Prazzo Superiore: Historic Centre and Trails in Valle Maira

Historic Centre with Its Own Character

The central square of Prazzo Superiore dates from around 1400. The square features an octagonal stone fountain. The old town hall has Celtic-style sculptures, bricked-up arches and a bifora window with a Celtic head.

The upper part of the village has numerous covered passageways, private gardens, an oven and access routes to the fields. Casa Clerici features medieval monofora windows, cornerstones and portals decorated with flowers, animals and human figures. Below the settlement, beside a mule track, there is a chapel dedicated to Saints SS. Giacomo e Filippo.

Trails along the River and in the Mountains

Flat walking trails along the Torrente Maira connect the lower and upper parts of Prazzo. In winter, cross-country ski trails run along these routes downstream to Ponte Marmora and upstream to Acceglio. A more demanding hike follows a gravel road from Prazzo across the river to Colletto di Canosio and Colle di San Giovanni. Both excursions from Prazzo are variants of the Percorsi Occitani. The route to Colletto di Canosio and Colle di San Giovanni, being the more demanding hike, requires different time planning than the flat trails along the Torrente Maira.

In the area around Prazzo Superiore, the Sentiero dei Pastori forms a circular route along the southern bastions of Monte Chersogno, offering views from Monviso to the Cuneo plain. Also in the area around Prazzo Superiore, the Sentiero Massimo Prando connects the high-altitude hamlets of Vallone di San Michele with Monte Chersogno and returns via Vallone di Ussolo and the Percorsi Occitani. The La vio dal charbu trail passes through areas of natural interest and leads to viewpoints. It is associated with Prazzo Superiore and the strada vicinale del Chiotto.

The Genistè is located in the area around Prazzo Superiore; in 1997, the Piemonte Region recognised it as a Sito di Interesse Regionale (SIR) because of its special botanical characteristics.

Winter Cross-Country Skiing Options

For winter days, the Prazzo Cross-Country Skiing Centre offers three trails: a very easy 4 km trail, an easy 4 km trail and a difficult 5 km trail. The Valle Maira Ski School offers individual and group cross-country skiing lessons, as well as snowshoeing excursions with a guide. Anyone using the trails should plan their daily exertion within a distance range of four to five kilometres and choose between very easy, easy and difficult.

The Sentiero della Canapa passes through areas where hemp was once soaked and processed, and returns to Prazzo Superiore. Borgata Rabiera is home to the only surviving hemp breaker in Valle Maira.

Discover More Places

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