Pristine nature, outdoor activities, or simple relaxation
COLLE DEL LYS PARK
The Viù Valley, with Colle del Lys as a key landmark, is a place of extraordinary beauty, where untouched nature invites you to enjoy outdoor adventures in every season. From climbing crags to hiking trails and snowy paths, every enthusiast will find their slice of paradise here.
Legend
CLIMBING
The Viù Valley is a true gem for climbing enthusiasts, offering four crags, two of which are located in the picturesque area of Colle del Lys. These walls host over 140 routes ranging in difficulty, providing challenges for both beginners and experienced climbers.
Monpellato Crag
Located at an altitude of 1,300 meters, this crag can be reached from Colle del Lys with a 5-minute drive followed by a 20-minute walk. Situated on the slopes of Monte Rognoso, it features sectors of varying difficulty, with both single-pitch and multi-pitch routes.
La Baita Crag
This panoramic crag, situated at 1,200 meters, is accessible year-round. To reach it, follow the direction to Ambrosinera, where two well-marked parking areas provide easy access. Each sector is equipped with resin anchors and safe belays, ensuring a secure and enjoyable climbing experience. The diverse walls cater to all needs, with routes suitable for children, beginners, and expert climbers seeking technical challenges.
Richiaglio Crag
Nestled in a stunning beech forest at 800 meters above sea level, Richiaglio Crag offers a unique atmosphere with its gneiss-serpentinite rock. It is accessible from Bertesseno village via a paved road leading to a small stone bridge, followed by a short trail. Its well-bolted routes include overhanging sectors that are approachable even for less experienced climbers, making it a charming spot for exciting climbs in every season except winter.
BOULDERING
Several areas have been equipped for bouldering just a few kilometers from Colle del Lys, particularly in Niquidetto and Rubiana.
HIKING
he Viù Valley is a hiker’s paradise, featuring a network of trails and mule tracks that traverse forests, pastures, and peaks, allowing for the exploration of lush nature and the breathtaking views of Colle del Lys. The routes range from light treks to more demanding itineraries, catering to every type of hiker.
Colle Portia – Colle Lunella
Starting from the Colle del Lys parking area, a dirt road at the end of the lot leads to the trailhead marked by an informational board. Partially overlapping with the famous Partisan Trail, the path begins with a gentle descent into a larch forest. Undulating sections around Monte Arpone offer stunning views of the valley below.
After about 45 minutes, a fork near a spring is reached. A steep climb to the right leads to Colle della Portia (1,328 meters) in 15 minutes. This expansive meadow provides a delightful view of Val della Torre and the vast Turin plain. A bivouac with a covered porch, benches, and a fireplace is ideal for a rejuvenating break.
Continuing left, the trail ascends gently to another fork, where a right descent reaches Colle Lunella (1,359 meters) in about 30 minutes. The flat grassy terrain here is perfect for soaking in the panoramic views. The loop trail returns to Colle del Lys in about an hour.
Monte Arpone
At 1,603 meters, Monte Arpone offers an easy ascent and an expansive panorama stretching from the Maritime Alps to Monviso, the glaciers of the Lanzo Valleys, Gran Paradiso, and Monte Rosa.
From Colle del Lys, a well-marked trail leads to the broad summit in about an hour. A loop option is available via the Ciapé Neir trail.
Monte Civrari – Punta Sourela
Monte Civrari rises majestically between the Susa Valley and the Viù Valley, marking the first significant ridge along the watershed dividing the two valleys. This mountainous group, with its many peaks, offers extraordinary views: from the Ligurian Apennines to the Eastern Alps, encompassing Turin, the Piedmont plain, and the rolling hills of Monferrato and Langhe. To the west, one can admire Rocciamelone, the peaks of the Susa Valley, and the snow-capped summits of the Parc National des Écrins. To the northwest, the renowned peaks of the Lanzo Valleys and Gran Paradiso come into view.
