Alice Superiore: Lakes, Moraines and Traces of Valchiusella

Alice Superiore reveals its distinctive character through the combination of a moraine landscape, lakes and cultural-historical traces. Two different approaches are particularly close at hand: the Laghi di Alice represent a landscape shaped by geological and ecological features, while Frazione Gauna and the Torbiera area offer insights into the history of work and settlement. This picture is complemented by paths through Valchiusella, as well as individual cultural and natural destinations in the surrounding area.

Lakes, Moraine and Woodland Landscape

The Laghi di Alice are located on the right lateral moraine of the Ivrea Moraine Amphitheatre at the entrance to Val Chiusella. The lakes are home to lake and moorland habitats, as well as damp deciduous forests with black alder trees (Alnus glutinosa). The landscape around the Laghi di Alice is characterised by chestnut forests, which cover approximately half of the area; meadows and grazing land are found in clearings and along the edges of the woods. The Chiusella stream has carved the Gola di Garavot. This combination is interesting if you would like to experience bodies of water, forest types and geological formations not separately, but as an interconnected landscape.

Historic Traces in Alice Superiore

In Frazione Gauna are the remains of forges, mills and a hemp fulling mill. The remains can be reached from Frazione Gauna via the old mule track; alternatively, access begins near the Rueglio – Reg. Molini bridge and follows the mule track towards Issiglio. The last forge built in Valchiusella dates from 1861 and remained in operation until 1948. The west façade of the Chiesa di San Martino Vescovo features a fresco of Saint Martin in a lunette. In the Torbiera area of Alice Superiore are the remains of pile-dwelling settlements; their earliest traces date back at least to 3000 BC. For your visit, the historical arc therefore extends from regional crafts to very early settlement traces.

Paths through Valchiusella

The western section of L’Alta Via dell’Anfiteatro Morenico di Ivrea runs from Brosso to Ponte Preti through the moraine of Valchiusella and passes along the shores of the lakes of Meugliano and Alice Superiore. A road-running event organised by the Campionato Canavesano UISP covers approximately 12 km through five municipalities of Valchiusella: Alice Superiore, Lugnacco, Pecco, Issiglio and Vistrorio. These two connections reveal the range of landscapes in the surrounding area: from a section through the moraine to an event route of approximately 12 km.

Cultural and Natural Destinations in the Surrounding Area

The surrounding area of Alice Superiore also includes Castello di Banchette, a castle, the Museo Della Carale Accattino and Spazio Pitetti - ArteinFuga, both museums, as well as the Palace of Credenza, a palace. The Cascata di Fondo in Valchiusella is a waterfall in the surroundings of Alice Superiore. Cima Bonze, Cima Battaglia and Bec Renon are mountains in the surroundings of Alice Superiore.

Further Destinations

For further orientation: Moncalieri, Foglizzo, Piamprato, Garibaldi, Pavarolo, Bruzolo, Villafranca Piemonte, Montalenghe

For the overarching travel overview: Turin.