Roero without a car from Santa Vittoria D'Alba

E-bike cycling tour to discover the UNESCO landscapes of Langhe-Roero

This tour doesn't require using a car to reach the starting point; in fact, arriving by train at Santa Vittoria D'Alba railway station is the best way to visit the wild nature of Roero in a day. If you wish to pick up the e-bike directly at the station, you need to request the bike pickup when booking your rental, indicating the train arrival time. The tour is circular; if you're staying in the area, you can also start directly from the bike rental point in Corneliano D'Alba.

Santa Vittoria d'Alba

The self-guided e-bike tour starts from Santa Vittoria D'Alba railway station; arriving by train combined with e-bike allows for an easy visit of Langhe-Roero in a day. Let's go!
On the e-bike, you climb effortlessly to the historic center of Santa Vittoria D'Alba. The imposing castle of the Roero family, an ancient and noble family, dominates the historic center of the village perched on the hill. From the top of the Upper Village, you can enjoy a wonderful panorama of the surrounding hills; the view is dominated by the villages of Verduno and Roddi, and looking down, you can admire the flow of the Tanaro River.

Monticello d'Alba

Leaving Santa Vittoria d'Alba, the bike route winds through secondary roads immersed in vineyards. The route is characterized by ups and downs, sometimes gentle, sometimes more challenging, but with e-bikes, it's possible to tackle even the more demanding sections with ease. The second village you encounter during the ride is Monticello D'Alba, dominated by its imposing castle dating back to the 13th century. The Roero Castle of Monticello is one of the best-preserved fortifications in the area and absolutely deserves a guided tour. In the ancient village, you can discover artisan shops that produce typical products like "tajarin," thin hand-cut egg pasta, and chestnut honey with an intense and slightly bitter flavor. For a gastronomic stop, local trattorias offer traditional dishes such as agnolotti del plin, small ravioli filled with meat, and rabbit with Roero Arneis wine.

Corneliano d'Alba

The surprises of Roero are not over; on the bike, you pedal on secondary roads through Nebbiolo and Arneis vineyards. This first section is characterized by gentle ups and downs that allow you to admire the panorama alternating between vineyards, hazelnut groves, and the first orchards start to appear. The ride arrives in one of the heart villages of Roero, Corneliano d'Alba, a village that preserves important testimonies of its medieval past. Of particular interest is the 12th-century Tower, 22 meters high, which dominates the town and represents one of the symbols of the village. The 15th-century Church of San Bernardino with its Renaissance frescoes is also worth a stop. Corneliano d'Alba is also famous for the production of fine wines, strawberries, peaches, and Madernassa pears. Corneliano D'Alba is the ideal place for a delicious break, perhaps tasting the "stuffed peach," a typical dessert prepared with peaches filled with amaretti and cocoa, or the "hazelnut cake," prepared with the famous Piedmont IGP hazelnuts. In autumn, don't miss the opportunity to buy white truffles from local "trifolau" (truffle hunters). Corneliano d'Alba also hosts several wineries where you can taste Roero Arneis DOCG and Roero DOCG. Slightly outside the town center, in a super panoramic position, we find the Big Bench #348 blue and red, belonging to the Big Bench Community Project.

Monteu Roero

After the stop at the Big Bench of Corneliano D'Alba, you get back on the bike, following the route on the app, pedaling towards Monteu Roero. This section presents some more challenging ups and downs, with a significant climb towards the village of Monteu Roero. Don't worry, the e-bike will make this section easier, and where needed, you can increase the assistance! Observing the landscape, you notice a progressive change; vineyards give way to chestnut woods and the characteristic "Rocche," unique geological formations created by erosion that characterize the Roero territory. Along the way, you cross small hamlets and can admire numerous country chapels, testimony to popular religiosity. About halfway, a detour is recommended to visit the Sanctuary of Piloni, a devotional complex consisting of fifteen votive pillars representing the mysteries of the rosary. Arriving in Monteu Roero, one of the most picturesque villages in the area, you are welcomed by the majestic medieval castle that dominates from above. The historic center, with its narrow alleys and stone houses, preserves the charm of the past. Don't miss the Church of San Nicolao with its Romanesque bell tower and the walk to the Belvedere, from which you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Rocche del Roero and, on clearer days, the Alpine chain. Monteu Roero is famous for the production of strawberries and small fruits, used to prepare artisanal jams and liqueurs. In local restaurants, you can taste the "brasato al Roero," beef marinated and slowly cooked in local red wine, accompanied by "otto file" corn polenta, an ancient variety grown in the area.

Sommariva Perno

The last stretch of the e-bike route connects Monteu Roero to Sommariva Perno. This part of the itinerary is particularly evocative as it runs alongside the Rocche del Roero for a good stretch, canyons and gorges formed over thousands of years. The landscape is an alternation of woods, orchards, and small cultivated plots, with the strawberry being the queen among all fruits, finding its capital in Sommariva Perno. During the route, you cross the hamlet of Valle Rossi, where you can take a break at one of the numerous agritourism farms in the area to taste typical local products such as cheeses, cured meats, fresh pasta, local wines, and strawberries, excellent for a healthy and sweet break. Continuing the journey, you finally reach the village of Sommariva Perno, which stands on a hill, the last village of the circular e-bike tour. The historic center is dominated by the Castle of Bela Rosin (a FAI heart place), a nineteenth-century residence that belonged to Rosa Vercellana, subject of countless gossip at the court of Victor Emmanuel II. Around the castle extends a large forest park, ideal for a relaxing break at the end of the route. Also worth a visit are the Church of Santo Spirito, with its neoclassical facade, and the Hermitage of Tavoletto, an ancient religious complex immersed in greenery. The route concludes with the last stretch and arrival at Santa Vittoria D'Alba station.