You arrive at Locanda del Pilone in the morning. The e-bikes are already waiting on site. Someone walks you through the route, and you set off. Forty-five minutes later you’re on a hillside of the Boroli estate, facing a row of Nebbiolo vines that produce the Barolo you’ll find on the restaurant’s wine list that same evening. At the highest scenic point along the route, the picnic basket is already there.
That’s the shape of a morning at the resort. The rest is landscape.
The hills of Barolo and Barbaresco have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014. Crossing them by e-bike through the Langhe means moving at a pace that lets you actually read the territory: the signs marking individual vineyard parcels, the small shrines along the gravel roads, the shifts in color from one vineyard to the next depending on exposure.
Guests staying at the Locanda have the bikes at their disposal with nothing to arrange. It’s one of the concrete advantages of sleeping here.
Discover the e-bike tour with lunch among the vineyards →
How the e-bike morning works
The e-bikes are available to resort guests right on the property. No rental to arrange, no transfers.
The logistics, in detail:
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- Starting point: Locanda del Pilone, Strada della Cicchetta 34, Alba (CN) — you step out of your room and go
- Duration: 3 to 4 hours, including stops and lunch
- Fitness level: no specific training required. The electric motor handles the climbs
- What to bring: comfortable shoes, a light layer for the descents
- How to book: when you book your stay, or by contacting the property at +39 0173 366616
The tour is guided. A local guide who knows both the route and the territory rides with you.
The route: Boroli vineyards and UNESCO views
The route winds through the vineyards of the Boroli estate, the family that owns Locanda del Pilone. The rows you pedal past produce the wines that come out of the restaurant’s cellar. Barolo Villero, Barbaresco, Dolcetto d’Alba, you meet them first as signs in the soil, then as bottles at the table.
The routes take in some of the most photographed viewpoints in the Langhe: views over the villages of La Morra, Barolo and Castiglione Falletto. With electric assistance, elevation changes of 150 to 300 meters come easy. The gravel descents are best taken standing on the pedals.
E-bike routes in the Langhe adapt to the season and to trail conditions. In spring, some dirt sections can be muddy after rain. It’s worth asking for an update on the route when you book.
What’s in the picnic basket
Lunch takes place outdoors, at the scenic high point of the route. The basket includes local Piedmontese products: hard and soft cheeses from the area, local cured meats, artisan bread, desserts. It’s paired with a glass of Boroli wine, chosen from the estate’s own labels.
The thinking behind the lunch mirrors the restaurant’s. Local ingredients, careful selection, nothing out of place. You eat sitting on the grass, looking out over the vines.
Staying at the Locanda: what changes compared to organizing it yourself
People who choose the Langhe for a weekend often end up building the experience piece by piece. Bike rental from one operator, lunch to track down, dinner booked somewhere else, a place to sleep somewhere else again. It works, but it takes time and coordination.
Staying at Locanda del Pilone, everything converges in one place.
| Staying at Locanda del Pilone | Organizing it yourself | |
|---|---|---|
| E-bikes | Available on site for guests | Separate rental (from about €25/day) |
| Route | Guided through the Boroli vineyards | On your own with a map or GPS |
| Lunch | Included in the activity, with local products and wine | At your own expense |
| Dinner | Michelin-starred restaurant on site | To be booked elsewhere |
| Accommodation | Resort with a panoramic pool over the hills | Separate hotel or B&B |
| Planning | A single booking | Multiple providers to coordinate |
The advantage isn’t only practical. Riding through the Boroli vineyards in the morning and finding those same wines on the list that evening is an experience you can only build by staying here.
Book your stay at Locanda del Pilone →
When to go: month by month
The season runs from April to October. Each period has concrete characteristics that shape the experience.
| Period | Landscape | Road conditions | Practical notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| April – May | Vines budding, intense green | Gravel roads still damp | Cool temperatures, bring an extra layer |
| June – July | Rows in full leaf, green hills | Dry ground, ideal | Hot in the middle of the day, better to start early |
| August | Mature landscape, grapes forming | Dry, dust on the gravel roads | High season, book well in advance |
| September – October | Harvest, leaves turning | Compact ground | The most sought-after period for light and color |
September and October are when the Langhe show their most photographed side. Rust-colored rows, crisp air, low afternoon light. The harvest is under way in the vineyards. Riding the Boroli vines in that season means crossing paths with the pickers at work.
Dinner at the Michelin-starred restaurant: closing the circle
Locanda del Pilone holds a Michelin star, confirmed for 2025. Guests staying at the resort can book dinner directly, without leaving the property.
Chef Federico Gallo, a Turin native, worked in Tuscany, Mexico and Northern Europe before arriving here. His cooking starts from seasonal ingredients, personally selected and sourced from short supply chains, and combines them with techniques that belong to no single tradition.
The tasting menus are named after where their ingredients come from: Piemonte works with regional classics; Acqua Dolce focuses on freshwater fish from rivers and lakes; Orto follows the seasonality of vegetables; Dolci closes with pastry.
In fall, Alba white truffle enters the menu across several courses — a product you can also get to know up close through the simulated truffle hunt, one of the activities available to guests.
The cellar holds more than 1,400 labels. There’s a dedicated sommelier, and you can flag your preferences when you book. The Locanda is a Krug Ambassade, a title the French champagne house awards to restaurants around the world that embody its philosophy, the only one in the Langhe, and it has received the Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator, the leading international wine magazine.
The list also features the Boroli wines, the same ones you watched growing on the estate’s rows during the morning ride.
Conclusion
A weekend at Locanda del Pilone is built in layers. The morning on an e-bike through the vineyards, lunch outdoors among the Boroli rows, the evening at the Michelin-starred restaurant.
Anyone who wants one more perspective on the landscape can add a hot-air balloon flight over the Langhe, another activity reserved for guests of the property.
For availability and packages, the direct references are the Langhe activities page or the phone number +39 0173 366616.
FAQ – Specific questions about the e-bike tour and staying at Locanda del Pilone
Are e-bikes available to all resort guests?
Yes. The bikes are available to anyone staying at Locanda del Pilone. The activity can be booked together with your stay or by contacting the property directly at +39 0173 366616.
Is the e-bike tour suitable for someone who has never ridden one?
Yes. The e-bikes have adjustable pedal assistance: you set the motor support level before setting off. The guide explains how everything works before the ride. Flat sections and gentle climbs take no effort at all; the descents simply require attention to your speed.
What exactly is in the picnic basket?
Lunch includes local cheeses and cured meats, artisan bread, Piedmontese desserts and a glass of Boroli wine. The selection varies with the season and product availability.
Can I combine the e-bike tour with a visit to the Boroli winery on the same day?
The route runs through the Boroli estate. Tastings at Cantine Boroli are among the activities available to guests and can be combined with the tour. Contact the property when you book to arrange the day.
What’s the total distance of the route?
Routes vary with the season and trail conditions. Langhe itineraries between La Morra and Barolo generally cover 9 to 11 miles (15–18 km). For details on the specific route, ask the property when you book.