Beyond the hills
In Piedmont, nothing is far away.
Within a morning’s drive, ski beneath Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps, or on the slopes of Monte Rosa, Piedmont’s own 4,000-metre giant. Then come back down to Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta, to caves and waterfalls, and to the hills and wine producers you call home.
Drive times are approximate, in normal traffic. Allow more at weekends and on mountain roads in winter.
Skiing & the high Alps
Ski beneath Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps, or on Monte Rosa, Piedmont’s own 4,000-metre giant.
| Destination | From Alba | From Ovada |
|---|---|---|
| Limone Piemonte, Riserva BiancaThe closest big ski area to the Langhe: a historic resort in the Maritime Alps.Official site (Limone Piemonte, Riserva Bianca, opens in a new tab) | ≈ 1 h 25 | ≈ 2 h 25 |
| Prato Nevoso, Mondolè SkiLinked runs over Prato Nevoso, Frabosa and Artesina, with sea views on clear days.Official site (Prato Nevoso, Mondolè Ski, opens in a new tab) | ≈ 1 h 30 | ≈ 2 h 15 |
| Sestriere, Via LatteaSki where the Torino 2006 Olympic alpine races were held, on a cross-border network between Italy and France.Official site (Sestriere, Via Lattea, opens in a new tab) | ≈ 2 h 10 | ≈ 2 h 40 |
| Alagna Valsesia, Monterosa SkiPiedmont’s gateway to Monte Rosa: lifts to 3,275 m at Punta Indren and some of the Alps’ most celebrated freeride.Official site (Alagna Valsesia, Monterosa Ski, opens in a new tab) | ≈ 2 h 40 | ≈ 2 h 20 |
| Courmayeur, Skyway Monte Bianco · Aosta ValleyRotating cable cars to Punta Helbronner (3,466 m), face to face with Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps.Official site (Courmayeur, Skyway Monte Bianco, opens in a new tab) | ≈ 2 h 50 | ≈ 2 h 45 |
The great lakes
Palaces on islands, terraced gardens and storybook lakeside villages, an easy morning’s drive away.
| Destination | From Alba | From Ovada |
|---|---|---|
| Lago Maggiore: Stresa & the Borromean IslandsBoat from Stresa to Isola Bella’s baroque palace and terraced gardens, and to Isola Madre’s botanical garden.Official site (Lago Maggiore: Stresa & the Borromean Islands, opens in a new tab) | ≈ 2 h | ≈ 1 h 40 |
| Lago d’Orta: Orta San GiulioA storybook lakeside village facing Isola San Giulio, with the UNESCO-listed Sacro Monte above.Official site (Lago d’Orta: Orta San Giulio, opens in a new tab) | ≈ 1 h 55 | ≈ 1 h 40 |
| Lake Como: Como & Bellagio · LombardyVillas, gardens and lake ferries. Como town is an easy day trip, and Bellagio works better as an overnight.Official site (Lake Como: Como & Bellagio, opens in a new tab) | ≈ 2 h 20 / 2 h 55 | ≈ 1 h 55 / 2 h 30 |
| Lago di ViveroneA quiet lake between Biella and Ivrea, home to UNESCO-listed prehistoric pile-dwelling sites.Official site (Lago di Viverone, opens in a new tab) | ≈ 1 h 40 | ≈ 1 h 20 |
| Laghi di AviglianaTwo glacial lakes at the mouth of the Susa Valley, beneath the Sacra di San Michele abbey.Official site (Laghi di Avigliana, opens in a new tab) | ≈ 1 h 10 | ≈ 1 h 40 |
Caves & waterfalls
Underground lakes, roaring streams and alpine falls: the wild side of Piedmont.
