Prunetto: Culture, Trails and Gastronomy in the Alta Langa

Prunetto between the Bormida and Uzzone valleys

Prunetto is located in the Alta Langa in Piedmont, on a ridge between the Bormida and Uzzone valleys. For a trip that considers landscapes, culture and regional delicacies together, the village provides a clear thematic framework. Historic buildings, religious traditions, designated trails and culinary events offer different ways to discover Prunetto.

From Monesiglio and Cortemilia, Prunetto can be reached via a series of hairpin bends that wind up through the hills. The approach therefore describes a route rising into the hilly landscape of the Alta Langa and forms part of the geographical orientation around the village.

Historic Buildings and Religious Culture

La Battagliera is a portico with a square floor plan that formerly served as the historic entrance to the castle. The structure thus preserves a specific connection to the former access to the castle and complements the historical impressions you can seek in Prunetto.

The Santuario della Madonna del Carmine is a sanctuary dating from the 14th century. Inside are valuable frescoes attributed in part to itinerant painters and in part to the painter Segurano Cigna, who came from the Monregalese area. During a guided tour of the Santuario della Madonna del Carmine, you can admire the frescoes and the church’s architecture. For visitors interested in culture, the history of the building, sacred art and regional painting are directly at the heart of the experience.

Every year in Prunetto, on the Sunday closest to 16 July, a triduum is held in preparation for a procession in honour of the Madonna del Carmine. The Festa di San Matteo takes place on the third Sunday in September. Both dates are part of the religious and community traditions that shape the annual cycle of the village.

Trails through the Landscape

The fourth stage of the GTL – Grande Traversata delle Langhe – from Prunetto to Gottasecca begins in the centre of Prunetto and leads into the Bosco dei Faggi in the Uzzone Valley.

Percorso 4 is a short, accessible circular route for an easy walk or a basic-level hike. It follows a wide, well-maintained path with few changes in incline and a predominantly compact, level surface. These features make it easier for you to assess the trail if you would like to consider a manageable route with a gentle level of difficulty for your stay.

Local Cuisine and Events

“Degustando tra i Borghi” is a food walk in Prunetto’s Parco del Castello. Local dishes are accompanied by the typical Dolcetto wine of the Langhe, beer and music. The event is aimed at all age groups. Thus, the focus of this occasion is not only on individual dishes, but also on the combination of regional flavours, drinks and musical accompaniment.

Groups and school classes can learn about baking bread in a wood-fired oven and the art of cheesemaking in Prunetto. These activities give the local cuisine an artisanal dimension and complement the culinary impressions from the Parco del Castello.

Discover More Destinations

For further travel planning, you can also view Ricca, Ormea, Casa Fornace, Vernante, Pocapaglia, Melle, San Damiano Macra and Vergne.

For the higher-level travel overview: Cuneo.