10 Experiences for a Wonderful Vacation in Piedmont
A Piedmont Surrounded by Mountains, Bathed by Lakes and Softened by Hills
Piedmont is a region hugged by the Alps. The work of glaciers and water over millennia has formed hills and valleys and created stunning lakes and other feats of nature like caves, deep gorges and streams that run between steep rock walls. Humans have added their own masterpieces to nature’s wonders, with castles and military works to defend the land, and religious architecture as a testament to spirituality.
Human activity has also shaped the landscape, covering the slopes of the hills with vineyards that produce fine wines. Here are some suggestions for getting a taste of the flavors of a region where the magnificence of its plains is surrounded by the majesty of its mountains. Find out 10 experiences for a wonderful vacation in Piedmont.
1. The maze at Masino Castle
Get lost in a green labyrinth at the residence of an illustrious family
Categoría: Familias, Fotos
At the maze at Castello di Masino (Masino Castle), around 50 kilometers from Turin, toward Ivrea and Lake Viveone, you can put your sense of direction to the test in a botanical labyrinth. It’s made up of over 2,000 hornbeam trees cut to form hedges that turn into walls and passageways.
This unique attraction is found inside the park surrounding the castle and still has the shapes and dimensions from the original design, created in the second half of the 18th century. If you can’t find your way out, a small tower stands in the middle of the interlinking passageways – from the top you can figure out the right route.
Ubicación: Via del Castello, 1, 10010 Masino, Italy
Horario: Friday–Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm
Teléfono: +39 0125 778 100
The maze at Masino Castle
2. Fenestrelle Fort
Stand behind Piedmont’s great barrier
Categoría: Familias, Historia, Fotos
The Fortezza di Fenestrelle (Fenestrelle Fort) is an imposing defensive structure that stands on the road that goes from Turin to Sestriere. It was built in the 18th century to protect the French-Piedmontese border and block the advance of enemy armies through the Chisone Valley. The fort comprises different buildings positioned on various levels along the slope of the mountainside: to get from the lowest position to the highest, you’ll have to overcome a 600-metre difference in elevation.
All the elements in the huge complex are connected by passages and walkways, including the Scala Coperta (Covered Stairway), a gallery that snakes for more than 2 kilometers, made up of around 4,000 steps protected by thick stone walls and vaults.
Ubicación: Via del Forte, 1, 10060 Fenestrelle, Italy
Horario: September–June: Thursday–Monday from 10 am to 1 pm and 2.30 pm to 5 pm. July–August: daily from 9 am to 1 pm and 2.30 pm to 6 pm
Teléfono: +39 0121 83 600
Fenestrelle Fort
3. The Abbey of San Michele
The abbey that climbs up to the sky
Categoría: Historia, Fotos
The Sacra di San Michele (Abbey of San Michele) stands out in the Susa Valley, with vertical architectural forms that seem to extend the rocky spur they stand on. Built by Benedictines in the 10th century, it became one of the main centres of medieval spirituality. Climb the striking Scalone dei Morti (Stairway of the Dead), to admire important artworks within the church, including a triptych by Defendente Ferrari and a fresco depicting the Assumption.
At the north-western end of the complex are the ruins of Torre della Bell’Alda (Tower of the Beautiful Alda). According to legend, a girl threw herself off it to escape soldiers. St Michael saved her once, but she was left to her own devices when she tried again.
Ubicación: Via alla Sacra, 14, 10057 Sant’Ambrogio di Torino, Italy
Horario: November–February: Monday–Friday from 9.30 am to noon and 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm. March–June and September–October: Monday–Friday from 9.30 am to noon and 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm. July–August: daily from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm
Teléfono: +39 011 939 130
The Abbey of San Michele
4. The Mottarone aerial cableway
Enjoy panoramic mountain views among lakes and the Alps
Categoría: Familias, Fotos
The Funivia del Mottarone (Mottarone aerial cableway) provides beautiful lake views to breathtaking scenes nearly 1,500 meters above sea level. This amazing journey goes from Stresa to Alpino and then almost to the summit of the mountain, which you can reach via a final stretch in a chair lift. The view is unbeatable, with the Monte Rosa mountain massif and the Alps framing a vista dotted with seven lakes, from Lake Orta on the western side to Lake Varese to the east.
On the clearest days, you can even see Milan’s skyscrapers. The first stretch of cableway provides a view over the entire Borromeo Gulf of Lake Maggiore and its beautiful islands: Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Madre.
Ubicación: Piazzale Lido, 8, 28838 Stresa, Italy
Horario: April–November: first ascent from Stresa at 9.30 am, last descent from Mottarone at 5.40 pm. December–March: first ascent from Stresa at 9.10 am, last descent from Mottarone at 5 pm.
Teléfono: +39 0323 302 95
The Mottarone aerial cableway
5. Wine testing in Langhe
Open a bottle in the best cellars
Categoría: Fotos, Gastronomía
Which wine from Langhe is your favorite: Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera or Dolcetto? You can decide during your vacation in Langhe, the area of southern Piedmont between Cuneo and Asti. You’ll be struck by the views over the vineyard-covered hills that extend as far as the eye can see, only interrupted by small towns, castles and farmhouses of farmers and vine growers. Many wine producers welcome visitors with tastings and guided tours of their wineries.
