Cavaliggi between Hiking Trails, Apple Culture, and History

Cavaliggi Between Trails and Local History

The Cappella di Santa Maria della Valle is located in the Cavaliggi district.

Agriculture and Apple Culture

Azienda Agricola L’Ostal in the Cavaliggi hamlet operates an agritourism business and offers educational activities in the field and laboratory. It has also recovered around 50 old native apple varieties. The activities in the field and laboratory combine educational work with the preservation of these old varieties.

At an event held on October 20 at Azienda Agricola L’Ostal in the Cavaliggi hamlet, visitors took a walk through the orchard focusing on traditional apple varieties and organic farming. The same program also included a blind tasting of different apples, as well as tastings of juices and several varieties of organic cider. The event thus combined a walk through the orchard with a tasting, making both cultivation and varieties, as well as apple-based drinks, part of the program.

The Sentiero dei Frati

The Sentiero dei Frati runs on both sides of the Torrente Grana between Valgrana and Monterosso Grana. It follows the irrigation channels built on the initiative of Benedictine monks at the ancient Santa Maria della Valle priory in the Cavaliggi district of Valgrana.

Ridge Trails and Route-Finding

Before Cavaliggi, the Sentiero dei Frati runs along the southern slope of Bric la Plà. The Curnis Auta section of the La Piatta/Barma Rossa – Valle Grana circular route follows a ridge between the Valle Grana near Monterosso Grana and the lower Valle Maira near Tetti di Dronero. There are also trail sections supported and bordered by dry-stone walls. For planning a day out, this results in different types of terrain: before Cavaliggi lies the southern slope of Bric la Plà, while Curnis Auta describes the ridge between the Valle Grana and the lower Valle Maira; dry-stone walls accompany further sections.

The Anello Montemale – Piatta – Castelmagno

The Anello Montemale – Piatta – Castelmagno also offers a clearly structured sequence. From B.ta Piatta Inferiore, the circular route descends to Cavaliggi. After Cavaliggi, it follows the provincial road toward Pradleves before beginning the final ascent to the Santuario di Castelmagno at 1,760 m above sea level. In addition, the La Piatta/Barma Rossa – Valle Grana circular route turns into the Cumbal della Piatta about 600 meters after the turnoff to Cavaliggi. For planning a day out, the two circular routes differ: the Anello includes a descent, a section toward Pradleves, and the final ascent; the other circular route changes direction about 600 meters after the Cavaliggi turnoff. The 1,760 m refers to the Santuario di Castelmagno, not to Cavaliggi.

Other Places for Orientation

For further orientation, you can also visit Busca, Arietti, Neviglie, Chianale, Pontechianale, Priocca, Frabosa Sottana, and San Bernardino.

For the broader travel overview: Cuneo.