San Giacomo between Monte Alpet, forest paths and Piedmontese Baroque

San Giacomo brings together winter sports, scenic paths and Piedmontese culture within a compact area. The natural terrace of Sangiacomo offers views towards the plain and the Maritime Alps. This makes the area suitable if you want to combine mountain activities with scenic impressions and selected cultural attractions.

Skiing on Monte Alpet

For beginners, the Campo Scuola Giardina is located in the centre of San Giacomo. The facility is suitable for people who are starting to learn to ski. The Monte Alpet ski area supplements this section with blue runs for beginners as well as red and black runs for more experienced skiers. In the Sangiacomo Cardini ski area, the lifts ascend from the village at 1,011 m to Monte Alpet at 1,611 m.

There is also a winter option away from the downhill runs: from the Croce dei Cardini, Baita Grupia can be reached by snowshoes or touring skis in about an hour. Baita Grupia on Monte Alpet is open on the days when the ski lifts are operating. Typical dishes, panini, hamburgers, desserts and cakes are served there.

Paths through forests, meadows and settlements

The route from Sangiacomo to Costacalda is a long, scenic and almost level walking path. It follows a mostly unpaved road and is completely surrounded by vegetation. Along the way, it passes through beech forests and sunny meadows, crosses small streams and eventually reaches Costacalda. The path also leads to Rifugio Maddalena above Vernagli. The settlement of Manere, with its numerous stone houses, lies along the route.

A clearly measured hiking option is Route 04.13 from San Giacomo di Roburent to Vernagli. It is 5,995 m long and takes 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes in one direction. The route from San Giacomo to Vernagli can be started at the Chiesa di San Giacomo Apostolo; several car parks are available in San Giacomo.

Church, historic paths and cycling options

The Chiesa di San Giacomo in San Giacomo was built in the mid-18th century in the Piedmontese Baroque style. It was probably based on a design by Francesco Gallo, who came from Mondovì. The agricultural road Via dei Cannoni provides another historical connection: it links Sangiacomo with Monte Alpet and continues to Alpe Robert. Its name recalls the transport of weapons and equipment through this area during the Napoleonic invasion.

For cycling, the Monte Alpet Bike Village offers five routes with increasing levels of difficulty. The facilities also include a bicycle workshop, rental of downhill, freeride and e-bikes, protective equipment and a bicycle washing service.

Event in summer 2026

The 26th edition of “Sangiacomo in Festival”, an international puppet theatre festival, is scheduled to take place in San Giacomo di Roburent from 26 July to 2 August 2026. The programme combines puppet theatre performances with educational and social opportunities.

When choosing a hotel or other accommodation in San Giacomo, you can align the focus of your stay with your own plans: winter sports, walking paths, a hike to Vernagli, cycling routes, scenery or Piedmontese architectural heritage each create different priorities. This keeps the accommodation decision closely connected to how you want to plan your days.

More destinations for planning your trip

If you would like to discover other places in addition to San Giacomo, you can find further points of interest at Robilante, Paroldo, Celle Di Macra, Valpone, Monchiero, Sanfront, Caraglio and Belvedere Langhe Cn.

For the overarching travel overview: Cuneo.