Ceresole Reale: Reservoir and GTA Hiking Stage

For trip planning, Ceresole Reale can be considered through three specific themes: the artificial lake, the GTA hiking stage from Ceresole Fonti to Noasca, and the Nivolet area. They offer different perspectives on landscape, activity and history. At the lake, the focus is on a circular route along the shores; the GTA stage is defined by its starting point and destination, its elevation figures and its old hamlets. In the Nivolet area, high-mountain scenery and wildlife watching are also part of the picture. If you’re looking for a hotel in Ceresole Reale, this distinction can help you organize the themes that matter for your trip.

Reservoir: construction history and circular route

Lago di Ceresole is an artificial lake. Construction of the dam on Lago began on 22 July 1925, giving the reservoir landscape a specific historical context. The Giro Lago Ceresole Reale describes another aspect of the lake: the circular route runs along its shores. The construction history and the route along the shore answer two different questions—how the reservoir fits into its historical context and what the circular route follows. As a type of route, the loop is distinct from the linear course of the GTA stage. This means you can decide while planning between a route that follows the lakeshore and a hiking stage with a different destination.

Colle del Nivolet and natural environment

Colle del Nivolet is a 2,612-meter-high Alpine pass in the Graian Alps. It lies between Valle dell'Orco in Piedmont and Valsavarenche in the Aosta Valley, within the protected area of Gran Paradiso National Park. Its elevation identifies the pass as a high-alpine point, while its location places it between two valleys in different regions. The Nivolet area’s landscape is shaped by extensive alpine meadows, numerous ponds and marshes, and the Dora del Nivolet. Chamois, ibex and marmots, as well as various amphibian and bird species, can be seen there. Wildlife sightings are seasonal and not guaranteed; if wildlife watching is one of your travel interests, plan for it as a possibility rather than a definite experience.

GTA hiking stage: elevation, hamlets and landscape

The GTA hiking stage runs from Ceresole Fonti in Ceresole Reale, at an elevation of 1,501 meters, to Noasca, at 1,058 meters. Along the way, a park landscape gives way to old hamlets. They bear witness to intensive settlement, which peaked in the mid-19th century. The section in Vallone del Roc is particularly rich in wildlife, and chamois frequent the area. This stage is defined not only by its two elevation figures: the succession of parkland and hamlets, along with the history of settlement, also gives it a distinctive character.

Choosing a route and practical information

So when choosing, the keyword “hiking” is not the only thing that matters: the Giro is a circular route by the lake, while the GTA is a stage between two named places with a landscape and settlement history. The Ceresole Reale tourist office is located in Località Pian della Balma; check its location before setting off. Local conditions for the Giro may vary. Check current conditions before your hike.

Discover more destinations: Rivalta Di Torino, Brusasco, Vinovo, Piossasco, Exilles, Bardonecchia, Alpignano, Vacci.

For the broader travel overview: Turin.