GTL - Leg 10

Another brief hillcrest section to the village of Albaretto, continuing on the ridge that divides the Langhe wine region from the Alta Langa.

Once visited the unmissable village of Serravalle Langhe, on the main hillcrest road continue in the direction of Albaretto della Torre.

From the centre of the village, cross the entire square alongside the Town Hall, then take the narrow street to the left. At the end of this street, continue down to the left for a few metres, then turn right onto Via Corriore. Head back to the main highway along the paved road and around the mound of the old castle. Turn to the left again and follow the straight of the highway until the crossroads on the right for San Bovo. After a few metres, head up to the left along a dirt road that runs above the highway until Località Langa and then crosses it and connects with a dirt road that bends to the right and runs alongside a vast hazelnut grove at the edge of a pine forest. When you reach a saddle in the hill, head down into the woods. Keep to the left at the only fork in the road and return to the asphalt. Cross this paved road and head down to the right along the gravel road for a few dozen metres.

At a fork in the road, you will need to head down to the right along a dirt road. After a section in the woods and having crossed a small stream, you will again find cultivated fields. Here, you will need to head down to the left and then immediately to the right and go through the gate to a farm (important: close the gate after you pass to keep the roe deers away from the sprouts of the hazelnut trees). Follow along the fence to the right and then downhill, then bend to the right along the flat. Cross the hazelnut grove to another gate at the edge of the property.

Continue along a few metres of dirt road and cross another stream. Bend to the left and head up to an abandoned farmhouse and then to the paved road that runs along the crest of the hill. Follow this road for a few metres to the left. Here, take the flat paved road to the right through the hazelnut groves until you cross another stream, then head up gradually to the first houses of Albaretto della Torre.

Albaretto is dominated by the amazing medieval, 13th century tower built by the Del Carretto Family as a fortress, watchtower and essential means of communication. At 28 metres (90 ft) tall and 5 metres (16 ft) wide, the tower is perfectly accessible and worth a visit (the keys are kept at the La Torre club) even if just for the view. The town itself is in a phenomenal position overlooking the Talloria Valley (with Sinio immediately below) and the village of Barolo (a bit like Roddino does), featuring both its lovely main church and the two chapels at the entrance to the village, San Bernardo and Sant’Agostino. But Albaretto is famous around the world for the extraordinary, anarchical genius of a self-taught chef who, a bit like a Renaissance painter, is best known by his first name and place of birth: Cesare di Albaretto. Cesare has also been named Art Director of the Alta Langa, a title he has fully deserved!

From Albaretto della Torre, you can continue on towards Benevello or follow the alternative itinerary in the direction of Lequio Berria.

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