Races in Piedmont

Piedmont carries its geography in its name: the land at the foot of the mountains. Backed by the Alps on three sides, the region goes from the rice paddies of the Po Valley to border glaciers without ever losing steam. Turin reigns at the center, the first capital of a unified Italy, city of endless arcades, the Mole Antonelliana and the Holy Shroud, but also of Fiat and Juventus 🇮🇹. Around it, the provinces unfold their identities: Cuneo the mountain stronghold to the south, Verbania and the great lakes to the north, Alessandria and Monferrato to the east, Vercelli and its rice fields, the largest in Europe. To the southeast, the hills of the Langhe and Roero, listed by UNESCO, line up the vineyards that produce Barolo and Barbaresco.

As for terrain, Piedmont doesn’t pretend. Three of the highest peaks in the Alps border it: Monte Rosa to the north, Gran Paradiso and Monviso to the west, that perfect pyramid from which the Po springs 🏔️. Between the Alpine valleys survive pockets of Occitan and Franco-Provençal, a cross-border heritage that some races proudly claim even in their names. Lower down, Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta set their blue mirrors between the mountains, lined with villas and gardens. And at the heart of it all, the wine hills ripple endlessly, gentle ground that contrasts with the harshness of the summits.

The season naturally follows the altitude. Alpine trails open from June to September, when the snow frees the high ground, while the lakes and hills are runnable from April to November. Autumn may offer the best: the Langhe vineyards turn red and gold, Alba’s white truffle scents the markets, and the air turns crisp without biting 🍂. In winter, the plain often drowns in fog, but the resorts of Limone or the Via Lattea run at full tilt — some even embrace snow trail running. Turin, for its part, can be run all year round under its arcades.

The trail running calendar in Piedmont is one of Italy’s richest when it comes to paths. The Ultra Trail Lago Maggiore dominates the waters from Verbania in September, the Vibram Ultra Trail Lago d'Orta follows in October, and the Monte Rosa Skymarathon climbs toward the glaciers from Alagna, a skyrunning benchmark 🥾. In the mountainous south, the Grand Raid Cro Magnon and the Trail du CRO explore the forts of Limone, the Maira Occitan Trail crosses the Occitan valleys, and Terres Monviso loops around the giant. Add the Trail del Moscato through the Langhe vineyards, the Trail Oasi Zegna above Biella, or the CAUT and its eighty kilometers. On the road, the Turin Marathon and its half set the pace of the season in the capital, the only major marathon in the region along with the Lake Maggiore Marathon in Arona and its half in Stresa. Cyclists, for their part, venerate La Fausto Coppi starting from Cuneo, and triathletes set their sights on Viverone or Roero 🚴. Fancy somewhere else? The Aosta Valley and Lombardy extend the Alps on either side.

After a race in Piedmont, the table plays in the big leagues. Stuffed agnolotti have been simmering for generations, bagna cauda brings everyone together around an anchovy-and-garlic fondue, and vitello tonnato is enjoyed cold in summer 🍝. Turin invented gianduja, this hazelnut chocolate that predates Nutella, born nearby in Alba, not to mention grissini and vermouth, both Piedmontese. A glass of Barolo, king of local wines, goes with it all (Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health; drink in moderation). On the sports side, the region boasts an absolute legend in Fausto Coppi, the campionissimo born in Castellania, whose granfondo bears his name 🚴. Culture is not to be outdone: writer Cesare Pavese was born in Santo Stefano Belbo, the very place where the Trail del Moscato is run; Primo Levi recounted Turin and deportation; and Umberto Eco came from Alessandria 📚. So, an ultra toward Monte Rosa or a marathon under Turin’s arcades? Compare the local trails and road races; the land at the foot of the mountains is waiting for you 👟.