Isasca between forests, meadows and high-altitude trails

Isasca between forests, meadows and hamlets

In Isasca, forests, sunny meadows, abandoned houses and renovated rural homes alternate with one another. This juxtaposition shapes the area's landscape and makes different ways of exploring it appealing. In spring, snowdrop blossoms can be seen in the meadows on the valley floor of Isasca. This creates a landscape in which nature and settlement patterns stand directly alongside each other.

This character is particularly vivid in Borgata Poncino. It consists of a compact row of houses following the contours of a steep slope. The layout clearly shows the relationship between the buildings and the terrain, giving the hamlet its own distinctive spatial character.

Walks, mountain bike rides and high-altitude trails

When choosing accommodation for a stay in Isasca, you can plan your days according to the level of activity you prefer. The connecting paths between Isasca's numerous hamlets allow for relaxing walks as well as mountain bike excursions. A walking route of around 1.5 hours leads through the agricultural landscape and hamlets of the Vallone di Roca Plina to Costa Manforte. At 1,033 m, Costa Manforte is the highest point of the high-altitude trail and offers extensive panoramic views. This allows you to combine different types of paths and landscape impressions without blurring the character of the individual sections.

Another destination for a shorter walk is the Cappella di San Chiaffredo. It can be reached from the built-up area in around ten minutes on foot via the old road to Brondello. Thus, alongside paths through agricultural landscapes and hamlets, a single sacred building provides a specific destination in the surroundings of Isasca.

Stages through chestnut forests and past the marble quarry

The Isasca–Frassino stage begins in Isasca via Borgata Castello and then continues through chestnut forest. On a high-altitude trail near Isasca, the route passes an old marble quarry. The two route descriptions focus on different aspects: one highlights the transition from the borgata into the forest, while the other focuses on encountering a historical feature of the local landscape.

For longer-term planning, the Verzuolo–Isasca hiking stage is also relevant. It is 13.60 km long, takes about five hours and is classified as “Escursionistico”. The stage cannot be reached by public transport. If you plan to take this route, you should consider its length, approximate duration and stated transport situation together.

Historical traces in the landscape

Only a few ruins remain of the old castle of Isasca's former feudal lords. Together with the Cappella di San Chiaffredo and the old marble quarry, these visible traces are concrete points of reference for understanding the history and use of the landscape. Isasca thus combines paths through forests and agricultural landscapes with surviving remnants from different local contexts.

Further destinations for your travel planning

Further destinations for your planning: Paroldo, Neive - Borgonovo, San Michele di Mondovì, Elva, Costigliole Saluzzo, Roata, San Lorenzo and San Bernardo.

To the main travel overview: Cuneo.