| Destination | From Alba | From Ovada |
|---|---|---|
| Grotta di Bossea, Frabosa SopranaItaly’s first show cave (opened 1874): chambers, underground lakes and a roaring stream, at 9 °C all year. Guided tours; booking required.Official site (Grotta di Bossea, Frabosa Soprana, opens in a new tab) | ≈ 1 h 10 | ≈ 1 h 50 |
| Grotta di Rio Martino, CrissoloA guided walk beneath Monviso to the Pissai, an underground waterfall more than 40 m high. Open April to October.Official site (Grotta di Rio Martino, Crissolo, opens in a new tab) | ≈ 1 h 30 | ≈ 2 h 30 |
| Cascata del Toce, Val FormazzaA 143 m alpine waterfall, one of the most spectacular in the Alps. It runs at full flow only on scheduled summer days, so check the calendar first.Official site (Cascata del Toce, Val Formazza, opens in a new tab) | ≈ 3 h 20 | ≈ 3 h 05 |
| Cascata del Serpente, Masone · LiguriaThe nearest real waterfall to Ovada: a five-step cascade with a 12 m main drop and a pool below.Official site (Cascata del Serpente, Masone, opens in a new tab) | ≈ 1 h 20 | ≈ 20 min + 30 min walk |
| Parco Capanne di MarcaroloA wild Apennine park behind Ovada: woodland trails, reservoirs, streams and small seasonal cascades.Official site (Parco Capanne di Marcarolo, opens in a new tab) | ≈ 1 h 50 | ≈ 50 min |
Wine producers
Closer to home, the hills are the destination: cellars, enoteche and the producers behind Piedmont’s great wines.
| Destination | From Alba | From Ovada |
|---|---|---|
| Barolo: WiMu & Enoteca RegionaleA multimedia wine museum in the Falletti castle, with the regional enoteca for Barolo’s eleven villages in the cellars.Official site (Barolo: WiMu & Enoteca Regionale, opens in a new tab) | ≈ 20 min | ≈ 1 h 25 |
| BarbarescoThe tower village of Barbaresco, with its regional enoteca in a deconsecrated church.Official site (Barbaresco, opens in a new tab) | ≈ 15 min | ≈ 1 h 15 |
| GaviThe home of Gavi DOCG, Piedmont’s great white wine from Cortese grapes, beneath a Genoese fortress.Official site (Gavi, opens in a new tab) | ≈ 1 h 25 | ≈ 30 min |
| OvadaThe Enoteca Regionale di Ovada e del Monferrato: home of Ovada DOCG (Dolcetto) and of Monferrato wines.Official site (Ovada, opens in a new tab) | ≈ 1 h 25 | in town |
| Canelli & Nizza MonferratoCanelli’s underground “cathedrals” of sparkling wine, and Barbera country around Nizza, both in the UNESCO site.Official site (Canelli & Nizza Monferrato, opens in a new tab) | ≈ 40 min | ≈ 45 min |
The sea
From the Monferrato, the Ligurian Riviera is closer than most people imagine.
| Destination | From Alba | From Ovada |
|---|---|---|
| Genoa & the Ligurian RivieraThe sea, the old port of Genoa and the beaches of the Riviera di Ponente: Voltri, Arenzano, Varazze.Official site (Genoa & the Ligurian Riviera, opens in a new tab) | ≈ 1 h 50 | ≈ 45 min (beaches 30–40 min) |
See it for yourself
Living near Ovada
From the vineyards around Ovada, the Ligurian sea is close: about 30–40 minutes to the beaches of Voltri, Arenzano and Varazze, and around 45 minutes to Genoa and its airport. Milan and Turin are about an hour and a half away by motorway, and Milan Malpensa is under two hours. Country life, with the Riviera and two great cities on your doorstep.
- Ligurian beaches
- ≈ 30–40 min
- Genoa
- ≈ 45 min
- Milan & Turin
- ≈ 1 h 30
- Milan Malpensa
- under 2 h
Opening times, seasons and access change: always check with each attraction before you travel.
Your base in the hills
Find the home that puts all of this within reach.
Tell Biagio where you would like to be: close to the sea, close to the mountains, or in the heart of the vineyards.
Start a conversation