Truffle Trail

The Truffle Trail connects Alba's historic center to the surrounding hills, where for centuries trifolao (truffle hunters) have combed the oak and poplar forests in search of the prized Tuber magnatum Pico, the Alba white truffle. The route climbs at a moderate gradient along country roads and paths shaded by hazelnut and lime trees, crossing the wooded area that historically served as a gathering place for Alba's farming families. Near the hamlet of Scaparoni, it follows a stretch of the Cherasca River, a small tributary of the Tanaro River, where the moist undergrowth favors the growth of fruit trees. The trail is signposted as part of the Roero and Langhe trail network, and passes through areas where, in autumn, you can encounter hunters with their trained dogs, descendants of a tradition documented at least since the 14th century. The best time to hike is between October and December, during the white truffle season, when the Alba International Truffle Fair also enlivens the city center, just steps from the starting point.