It's summer and the heat is on. Why not find relief by trekking in Piedmont? Hiking through the mountains of this Northern Italian region can be a great idea if you're looking for an outdoor leisure experience.
Some of the highest mountain ranges in Italy and Europe are in Piedmont. Among all Italian regions, it is Piedmont that boasts record heights: Monviso in the Cottian Alps, the Monte Rosa in the Pennine Alps; Gran Paradiso and Mont Blanc are part of the Graian Alps.
In fact, the region is not just a mountain destination: it is highly sought after for its picturesque alpine lakes, valleys, villages, and mountain huts where you can savor Piedmont's most typical dishes.
Piedmont is home to countless fascinating valleys. The Orco Valley, Val Grande, Susa Valley, Viù Valley, Lanzo Valleys, Tanaro Valley, and Po Valley are just a few examples. The list is very long and impossible to cover exhaustively in a few lines.
In this article, we'll give you some tips on trekking routes to explore in Piedmont. From the mountains to the flatter valleys, from Turin to the Italian-French border, you’ll have plenty of ideas. Take notes!
The Great Alpine Crossing: A Classic Piedmont Trek
This thousand-kilometer itinerary has a decades-long history and is suited for experienced hikers, who have consistent and proper training. However, some sub-routes are manageable even for those with less experience.
It was inaugurated in the 1970s and follows a trail from the mountains of Domodossola to the Ligurian Alps. It will take you to the summit of Monte Rosa, Gran Paradiso, and Monviso, to the sources of the Po River..
You don’t have to complete all its stages: after all, doing just one means walking between five and eight hours! The basic conditions are challenging, but it’s worth it.
Occitan Routes in the Maira Valley
This is an alpine itinerary that gradually softens as you approach the glacial basins of Acceglio and Chiappera, on the border with France.
Sixteen stages from the Alps to the Pyreneesin a wide corner of Piedmont that is the cradle of Occitan culture and language, with lively villages and traditions.
Along the way, you can stop at inns and mountain huts and savor local gastronomic specialties and zero-kilometer products, offered by local agritourism businesses.
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Hikes in the Paradise of the Susa Valley and the Sacra di San Michele
The Susa Valley is known for its mountains reaching heights of three thousand meters and above, rising over a wooded area where cross-country skiing enthusiasts will find their space and where traces of history remain vivid.
If you want to do one or more hikes in Piedmont, this area is an absolute must.
Among the highest peaks in the Susa Valley are Rocciamelone and Punta Roncia or Punta di Ronce, both in the Graian Alps. Punta Roncia is the highest in the valley and still bears marks of the partisans' fight against Nazifascism.
Going back in time, also noteworthy is the Fort of Exilles, a medieval monument that in the 17th century hosted an enigmatic figure known as the “Man in the Iron Mask.”
The Susa Valley, being close to France, also intersected with the Via Francigena. Among the traces left by pilgrims is the Sacra di San Michele, a solemn example of sacred architecture that effortlessly blends with the surrounding nature.
The Sacra di San Michele is just a stone’s throw from Turin, so it’s not difficult to reach.
Trekking in Piedmont at the Avigliana Lakes
Linked to Monte Pirchiriano is the trail inside the Avigliana Lakes Regional Natural Park..
This area bears the marks of prehistoric glaciations, visible in water bodies with breathtaking and ever-changing views. Trekking at Lago Grande di Avigliana also means you can swim in a natural pool equipped with buoys and ladders.
Don’t forget to visit the nearby village of the same name, which hosts a castle, a Clock Tower, and a Gothic church. A must-see destination if you want to explore the entire area.
Lake Orta and Lake Afframont
Other lakes around which to trek are Lake Orta, connected to the Sacred Mountain of Orta and a larger complex that includes the Sacred Mountain of Orta Reserve,Monte Mesma, and Torre Buccione.
On Monte Mesma, you can visit the Church of San Nicolao,a 17th-century Franciscan convent whose square offers an exceptional panoramic viewpoint: from here you can see the entire lake area and the tower.
In Val d’Ala, you can walk around Lake Afframont,along a path immersed in a snowy landscape. The larch forest that characterizes it is at its best in autumn, thanks to the season’s typical colors.
This route is varied: it first leads you through a dense forest, then towards flatter areas and old alpine pastures..
Walking to Discover Medieval Monferrato
Monferrato has avery important historical heritage. In the Middle Ages, it was a strategic point where roads leading to Genoa and Milan met.
Its capital, Casale Monferrato, was the scene of conflicts between not only Italian but also European noble houses.
You can experience medieval Monferrato by following the Burnt Castles Trekking Route,a four-stage trail that weaves through eleven villages in the Cerrina Valley. History and nature characterize this path, discovering churches and castles immersed in awine-growing setting..
For analmost mystical experience,discovering sacred and devotional places, it is recommended to follow the path leading to the Madonna Sanctuary located in Serralunga di Crea.The complex is part of the Sacred Mountains of Piedmont circuit, now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Along this route, you’ll be accompanied by churches and chapels linked to the mysteries of the rosary, as well as centuries-old oaks and ashes. Once again, nature takes center stage.
The Paleologi Castle
The imposing Paleologi Castle evokes the period when Monferrato experienced sieges and wars between European powers.Among the houses that occupied it were the Paleologi of Monferrato, the Anjou, the Gonzaga, and the Savoy.
Here too, hiking in this site means being surrounded by a landscape of vineyards.Wineries and ancient stone farmhouses are central in this territory, where famous companies produce exceptional wines that are a heritage of the entire region, such as Barbera..
If you want to go trekking and enjoy other experiences in Piedmont, among its valleys, mountains, and amazing itineraries, one last tip we want to give you is to join Meeters.
In this community, you’ll find friendly travel companions,just a step from your home. You’ll also have the advantage of being guided by expert leaders.