Campiglia Soana: Hiking Trails, Nature and Culture

A walking trail leads from Campiglia Soana to Pian dell’Azaria; another route crosses the Azaria plains, while an MTB route follows the Torrente Campiglia. Other attractions include the “L’uomo e i coltivi” visitor center, the Oasi Mario Rigoni Stern and the Santuario di San Besso. When choosing your stay, you can therefore distinguish between a walking trail with a stated duration and elevation gain, opportunities to observe nature in spring, a mountain biking route and cultural and historical sites.

Visitor Center and Plant Observation

At the “L’uomo e i coltivi” visitor center, the visitor route includes a 2,500-square-meter outdoor area. Information panels accompany a trail that passes near areas where various plant species can be observed. The walk combines information with a glimpse of the plant life. Admission is free; only any workshops incur a fee. Check the visitor center’s seasonal opening information before your trip.

The Walking Trail to Pian dell’Azaria

The walking trail from Campiglia Soana to Pian dell’Azaria is easy and suitable for less experienced hikers and families with children. The ascent is listed as 300 meters of elevation gain and takes about two and a half hours. The hike starts at the Campiglia Soana parking lot. As parking availability can vary seasonally, it is worth factoring the parking lot into your plans and checking its availability before setting out.

Spring Nature and Mountain Biking Route

The Campiglia–S.Besso–Grange Arietta route crosses the Azaria plains. In spring, visitors may be able to spot chamois and marmots, as well as alpine flora; however, wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. If you are particularly interested in seasonal wildlife and plant life, this information is relevant when planning the timing of your visit.

Another option is the “Da Campiglia Soana alla Grangia Barmaion” mountain biking route. It follows the Torrente Campiglia and includes stops at Pian dell’Azaria and the “L’uomo e i coltivi” visitor center. This distinguishes it from the walking trail to Pian dell’Azaria through its focus on mountain biking and its explicitly listed stops. The route descriptions offer different ways to experience the area: on foot, with a stated duration and elevation gain, or by mountain bike along the Torrente Campiglia.

Santuario di San Besso and Oasi Mario Rigoni Stern

The Santuario di San Besso stands near Campiglia Soana at an elevation of 2,019 meters, at the foot of Monte Fantono. A rock overhang shelters the sanctuary, which can be reached on foot from Campiglia. Its history dates back at least to the first chapels, built from 1548 onward. The Santuario was completed in 1669. These two dates mark different milestones: the beginnings of the first chapels and the later completion of the sanctuary.

Since 2012, the Oasi Mario Rigoni Stern at Pian dell’Azaria has been dedicated to the writer Mario Rigoni Stern. Along with the Santuario di San Besso, it adds two named cultural points of interest to the natural attractions: an oasis dedicated to a writer and a sanctuary with a construction history dating back to the 16th century. Those choosing Campiglia Soana can include these cultural sites alongside the walking and mountain biking routes described here, without combining the separate routes into a single tour.

Discover more destinations: Nole, Giaveno, Maglione, Pecetto, Baldissero Torinese, Montalto Dora, Borgofranco D’ivrea, Andezeno

For the overview of the wider area: Turin.