Valdieri: Nature, Thermal Waters and Rye Culture

Valdieri combines the natural beauty of the Maritime Alps, cultural history and thermal waters. The character of the town is particularly evident in its protected landscapes, botanical collections, nature trails and museums that preserve regional traditions.

Nature and trails through the Maritime Alps landscape

The Rocca San Giovanni-Saben Nature Reserve has protected a particularly biodiverse part of the Maritime Alps since 1984. The Valderia Botanical Garden offers a botanical introduction to the mountain world: it is home to around 500 species distributed across 14 areas.

The Parco Naturale Alpi Marittime is also part of this natural environment. It was established in 1980 to protect the environment and fauna of the former hunting reserve of the House of Savoy.

The Sentiero delle farfalle is an approximately one-hour nature and culture trail that can be covered on foot or by mountain bike. The steps of the former Cementir open-pit quarry provide a preferred habitat for Papilio alexanor. The trail therefore combines its nature-focused character with a specific view of the traces of earlier use and the wildlife of this section. The indication of approximately one hour helps you take the Sentiero delle farfalle into account as a time-limited section of a day's itinerary.

For more accessible exploration of the garden, the Valderia Agil trail, opened in 2021, is available. Its wooden surface makes the lower section of the Valderia Botanical Garden accessible to everyone.

Cultural history and rye tradition

The archaeological area of the necropolis includes an open-air museum trail. On display are cremation urns as well as bronze and bone grave goods recovered during excavations. The site thus leads to specific archaeological objects and provides insight into the area's past, without requiring you to limit yourself to simply viewing the landscape.

In Sant’Anna di Valdieri, the Ecomuseo della Segale combines exhibitions with activities and events dedicated to the cultivation and processing of rye. The Museo della Civiltà della Segale also presents stories and traditions whose common theme is rye. Both institutions therefore focus on a single agricultural subject, but approach it differently: the ecomuseum combines exhibitions with practical and event-based formats, while the museum presents stories and traditions centred on rye.

Thermal waters and practical information on site

The Terme di Valdieri complex includes swimming pools with hyperthermal sulphur water. The thermal facility and its associated services are open every year from the end of May to September. The opening period from the end of May to September provides a clear seasonal framework for thermal visits on site. At the Terme di Valdieri visitor centre, you will find a permanent exhibition about the protected areas of the Valle Gesso, a park shop and temporary exhibitions. Thus, alongside the thermal waters, Valdieri also focuses on information about protected landscapes and changing cultural content.

Discover more destinations

For further regional orientation, you can also consider Garessio, Guarene, Neviglie, San Lorenzo, Ceva, Arietti, Carrù and Paroldo.

For the overarching travel overview: Cuneo.