montana, scale 1:50,000, is ideal for cyclists and can be purchased for six euros in local bookshops.
Web tip for Italian cyclists
Dr Gerhard Veits describes his experiences during a round trip on a trekking bike in detail. You will also find many useful tips for cyclists in Italy: www.veits.org
The full-length article from issue 5/2005 is available as a free PDF download.
