Notturni nelle Rocche

The night walks of Roero

The Notturni nelle Rocche are a series of evening walks conceived and coordinated by the Ecomuseo delle Rocche del Roero, based in Montà. For over fifteen years, every summer, the walks have visited about twenty municipalities in the Roero area, in the province of Cuneo, Piedmont. The Municipality of Montaldo Roero is a regular stop on the calendar: an evening entirely dedicated to this small village overlooking the crags, with its landscape of gullies, meadows, woods, and chestnut groves.

How the evening unfolds

Each night walk is approximately 5 kilometers long, with a difficulty level suitable for those accustomed to walking, lasting about two and a half hours in total, including stops. The meeting point is usually set at 8:45 PM for registration, with departure at 9:00 PM. In Montaldo Roero, the usual meeting point is the cemetery parking lot. Along the route, there is always a cultural stop with an in-depth look provided by local experts or a theatrical performance, while upon returning, a midnight snack is provided with herbal teas, fresh fruit, cakes, and cookies prepared by local associations.

Nature, history, and traditions of Roero

The value of the Notturni nelle Rocche lies in combining hiking with storytelling about the territory. In Montaldo Roero, the evenings have proposed, for example, insights into the figures and trades of the past, such as the bacialè, the traditional matchmaker who arranged marriages and business deals in the Piedmontese countryside. The landscape of the rocche—crags of sandy earth shaped by erosion—serves as a natural backdrop for these walks, made possible by the collaboration of volunteers, guides, and associations such as the Amici di Montaldo Roero and the Sentinelle Ecologiche.

A festival for the entire Roero

The walks are held on Tuesday and Friday evenings, from June to early September, each in a different municipality of Roero. Each edition is linked to a central theme that runs through all the stages: in 2026, the theme is dedicated to mysteries, thrillers, and cases to be solved. Participating in even just one evening allows you to get to know a village, but many hikers follow the entire season, moving from town to town to discover the most authentic Roero.