Piamprato: Mountain Trails, Architecture and Ski Resort

Piamprato lies in a hollow dotted with meadows and surrounded by coniferous forests. Travel interests range from local architectural history to walks and mountain trails, as well as the MTB route and ski resort. When planning, it is worth considering these activities as distinct reasons for visiting: a walk, a longer hike, a bike ride and a stay focused on the ski resort each have a different emphasis.

Meadow-Filled Hollow, Forest and Wildlife Watching

The route to Colle della Borra offers views of the head of the Ciardoney Valley, as well as the Campiglia and Piamprato valleys. There are good opportunities to spot marmots near the Grange di Vandilliana and just below the Grange della Borra. Chamois can be spotted on the slopes of the pass and along the ridge toward Rosa dei Banchi. Each of these locations provides a specific setting for wildlife watching.

The path to the Grange Prariond leads to extensive high-altitude plateaus, where marmots and grazing herds can be found. The plateaus and their wildlife offer a different focus from the views along the route to Colle della Borra.

Architecture and Local History

The “Lo Pra” cultural project highlights 18th-century architecture in Piamprato and the itinerant work of the “ruga” (tinsmiths). Alongside the trails and landscape, this offers a distinct cultural point of interest, focusing both on local architecture and the work of the “ruga.” Those who want to explore not only hiking routes but also local architectural history during their trip will find a fitting theme here.

Walk and Mountain Hike

Starting from the center of Piamprato, you can reach Big Bench No. 115 with a walk of about one hour and roughly 200 meters of elevation gain. The route from Piamprato to Lago Santanel takes about 6 hours and 30 minutes, making it considerably longer. It is rated difficulty E and is recommended from June to September. On the way back to Piamprato, the route passes through a larch forest and by a waterfall formed by the Rio Santanel. The two walks therefore differ above all in the time required and the route they follow.

Mountain Biking and Ski Resort

The MTB route from Piamprato to Grangia Ciavanassa leads to Pratorotondo, where downhill riding is also possible, and continues to Ciavanassa. This is a viewpoint above the Piamprato basin. The stops at Pratorotondo and Ciavanassa, along with the possible downhill section, provide the route with its own landmarks.

The Piamprato ski resort has a ski lift and a downhill run about 1 km long. The beginner area includes a magic carpet, a children’s slope and a “Baby Snow Park.”

Discover more destinations: Sangano, Beaulard, Salbertrand, San Secondo Di Pinerolo, Vigone, Torre Canavese, Pecetto, Front

For the broader travel overview: Turin.