Maddalena: Hiking Routes and History

Maddalena combines hiking routes with a history reflected in its buildings and old paths. This offers several points to consider when choosing where to stay: a route with a named destination, trails through stream valleys, and traces of the past. If you are looking for hotels in Maddalena, you can take these themes into account when planning your stay.

Hiking: a destination route or a trail through two valleys

The Maddalena–Colle della Roussa route begins in Maddalena at 770 meters and ends at Colle della Roussa at 2,030 meters. The Sentiero delle Acque offers a different focus: it runs uphill through the valley of the rio Brunello and downhill through the valley of the rio del Parco. The routes therefore differ in their orientation: one has a named endpoint and stated elevations, while the other passes through two valleys.

The Fontana Pitacrù is part of the Sentiero delle Acque and is described as a viewpoint and rest area. Ca’ Verde is also on this trail: the distinctive stone building with its steeply sloping roof was built in 1933 as a forest hut, the Rifugio Brunello. Along with its route through the valleys, these stops provide other recognizable points of reference.

From Maddalena, you can reach Prese Damon by car; from there, you can access the Sentiero delle Acque. Road conditions can vary, so check local trail conditions before setting out on a hike. The Maddalena–Colle della Roussa route and the Sentiero delle Acque are different options: decide which route description suits your plans based on whether you prefer a named destination or a trail through valleys.

The hamlet and traces of the past

The former school building in the Borgata Maddalena is now used as tourist and educational accommodation. Its courtyard is equipped for tourists to relax, read, and eat outdoors. The Rifugio La Madlena is also located in the historic Borgata Maddalena of Giaveno. It serves traditional Piedmontese cuisine made with local, seasonal ingredients; menus may change.

The Church of Santa Maria Maddalena was built in 1780 by Francesco Ferrero and expanded in 1930 based on a design by architect Lino Ravegnan. The Sentiero dei morti is another trace of the past: the deceased could be taken along this path from the valley to the cemetery of the Maddalena parish. The building’s history and the former use of the path represent different aspects of the area’s history.

The Palazzina Sertorio, now known as the Osservatorio per l’ambiente alpino, lies on the Maddalena–Colle della Roussa route. In the area around Maddalena, a scenic detour on the Sentiero dei Semplici also leads from the Borgata Verna to the Chapel of San Pietro e Giuseppe. This detour is a destination in its own right in the wider area and should not be confused with the trails that start in Maddalena.

Festival and local cuisine

The feast of Santa Maria Maddalena in Maddalena is one of the largest and most attended patron saint celebrations in the hamlets of Giaveno. Exact dates vary; if the festival is relevant to your trip, check the current program. Together with the Rifugio La Madlena’s regional, seasonal cuisine, it adds a culinary and festive dimension to the hiking routes and historic buildings. Your plans can therefore focus on distinct themes: trails with specific route features, historic sites, and a festival with changing dates.

Discover more destinations: Borgofranco D'ivrea, San Didero, Collegno, Pecetto, Bobbio Pellice, Piverone, Roure, Vinovo.

For the overview of the wider area: Turin.