Piedmont's mountain worlds present their "summer hits"

Piedmont, in the north-west of Italy, with borders to Switzerland and France, has everything to keep outdoor fans happy, from hills to Alpine peaks. For summer and fall 2025, eight tourism associations in the region present their "hit list" - adventure routes for all those who love hiking or biking, and events that bring the spectacular landscapes closer to them in culinary terms.

The valleys of Cuneo with the picturesque Maira Valley, the Sesia Valley, the Susa Valley with the winter sports mecca of Bardonecchia, the Lanzo Valleys, the Canavese area and the Biella Alps have a lot in common. They are characterized by an incomparable mixture of alpine culture and a pinch of Mediterranean lightness. After all, there has always been trade and change between the ports of the Riviera and the mountainous hinterland, and this exchange has left its mark and shaped mentalities. Due to the special geographical conditions, however, each of these mountain and valley worlds has its very own character. Each can delight holidaymakers with its special natural scenery and cultural attractions.

The Maira Valley, nestled between the iconic Monviso mountain in the north and the Maritime Alps in the south, was marked by emigration for many decades. The underdeveloped infrastructure has recently become an asset. The valley enchants visitors with its almost untouched natural beauty, lovingly restored village centers and almost unlimited hiking and mountain bike tour options, such as the _Percorsi Occitani_, 14 trekking stages through the entire valley. One of these is the _Sentiero sul Maira_, an approximately 52 km long hiking trail that connects historic villages above the Maira torrent.

Cuneo, the provincial capital located at the entrance to the valley, is not just an exciting place for sightseeing. Cuneo can also be the starting point for exciting cycle tours. A guided three-day tour, for example, takes you through the Grana Valley with the legendary Castelmagno. From there, it continues to the baroque town of Mondovì and the pilgrimage church in Vicoforte, whose domed roof can be climbed with a helmet and harness. The tour ends in Valcasotto. The tiny village boasts the Castello Reale, a royal residence. Also worth seeing are the ancient cellars where a special cheese matures. A tasting is not to be missed.

Three-day tour through fashion designer Zegna's oasis

Biella, located between Turin and Lake Maggiore, is surrounded by mountains, hills and heathland up to 2,600 meters high. The _Cammino di Oropa_, one of the most popular hiking trails in Italy, winds its way through the Biella Alps. Stages of varying length and difficulty lead through a landscape of impressive and wild beauty to the pilgrimage site of Oropa, the largest Marian shrine in the Alps. Cammino di Ermenegildo_ is the name of a new hiking trail that leads through small villages steeped in history and the breathtaking alpine landscapes of the Oasi Zegna in three one-day stages. The 100 square kilometer nature reserve was created and financed by the foundation of textile visionary Ermenegildo Zegna. Rifugi con Gusto" is the name of a series of events in the Biella Alps, which offers specialty tastings at Alpine huts until the end of September. Over the course of six weekends, one mountain hut will offer the opportunity to sample local delicacies such as cheese, grappa and wine.

Canyoning, rafting and classic

Between Turin and the Aosta Valley lies the Canavese, a green area that can be discovered on countless trails. Nature plays the undisputed leading role in this area and the big star is the _Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso_. The wild side of the national park, which was the first in Italy, can also be discovered by children on easy tours with a nature guide. Between Biella and Canavese lies Lake Viverone, which is ideal for swimming and many water sports. E-bikes can be rented on the shore to explore the surrounding hilly landscape of the Serra Morenica with its vineyards, fields, towers, castles and medieval villages.

Between Turin and Switzerland lies Valsesia, named after the river that rushes down from Monte Rosa towards the Po Valley. The Sesia Valley is considered the greenest area in Italy and is ideal for river sports - from canoeing to rafting, from hydrospeed to canyoning. The geological attraction of the area is a super volcano that became extinct almost 300 million years ago and is now part of a UNESCO geopark. Outdoor experiences can be combined with classical music throughout the summer in Valsesia. For example, at the Alagna Music Festival at the beginning of August and at the Sapori di Alta Quota, slow food delicacies can be tasted at the highest altitude.

Around 50 kilometers north of Turin, the Lanzo valleys, the cradle of alpine mountain sports in Italy, are recommended. With peaks 4,000 meters high, glaciers, climbing walls and challenging hiking and biking trails, the area fulfills the desire for adventure and freedom at its finest. Together with the Consorzio della Valle Maira, the tourism operators of the Lanzo valleys are offering a voucher promotion. If you book three nights by the end of 2025, you get another one free, and if you book seven nights, you can extend your vacation with two more free hotel nights. (The vouchers can be redeemed until May 15, 2026).

A thousand years of history in the Susa Valley

Val Susa can also be reached very quickly by train from Turin. Historical mountain routes, bike parks, valley ring routes for families, mountain lakes and streams for fishing enthusiasts also make the Susa Valley a versatile outdoor playground. The old pilgrimage route Via Francigena brings together fascinating spiritual places. One of the many historic mountain roads in the area is the Assietta ridge road, which can be traveled by bike or motorcycle depending on the day of the week. Another historically interesting route is the Alpine Fortress Trail, which once formed the defensive wall between Piemonte and France. Fort Exilles allows visitors to immerse themselves in the region's military history and the realm of historically inspired legends. With "Borgate in cammino", the Susa Valley offers hikes suitable for everyone until the end of July, accompanied by a nature guide and storyteller who stages a story inspired by the route at each stage.

Bardonecchia in the heart of the Susa Valley lies in a sunny valley at an altitude of 1,312 meters and is framed by peaks over 3,500 meters high. From hiking trails to mule tracks and military roads, the network of paths here leaves practically nothing to be desired and bike fans can have fun on the routes in the bike park in Val Troncea. The Susa Valley has always been an important link to France. The paths of pilgrims, traders and armies crossed here. This thousand-year-old history can be traced in places such as the Benedictine Abbey of Novalesa near Turin and the Sacra di San Michele, an imposing Benedictine abbey. Located at the entrance to the Val di Susa, it is considered the guardian of the valley and thanks to its impressive size and exposed location, it has become a landmark of the Piedmont region.

Sestriere, Sauze d'Oulx, Cesana Torinese (Sansicario) and Claviere are transformed into an open-air gym in summer, perfect for outdoor activities thanks to a network of mountain roads, ideal for hiking, cycling and horseback riding, which can also be accessed by motorcycle or off-road vehicle on some days of the week. From the historic mountain routes to the bike parks, from the mountain lakes to the streams for anglers and the exciting panoramas for lovers of nature photography and wildlife observation: the valley is an Eldorado for outdoor enthusiasts of all fitness levels.

Maggioni Gretz GmbH
Dietrich-Bonhoeffer-Str. 3
10407 Berlin
Germany

https://maggioni-gretz.de/

Frau Susanne Kilimann
+49 (0)30 44044398

presse@maggioni-gretz.de

In 2005, Roberto Maggioni founded "Maggioni Tourist Marketing" in Berlin, a company that focuses on the international tourism industry as a communications and marketing agency.

This release was published on openPR.