Da Corneliano D'Alba a Priocca in e-bike

This itinerary offers a wonderful cross-section of the Piedmont territory, winding through UNESCO vineyards of Langhe-Roero, typical Roero orchards, and historic villages.

Corneliano D'Alba

The starting point with e-bikes for this loop tour is Corneliano D'Alba, one of the heart villages of Roero. For those who wish, it's possible to have an excellent breakfast or snack before departure, which will provide the right energy for the ride. The tour begins with a visit to the town - Corneliano D'Alba preserves in its historic center a medieval decagonal tower from the 13th century, 22 meters tall, testimony to the medieval past of the city and what remains of the ancient castle. For lovers of Baroque architecture, a stop at the Church of SS Gallo and Nicolò is recommended, a Baroque building with an imposing facade that preserves valuable frescoes and decorations inside; the main altar in polychrome marble is particularly valuable. Corneliano D'Alba, located in the heart of Roero, is renowned for wine production, especially Roero Arneis DOCG and Roero DOCG. During summer, the village comes alive for the peach harvest; this fruit in Corneliano d'Alba is particularly prized and juicy. After visiting the town, we depart by bike toward Vezza D'Alba.

Vezza D'Alba

Leaving the town of Corneliano D'Alba, guided by the self-guided route, the ride continues on paved secondary roads that run through vineyards, with gentle ups and downs typical of the Roero territory. During this first part of the journey, you can admire splendid views of the surrounding hills, dotted with farmhouses and small villages. On the e-bike, we reach Vezza d'Alba, whose name origin is quite curious - according to many scholars, the name (once "Vicia") derives from a particular herbaceous plant (vicia sativa) that was once cultivated in the area as fodder for animals. Today, fodder cultivation is practically non-existent, replaced by vineyard cultivation, with Arneis and Nebbiolo vines finding excellent flavor expression in this sandy soil. Not only vines, but also peaches and Madernassa pears are typical products of this area. For geology and natural history lovers, a visit to the Roero Natural History Museum is highly recommended. It is the most important museum of its kind in the area; today the museum houses two different rooms, one geological and the other naturalistic.

Priocca

Leaving Vezza D'Alba behind, the bike takes us toward Priocca passing through Castellinaldo D'Alba. The landscape in this stretch is characterized by alternating woods and vineyards; we are in the wild part of Roero. Looking up at the horizon, steep Rocche (rock formations) stand out - sand walls, sometimes covered with spontaneous vegetation, sometimes "bare." In this stretch, they show all their grandeur. With e-bikes, the steeper climbs are not a problem; the assisted pedaling allows you to climb without too much effort. Once at the top, the panorama over the Tanaro valley and the Langhe gives the right satisfaction to continue toward Priocca. We are about halfway through the route. During the warm season, Priocca is an excellent stopping point for a picnic; upon reservation, it's possible to pick it up directly at the start of the e-bike tour. After lunch at a trattoria or picnic in the shade of a majestic tree, a visit to the town of Priocca is recommended. On foot or by bike, a visit to the Parish Church of St. Stephen is recommended - once a castle chapel, it preserves an imposing bell tower 40 meters tall and completed in 1923. Not just art and culture, but also food and wine; a stop at the numerous local wineries is recommended to experience a true wine tasting of Roero wines.

Return, Magliano Alfieri

The ride on the return road toward Corneliano d'Alba continues on secondary roads with low traffic. This e-bike route crosses more wooded areas and some rural hamlets, offering a different perspective of the territory. Along the bike path, you reach the village of Magliano Alfieri; the woods give way to vineyards and hazelnut groves that characterize the landscape of this stretch. Upon arrival in the village, attention is captured by the imposing Magliano Alfieri castle, which houses the Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions and the curious Museum of Plaster Ceilings. With e-bikes, the climb to the castle won't be too demanding, and the view from the castle's belvedere over the Langhe will be wonderful. Leaving Magliano Alfieri behind, the route comes to an end with the return to the starting point in Corneliano d'Alba.