Take a stroll after the holidays Five winter walking tours

The holidays are over, let’s start to settle into the new year: after meals, toasts, and gifts, the body craves some movement and the mind a change of pace. So why not put on your walking shoes and take a stroll in the fresh air?

Walking is one of the simplest and most rewarding ways to regain energy after busy days, stimulate circulation and enjoy the winter landscapes of our stunning hills.

Even when there are light mists or a bit of mud under your boots, these “easy” paths become an authentic experience, perfect for visitors and locals alike who want to savor the area in a dynamic way.

Some practical tips before you start

Walking in winter is easy, just do it with a bit of care. Comfortable and waterproof shoes are the first rule: the trails can be damp or slightly muddy, especially after rain or night frosts.

It’s better to dress in layers, so you can easily adapt to the morning cold and the midday sun. A hat, a scarf, and a windbreaker make a difference, even when the sky seems clear.

In winter, it’s best to choose short and well-marked routes, start without rushing, and enjoy the slow pace: the Langhe, in this season, don’t ask you to run but to walk calmly, observe and breathe.

In search of Cod: walking in Albaretto with all senses

In Albaretto della Torre, walking becomes a different experience, designed to engage curiosity and senses.

The loop trail of about 4 kilometers surrounding the village of Albaretto is easy and accessible. Along the way, you’ll encounter various stops, each linked to one of the five senses: from the view of the surrounding hills to the touch in the hazelnut groves, to the scents of the woods and the flavors of the area.

It’s a walk that combines nature, play, and discovery, typical products, and local curiosities in a light and engaging way.

Walk in the village of Serralunga

Serralunga d’Alba is perfect for a walk of about an hour through its streets. This small village retains a unique medieval charm: the streets radiate around the majestic Castle, a fortress that dominates the surrounding hills and offers beautiful views.

Starting from Piazza Guglielmo Marconi, you can admire the details of the ancient houses, pass by the Church of San Sebastiano, and reach the castle walls, an ideal spot for a panoramic photo with the Langhe hills in the background.

If instead, you feel like picking up the pace and turning the walk into a more complete tour among vineyards and hills, you can follow the Sinio Trails loop starting right from Piazza Marconi in Serralunga, a loop trail of about 9-10 km that takes you out of the center and through fields, woods, and open landscapes.

Two kilometers at a slow pace in the village of Guarene

Guarene is a characteristic village in the Roero, famous for its historic center, dominated by the imposing castle and overlooking the natural panoramic balcony that faces the Tanaro river plain. A place that invites you to stroll through history, architecture, and viewpoints even on winter days.

The route starts from Piazza Roma and stretches for about 2 kilometers, with a total duration of an hour and a half: a suitable itinerary for everyone, with some gentle climbs and cobblestone sections, but without particular difficulties.

Two kilometers through woods and fantasy in Niella Belbo

In Niella Belbo, the walk takes on a fairytale and light character: the Nigelle di Langa trail is an easy loop of about 2 kilometers that winds around the village, designed for families but also enjoyable for adults looking for a walk different from the usual.

Along the way, you’ll find installations and characters inspired by the world of fantasy, accompanying the walk through woods, clearings, and views of the surrounding landscape.

It’s a short walk, accessible and relaxing, where the pace remains slow and the focus shifts to details, nature, and the pleasure of walking without haste, even on the coldest days.

Walking with Fenoglio between San Benedetto Belbo and Castino

Between San Benedetto Belbo and Castino, the walk becomes a “literary” experience, because here the Langhe are read even while walking: a Fenoglian loop trail, with panels and quotes that connect the places of the village to the pages of Beppe Fenoglio.

The point that makes everything more immersive, however, is the Censa di Placido: an iconic place in Fenoglian literature, now restored and open to visitors, with a small interactive museum setup dedicated to rural life and the works of the writer.

Then there’s Castino, with the San Bovo hamlet and the Cascina del Pavaglione, linked to La malora and that peasant geography that Fenoglio describes unfiltered: here the landscape doesn’t just serve as a backdrop, it enters the story.

It’s a perfect outing for those who want to “take a stroll after the holidays” and, at the same time, bring home something more: a piece of lived Langa, written and remembered.