Valgioie between hiking trails, viewpoints and local history

Valgioie reveals its distinctive character through a combination of hiking trails, mountain views and traces of rural life. Between the lower Susa Valley, the Avigliana Lakes and the heights around Monte Ciabergia, you will find different reasons to stay: short paths with views, longer hikes through forests and sites of cultural and historical interest along former routes.

Hiking trails with clear landmarks

The Modoprato–Colle Braida route is 4,300 metres long, takes about two hours and has a difficulty rating of E. It can be completed on foot or by mountain bike. Its starting point is at the tourist information point in Borgata Modoprato. This gives the route a clearly defined framework for actively exploring the surrounding area.

At the first equipped rest area along this route, there is a viewpoint over the lower Susa Valley and the Avigliana Lakes. The walk to Monte Ciabergia also opens up views of Orsiera-Rocciavrè and Monte Rocciamelone. Those who want to experience the landscape not only at their destination but also along the way will find two differently oriented perspectives here.

Forests, water and mountain landscapes

A Sacra-Natura route starting from Valgioie is suitable for hiking and requires at least half a day. It leads through sunny, south-facing forests to the opposite side of the Sacra in Val Sangone. For planning your day, this route is therefore a separate, more time-consuming option alongside the Modoprato–Colle Braida route.

The route passes the “Fontana delle Grosse”. Its distinctive water is known for its diuretic properties. A wayside shrine built in the 1950s also points the way to the protected “Ugo Campagna” woodland. The route continues to Pian Aschiero, where a wayside shrine of the same name marks the watershed between the Giaveno-Selvaggio and Coazze directions.

Local history along the trails

Bagagera has an old ice house. The ice stored there was later sold. Bagagera is also home to a communal oven that can be visited. Both places point to earlier forms of community life and provisioning, without requiring a museum visit in the strict sense.

The “Sentiero dei Morti” was formerly used to carry the deceased from Presa delle Rose to the cemetery in Tortorello. The path begins at the last house when leaving Presa delle Rose and continues a short distance beyond the hamlet of Bagagera. Its name and former function make it a particularly striking section of local history.

On the slope of Vernetta and at Colle di Castiglione, several artistically arranged monolithic rocks can be seen, which are regarded as evidence of druidic settlements in the area. For visitors interested in culture, this site adds to the historical traces that can be discovered in and along the hiking trails.

Getting there and choosing where to stay

Avigliana railway station is 14 km away and is served by the SFM3 Turin–Susa/Bardonecchia line. This information should be included in your travel planning when comparing arrival by train with onward travel. When choosing a hotel or other accommodation in Valgioie, you can also decide whether the focus of your stay should be on hiking, mountain biking, landscape views or local history.

Further destinations to compare: Riva presso Chieri, Settimo Torinese, Caselette, Rondissone, Candiolo, Moriondo Torinese, Noasca and Montalto Dora.

For the overview of higher-level destinations: Turin.