Langhe, Roero and Monferrato
Monferrato: a name, a legend
Do you know the legend of Aleramo and Adelasia?
It seems that the name Monferrato has romantic roots: The legend of a thwarted love between Aleramo – of humble origins – and the beautiful Adelasia, daughter of Emperor Otto I. According to the legend, the young lovers fled to be able to be together, on two horses – one red and one white – and spent together many happy years, overcoming many difficulties together.
One day, the emperor’s grandson was kidnapped by his enemies – People from Brescia. Aleramo rode to the enemy camp and managed to obtain his release with his diplomacy. The emperor thus wanted to meet him and decided not only to forgive the two lovers, but also to grant Aleramo the title of Marquis. He gave him a territory between Liguria and Piedmont, as vast as the distance he would be able to cover on horseback in the space of three days and three nights.
Therefore, Aleramo set off with three horses and traveled through the territories of lower Piedmont, and when his horse lost an iron, in the absence of a young blacksmith, he used a brick – in ancient Piedmont dialect called mun – to shoe the horse – frrh. Monferrato.
A unique territory
Land of legends, land of wines and excellence. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The territory that includes Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato has always fascinated with the beauty of its landscapes and the quality of its food and wine productions.
Its very geomorphology boasts extraordinary natural phenomena that have outlined its soft shapes over time. Starting from the presence of the sea, which covered Piedmont and the entire Po Valley 130 million years ago, of which we can still find traces today: The so-called Golfo Padano (Po Valley Gulf), with its soils formed by sediments of debris transported by sea currents that eroded the surrounding mountains.
The waters of this Gulf were home to numerous organisms of which we still find important fossil evidence today: Shells of shellfish, fossilized skeletons of marine mammals, such as dolphins, whales, and mermails.
Later on, the lands of the Roero emerged, with a push that made the deeper layers of the soil slide towards the mountain, leaving the most recent ones at the bottom of the valley.
The plateau that emerged was covered with sediments of alluvial and wind origin, and was later shaped by the Tanaro River (the “Capture of the Tanaro River”), which separated Lange and Roero and sculpted these lands, creating the Rocche del Roero: Canyons that stretch out for 11 km from the Pocapaglia area in Cisterna d’Asti.
The Tanaro River is still today essential for the quality of these lands: It balances humidity and rainfall, and is the first creator of that unique microclimate which – together with its marine soil – produces the famous Piedmont terroir.
Outdoor Experience Motorcycle and Bicycle Touring
Enjoy the extraordinary beauty of the hilly slopes of Langhe, Roero and Monferrato, with motorbike or bicycle excursions.
The roads of Langhe are very popular for motorcyclists, who love the breeze of the wind as they explore Piedmont through panoramic roads, and then stop to eat in one of the many local restaurants or farmhouses, savoring the culinary excellence of the region. A slow-paced traveling, to savor every moment.
Visitlmr offers various outdoor itineraries to enjoy with motorbikes, bicycles, or on foot.
Passing between hills and castles, discovering the Romanesque and panoramic views, Piedmont offers landscapes and trails for all tastes.
It is possible to filter the itineraries depending on your vehicle, area, difficulty, duration or length of the route.
For excursions and cycling lovers, Piemontescape allows you to find itineraries and cycling routes registered and officially recognized by the Piedmont Region.
The site also suggests many activities for outdoor enthusiasts, facilities, amusement parks, and provides the contacts of guides and tour leaders.
Trekking among the Vineyards
Winetrekking suggests trekking itineraries among the vineyards of Piedmont and Liguria. This is a project carried out by Astiturismo – ATL in collaboration with Piedmont and Liguria Regional Governments, which want to combine the hilly landscape of lower Piedmont with Ligurian Apennines, offering routes to discover the beauties of these two lands.
On the website, you can find the detailed description of 15 trekking trails in Piedmont, organized in the areas of Asti, Langhe / Roero and Alessandria, and 9 in Liguria.
