Among the fortresses and farmhouses of the Roero, off the beaten track

The Roero is a part of Piedmont best discovered at a leisurely pace, following paths that wind through woods and hilltop villages, with Bra as its most important centre – a place that is absolutely well worth a visit. What sets it apart from the neighbouring Langhe is not only the terroir that nurtures the prized grape varieties, but also the morphology of the Rocche – deep gorges in the terrain that form steep cliffs, ridges and valleys covered in vegetation. In autumn, when the rows of vines turn shades of yellow and copper, the landscape lends itself to walks that alternate between panoramic stretches and more secluded paths. In Guarene, for example, a village overlooking the Tanaro valley, the Sentiero dell’Incanto (also suitable for families with young children) is an excellent opportunity to explore this area. The circular route is about 5 kilometres long and takes around an hour and twenty minutes to walk, winding its way through vineyards, hazelnut groves, cultivated countryside and Madernassa pear trees – a traditional local variety – before finally returning to the historic centre, dominated by the Baroque castle. For a longer walk, you can head to Castellinaldo d’Alba and follow the ‘Strada del Barbera’, which is about 12 kilometres long and takes around three and a half hours to walk. The route runs past farmhouses and country chapels and passes through the Cornarea wood, where oaks, hornbeams and lime trees create a landscape quite different from that of the cultivated hills. On clear days, the view stretches as far as the Langhe and the Alps. The perfect way to round off a day spent in this part of the Roero is, of course, with wine – and in particular Barbera d’Alba – to be tasted in the local wineries.

https://www.ecomuseodellerocche.it/it/

https://www.visitguarene.it/