For example, at Tenuta del Barone, in Narzole, you can try red and white wines accompanied by cured meats, cheeses and truffles, and at Coppo in Canelli, you can even see the historic cellars carved into the tuff.
Ubicación: 14053 Canelli, Italy
Wine testing in Langhe
6. Hiking in the Great Forest of Salbertrand
Valley and mountain routes surrounded by history and nature
Categoría: Familias, Fotos, Opciones económicas
The trails of the Gran Bosco di Salbertrand (Great Forest of Salbertrand) are accessible all year round, whether that’s on foot or mountain bike in summer, or skis or snowshoes come winter. This Susa Valley nature park is crossed on the valley floor by the Via Francigena, the old pilgrims’ route that went from north-western Europe to Rome. Want to try your hand at more challenging hikes and elevation changes?
The Grande Traversata delle Alpi long-distance hiking trail goes up to the divide with the Chisone Valley at nearly 2,500 meters above sea level. Prefer exploring historical places? Follow the route Charlemagne traveled when he came to Italy to face the Lombards on the Sentiero dei Franchi (Trail of the Franks).
Ubicación: 10050 Salbertrand, Italy
Hiking in the Great Forest of Salbertrand
7. The world’s longest suspended bridge, in Claviere
Take a walk suspended between the walls of the abyss
Categoría: Fotos, Aventura
The Ponte Tibetano di Claviere (Claviere Tibetan Bridge) is a bridge that’s both thrilling and record-breaking. 544 meters long, it’s suspended over the Gorge di San Gervasio (San Gervasio Gorge), a magnificent natural ravine created by the erosion of glaciers and rivers. You have to cross three bridges to complete the route. The first crosses the gorge, while the second follows it for around 500 meters along the rock walls at a height of 30 meters.
The third bridge is 90 meters high and takes you back to the town. The route lasts around an hour and a half and you must wear a helmet, harness and safety gear, which you can hire from the ticket office.
Ubicación: Via Torino, 10, 10050 Claviere, Italy
Horario: July–August: daily from 9 am to 4.30 pm. June and September: Saturday–Sunday from 9 am to 4.30 pm.
Teléfono: +39 337 219 600
The world's longest suspended bridge, in Claviere
8. The Uriezzo Gorges
Walk along watercourses from the glacial age
Categoría: Fotos, Opciones económicas
Orridi di Uriezzo (Uriezzo Gorges), located in the Antigorio Valley, in the northernmost corner of Piedmont. When the ice melted thousands of years ago, the force of the water eroded the rocks and opened up impenetrable passages. Today, you can reach three gorges by following the paths of the old streams on foot, along the routes that leave from Premia, Baceno and Verampio.
Between the high rock walls, where flashes of sky and beams of light filtering down create amazing effects, the damp darknessencourages the growth of mosses and ferns. It’s a setting with a primeval allure that you can visit between spring and autumn. Guided hikes are organized during the summer months.
Ubicación: 28866 Premia, Italy
The Uriezzo Gorges
9. Inside the earth in the Dossi Cave
Experience an underground world full of color
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Fotos
The Grotta dei Dossi (Dossi Cave) is an amazing show of colors hiding underground, around 20 km east of Cuneo, among the pine groves covering Monte Calvario (Mount Calvario). The cave entrance is in the municipality of Villa Mondovì, where the unique geological structure formed by the mixing of clay with lots of different minerals has created a palette of colors that cover the underground rooms and corridors in stunning tones and shades.
Lights have been carefully positioned to bring out the features of the different neighborhoods. The temperature inside the cave is around 8°C or 9°C all year round, so be sure to bring appropriate clothing and, for your safety, wear shoes with non-slip soles.
Ubicación: Strada della Grotta, 12089 Villanova Mondovì, Italy
Horario: November–March: Sunday from 3 pm to 5 pm. April–October: Sunday from 3 pm to 6 pm. August: daily from 3 pm to 6 pm. July–September: Sunday from 10 am to noon.
Teléfono: +39 339 852 6515
Inside the earth in the Dossi Cave
10. Swim in Garavot Gorge
Dive into crystalline waters surrounded by rocks
Categoría: Familias, Fotos, Opciones económicas
At the Guje di Garavot (Garavot Gorge), you can jump into fresh, clean water and relax in the stillness of nature. Located in Valchiusella, around an hour from Turin by automobile, this gorge was created by the erosion of the torrent that carved out its path between the rocks, forming two small lakes connected by a narrow passageway.
With the right equipment, you can even dive down to discover the bottom, 9 meters below the surface. To reach this stunning spot, leave your automobile in the carpark along the Strada Provinciale road that crosses the valley and continue on foot along the path through the forest. The walk is about 20 minutes and offers some lovely views.
Ubicación: SP64, 95, 10010 Alice Superiore, Italy
Swim in Garavot Gorge
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