San Giuseppe: Hiking Routes, Forests and Historic Trails

San Giuseppe appeals to travelers who want to include hiking routes, chestnut forests and historic trails in their trip. The routes have different highlights: the GTA route to Il Truc starts at the San Giuseppe chapel near the bridge over the Cenischia; the Sentier8 starts in San Giuseppe; a section of the Via Francigena reaches the hamlet from Mompantero.

GTA route to Il Truc: Forest and Valley Views

The route to Il Truc climbs through a shady forest consisting mainly of oaks and chestnut trees. At clearings, the view over the valley below gradually opens up. The route reaches the abandoned Grange settlements of Castagneretto at an elevation of 930 m, surrounded by chestnut trees. Il Truc is a panoramic spur of Rocciamelone and the destination of the GTA. The elevation of 930 m refers to the Grange settlements, not Il Truc. On this route, shady forest sections and opening valley views are as much a part of the scenery as the abandoned settlements.

Sentier8: Mule Track, Ruins and Cascades

The Sentier8 starts in San Giuseppe and follows an old mule track to Pera Pusuera, a historic trail junction. The route passes through the striking ruins of the hamlet of Caselle and reaches Case Truccetti, a viewpoint. At its highest point, at 1,000 m, it crosses the alpine Sentiero Italia CAI route. On the descent, it passes centuries-old chestnut trees and the cascades of the Rio Nano. Pera Pusuera is therefore both the endpoint of the mule track described here and a historic trail junction. The elevation of 1,000 m refers to the highest point on the Sentier8; it is a different route from Castagneretto at 930 m.

Via Francigena: Arrival from Mompantero

A section of the Via Francigena reaches the hamlet of San Giuseppe from Mompantero via a side road. Dry-stone walls line the road, which passes through meadows and vineyards. Unlike the GTA and the Sentier8, which start in San Giuseppe, this section is described as an arrival in the hamlet. This is a practical distinction when choosing a route: the focus here is on the way from Mompantero and the landscape along the side road.

Compare Routes and Plan Your Stay

The three routes can be distinguished by their described features: the GTA brings together shady forest, valley views, Castagneretto and Il Truc. The Sentier8 combines a mule track and trail junction with ruins, a viewpoint and cascades. The Via Francigena section, by contrast, leads to San Giuseppe along a side road lined with dry-stone walls, through meadows and vineyards. This lets you compare the routes by the landscapes and cultural heritage that matter for your trip.

You can park your car in Piazza Mattei in the San Giuseppe district. Check locally before your trip that this parking option is still available. Before setting out on a hike, also check whether the route markers and conditions are up to date, as they may change. If you are looking for hotels in San Giuseppe, the different routes can be a helpful starting point for planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: San Maurizio Canavese, Brosso, Borgone Susa, Airali, Ala Di Stura, Banchette, Sauze Di Cesana, Quincinetto

For the broader travel overview: Turin.