Niella Belbo features a well-preserved medieval tower and a number of marvelous, 15th century frescos in the local church and in the romantic Madonna dei Monti Sanctuary, one of the many spires that dot the Belbo Valley. In front of you to the north, you can see the large village of Bossolasco (which you will reach after a steep descent into Belbo at San Benedetto, the only town at the bottom of the valley), whereas the valley finally opens up to the west towards the Mombarcaro summit (896 m / 2,940 ft) and onto the Sorgenti del Belbo plateau, a unique nature reserve here in the Langhe.
Several signposts tell of the places and events from Fenoglio’s novels and stories, including “Un Giorno di Fuoco”. Everything here tells about Fenoglio, and Fenoglio has written much about San Benedetto. Also of interest here are the remains of the Benedictine Abbey with the archway to the fortified village and the enjoyable descent down a path and stairway to the river below. Signposts to Mimberghe, Cadilù and Lunetta, too, evoke memories of Fenoglio’s stories (such as “Pioggia e la Sposa”), and these three villages are certainly worth an unhurried visit.
This marvelous trail with its high-altitude view runs flat and then steeply downhill to the pass, where you join the state highway again for the intersection, then head immediately to the left to continue along the crest through the woods (attention: at the three-pronged fork in the road, keep straight to remain along the crest of the hill) until the Basic2 industrial site, which you will pass on the left. Cross the paved courtyard and continue on to the Church of San Rocco. Head back up (paved) to the watershed and then descend into Bossolasco (at the end of the road, turn left and take the main road through town at the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli).
Serravalle Langhe once served to block access to the road along the crest of the hill (the Langhe state highway, which may follow the original Roman road, Magistra Langarum), but it lost its medieval castle in the 16th century. But the village has retained the marvelous building that is now home to the town hall, as well as the original St. Michael Oratory (12th century, noted for its sandstone rose window), which is now a multipurpose centre. Continue on from Piazza del Municipio along Via Baudana. At the end of this road, keep left (onto Via Monte Vacca), then head downhill on the paved road (Via Braia) until a grassy trail to the right. This trail will take you (by keeping right at every fork until the waterway) to the steepest and most extreme of the gorge descents, down to Rio Inferno (an ominous name), which may flow gently between the sandstone cliffs, but this deep, muddy gorge is to be taken with great care. The climb back out until the highway, across from the San Lorenzo Chapel in Roddino, is wider, less steep, and not as muddy, but it is still quite challenging. When you reach the highway, turn left and continue along the crest overlooking some of Italy’s most famous vineyards until you get to the small village, with an amazing view of the Barolo hills.
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Bar to Bar - Barbaresco - Barolo
The Bar to Bar itinerary, a 7-stage circuit from Barbaresco to Barolo and back again (you can choose the direction), crosses a significant chunk of the Langhe Roero territory along low-traffic roads and trails, through woods and an array of uniquely beautiful landscapes.
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Bar to Bar - Leg 1: Alba - Treiso
Start walkingfrom the historical centre of Alba in the direction of the Langhe’s Barbaresco wine region and get ready to experience one-of-a-kind landscapes immersed in the wonders of nature as you ride along the headland trails of vineyards and up to medieval villages perched on hilltops.
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Bar to Bar - Leg 1A: Cascina Ambrogio (Neive) - Neive
Variant of the Leg Alba Treiso, with a brief detour from the original path, discovering a different way to reach the centre of Neive.
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Bar to Bar - Leg 2: Treiso - San Bovo (Castino)
From Treiso, in the heart of the Barbaresco wine region, this leg takes you to San Bovo di Castino as you witness the shift in the landscape from the endless blanket of vineyards to woods, hazelnut groves and rock formations.
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Bar to Bar - Leg 2A: Cascina Alberta (Treiso) - San Rocco Seno d'Elvio (Alba)
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Bar to Bar - Leg 3: San Bovo (Castino) - Niella Belbo
This long leg through the most untamed part of the Langhe features the old salt roads once traveled by wayfaring merchants, the peace and tranquility of the woods, and isolated villages that, together, make for some breathtaking panoramas.
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Bar to Bar - Leg 5: Roddino - Monforte d'Alba
From Roddino, a village on the border between the Alta Langa and the Barolo wine region, you will now return to the winemaking heart of the area as you walk among some of the most famous of the Barolo crus and stop to visit amazing villages that are simply overflowing with history.
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Bar to Bar - Leg 5A: Serralunga d'Alba - Monforte d'Alba
Variant of the Leg 5, from Serralunga to Monforte by way of Castiglione Falletto for a somewhat different point of view over the landscape that surrounds you.
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Bar to Bar - Leg 6: Monforte d'Alba - Verduno
Another leg immersed in the Barolo wine region through the most famous, most sought-after crus among wine lovers around the world, as you take in this sea of vineyards from a privileged vantage point in La Morra.
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Bar to Bar - Leg 6A: Case Nuove - Novello
Variant of the Leg 6, a brief detour towards Novello to enjoy a view of the Alps in the distance.
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Bar to Bar - Leg 7: Verduno - Alba
For the last leg of this long circuit throughout the Langhe region, the itinerary takes you from Verduno, where a stop at its Belvedere vista point, looking out over Roddi, is certainly worth your time, and on to Alba, the “City of a Hundred Towers.
Find out morePLEASE NOTE: Responsibility for the maintenance and practicability of the various trails lies with the municipalities where the routes are located. The Tourist Board, therefore, cannot be held responsible for any inefficiencies, but is willingly available to collect your reports so that they can be forwarded to the authorities concerned.
