Val Chisone - Mountain Activities
Area Mountain Activities
Agnelli Family Church
Val Chisone
Sometimes known as the Pinerolo valleys or the Waldensen or Vadesian Valleys
The natural beauty of Val Chisone is evident as you progress up the valley.
The Three Regional Parks help protect and preserve these natural resources for the enjoyment of visitors and locals alike, for years to come.
There has been a revival of interest in traditional murals and vertical meridians.
You will see many colorful murals depicting mountain life, decorating many municipal and private residences through out the valley and this part of Europe.
SerreMarchetto / Grandubbione (our neighborhood)
Bella Baita is an excellent choice to make us your home base to explore the many Val Chisone options. Return to your home sweet home, relax outside on our patio with some local beverages, wine or local micro brewed beer and sample the excellent Piemontese cuisine and fellowship. The choice is yours.
Our neighborhood:
Walking - Hiking- Stroll to our organic garden or walk up to the peaks of Cucetto, Merla or L'Aquila. There are circular walks and ones to the river with pools of refreshing water between the 7 bridges loop. We have been working with our local Alpine club to sign the paths and get them on a GPS system making it easier to find your way.
Mountain bike to the end of our road and the quaint ancient hamlets of Rocceria and Serre Moretto in the Grandubbione area. There are plenty of single track options for more experienced bikers and more challenging.
Rock Climbing - There is a popular rock climbing area towards Grandubbione and the end of our road. You can find information and photos of the climbing area at this Gulliver.it link.
E Bike for those of you that would like to try an easier mountain bike tour, try the new E Bikes.
Lower Val Chisone
Agnelli Church - This green domed church visible when you enter the valley from Pinerolo is part of the grounds of the birth place of Giovanni Agnelli, founder of the FIAT car industry. The Agnelli family still maintains the church, grounds and villa.
Hannibal’s Bridge - Local legend has it that General Hannibal and his men camped in this area during his 218 AD military campaign from Spain, crossing the alps in 15 days. It is said that he chose this area for its reputation for its dairy products, to help him nourish his troops and to recruit local tribes who were known not to get along with the tribes further on his route. This event is commemorated by this bridge in nearby Dubbione by the river.
Sunday Market Perosa Argentina - lively locals weekly market unusual for being on Sunday morning. Small but an interesting mix of food, clothes and stuff. You will find many businesses open till noon as well. There are other small markets on other days of the week for a taste of small town Italian life.
Upper Chisone Valley
Fenestrelle Fortress with its almost 4,000 steps, it is considered to be the largest fortress in Europe. Daily guided 3 or 8 hour trips in English upon arrangement. It is quite the impressive sight built up the side of the mountain, taking over 125 years to complete, only not to be needed.
Usseaux affords you a better view of the entire length of Fenestrelle fortress and a wander through the quaint village covered with murals and a bit of a circular hike up if you choose, through the Parco Orsiera Rocciavre will yield some spectacular views. It is a great choice for a day’s outing.
Pragelato: 2006 Olympic Ski Jumping & Flying area and Nordic set track Mecca, next to Val Troncea Park.
Sestriere: Famous ski area and site of the 2006 Winter Olympic Downhill races and annual World Cup races. Sestriere boasts of the highest golf course in Europe with magnificent panoramic mountain views. Stop in and see what Carlo the wood carver has been working on and try the local specialty sandwich, Gofri, made fresh and to order washed down with local Dolcetto wine if you wish.
Germanasca Valley
Val Chisone and Val Germanasca has a rich tapestry of history. Known, even today, as the Waldensen (Valdesian) Valleys, they are called so after the flight from religious prosecution in France where this Protestant sect originated in the 12th century. You will find evidence of this history through out our valleys.
The Prali area of Val Germansca, across the way from us, features Tredici laghi’s (13 lakes) above tree line walking, which is chairlift accessible daily, July and August and the first 3 weekends in September. You’ll find plenty of wildflowers and the remnants of old military buildings, amongst the small lakes. You might even see a marmot or two.
A €10 round trip ticket is a bargain for two chairlift rides up to Pian dell Alpet, 4,725ft (1440m) for the views, a coffee, a picnic or lunch at the restaurant and on to the second peak, Bric Rond, at 7,382ft (2250m). You can reach the Tredici laghi walk from either lifts. The breathtaking beauty of these above tree line spots should not be missed.The lift will accommodate your mountain bike as well, making a day of mountain biking at the top an achievable goal. Don’t forget your sun cream.
Scopriminiera: is a functioning talc mine, that offers daily tours and can be an excellent choice if you enjoy exploring inside the earth or if the weather decides not to be cooperative.
Wander through Pomaretto’s highest vineyard and later sample some of Val Chisone’s own Ramie wine.
Sample Bernard Family’s famous Genepy and Barathier elixirs, whose herbs are wild crafted in the high country, providing income for our Waldensen (Valdesian) neighbors.