Locana: Mountains, Trails and Culture
Accommodation in Locana
Locana brings together Alpine landscapes, trails and cultural history. In the mid-mountain area, small hamlets with a rugged character and centuries-old chestnut forests shape the scenery, while views extend across much of the municipality. Nature, outdoor activities and local history are all part of planning a trip here. The boundaries of Gran Paradiso National Park are clearly defined: the park includes the northern part of Locana’s territory above the Orco, between the settlements of Perebecche and Prà , including the Valsoera and Piantonetto valleys.
Mountain Landscapes and Trails
The Vallone di Piantonetto is known for its diverse protected flora and fauna. Together with the chestnut forests and views in the mid-mountain area, the valley forms a distinctive natural highlight in the Locana area. The Alta Via del Canavese (A.V.C.) is marked as an important route in Locana and offers multi-day treks with overnight stops at accommodation, mountain huts and bivouacs. Check mountain conditions and mountain hut availability before setting out.
The Anello la CĂ , Lucenti e Orti circular trail offers a different time commitment: it is considered an easy, short route for an afternoon outing. The two routes suit different schedules: multi-day trekking on the Alta Via and a short afternoon outing on the circular trail.
The route to Punta Cia offers another mountain highlight. It leads from Località Carello past the huts at Alpe Cialma and Lago Cimur to the summit, where you can see the Gran Paradiso massif. Check mountain conditions before setting out on this route. Inaugurated in 2023, the chairlift runs from Località Carello, at an elevation of 1,416 m, to Alpe Cialma, at almost 1,800 m. Check the chairlift’s operating status before your trip.
Crafts and Everyday Alpine History
The “Locana: Antichi e nuovi mestieri” visitor center focuses on the traditional chimney-sweeping trade of the Valle Orco and Val di Rhêmes. In a recreated Alpine home, visitors can see how freshly milked milk was turned into butter and cheese. An animated play tells the story of the chimney sweeps’ hard lives. A model explains how the dam system and hydroelectric power station in the Vallone di Piantonetto work. The subjects range from domestic life to local craft history and hydroelectric power.
Architecture in Locana
The Parrocchiale di San Pietro in Vincoli was completed in 1681 and consecrated by Monsignor Trucchi. Its bell tower preserves Romanesque features: the mullioned windows made of local mica schist date to around 1300. The church also has a three-aisled floor plan; its façade and interior clearly display the Baroque style of the 17th century. This single building therefore shows both Romanesque details on the tower and the church’s Baroque design.
Choose Your Travel Focus
When looking for hotels in Locana, you can start by deciding what you want to focus on during your stay: multi-day trekking, a short afternoon walk, or cultural themes related to crafts and architecture. The destinations described offer specific options, without every itinerary needing to have the same duration or focus.
Discover more destinations: Almese, Roletto, Cinzano, Banchette, Settimo Vittone, Cuorgnè, Strambinello, Villafranca Piemonte
For the broader travel overview: Turin.