Among the Civrari peaks, Punta Sourela, at 1,770 meters, is one of the most accessible. Starting from the hamlet of Ambrosinera, it can be reached in approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. The path is relatively straightforward, although there are some steeper sections.
The main summit of Civrari, at an altitude of 2,302 meters, requires a longer hike of about 4 hours, beginning in the hamlet of Niquidetto. The trail initially follows paths and mule tracks, passing through a forest and alpine pastures. Beyond this area lies the Civrari Valley. After about 30 minutes, you’ll reach a small namesake lake. From there, the trail leads to Punta Imperatoria, offering spectacular views. While the route does not present significant technical challenges, it is recommended for experienced and well-trained hikers.
IN THE SNOW
Ski Mountaineering
The summer hikes to Punta Sourela and Monte Civrari, described in the trekking section, take on an entirely new dimension in winter when the snow-covered landscapes exude an irresistible charm. Equipped with ski mountaineering gear, adventurers are immersed in a realm of pristine beauty, gliding over untouched slopes and gentle hollows surrounded by white peaks against a clear blue sky.
The ascent to Monte Civrari presents an exhilarating challenge for expert ski mountaineers. The effort is richly rewarded by the breathtaking panorama from the summit: an endless expanse of snowy mountains and deep valleys, ideal for those who seek the purest essence of the alpine winter. Due to its level of difficulty, this excursion is recommended for those with solid physical fitness and technical skills, capable of handling the elevation gain and the hazards of snowy terrain.
Snowshoeing
For those who prefer to explore the mountain without skis, snowshoes provide an extraordinary way to experience the magic of winter. These simple yet effective tools make it easy to traverse soft snowy blankets, opening the door to a world of hushed silences and untouched landscapes.
The Colle del Lys area offers numerous trails suitable for all experience levels. Easier routes, such as those winding along the cross-country ski trail, provide a safe and accessible path, perfect for families and beginners. Yet even on these trails, the mountain delivers unforgettable emotions: enchanting glimpses through larch forests and panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.
For a more intense adventure, head to higher destinations like Punta Sourela, at an altitude of 1,770 meters. Here, the landscape becomes even more spectacular, with vistas extending across the snowy horizon, blending sport with wonder.
Cross-Country Skiing
In winter, Colle del Lys transforms into a true paradise for cross-country skiing enthusiasts. Departing directly from the Refuge, visitors can immerse themselves in the pristine beauty of the area along a forest trail that extends for 15 kilometers round trip.
The route winds through larch woods, revealing new alpine charms with every stride: gentle descents alternate with long flat sections, offering a varied and enjoyable itinerary suited for both beginners and experienced skiers. Along the way, the grandeur of the snowy mountain landscape unfolds, with views stretching across the Graian Alps, creating moments of pure awe.
Gliding through these landscapes on skis means not only practicing a sport but also forging a deep connection with nature, rejuvenating the soul with silence and filling the eyes with beauty.
Nature
VEGETATION
Since 2004, Colle del Lys has been recognized as a protected area and a Provincial Nature Park, a precious haven for the biodiversity of the Lanzo Valleys. Once dotted with lively alpine pastures, this area has undergone significant vegetative transformation due to the abandonment of traditional agricultural and pastoral activities. Today, the lower elevations are dominated by dense conifer forests of larches, black pines, and spruces, often the result of reforestation efforts. These are interspersed with heaths and beech forests, dotted with mountain ashes and alder thickets.
A special mention goes to the eastern ridge of Colle del Lys, home to a rare botanical gem: Euphorbia gibelliana, an endemic species of Piedmont first described in 1892. This unassuming plant, lacking showy beauty, holds extraordinary allure: its roots date back to the late Cenozoic Era, having survived glaciations as a living witness to Earth’s ancient history. Identified by the Italian Botanical Society as a species at risk of extinction, Euphorbia gibelliana can be observed along trails above 1,000 meters in altitude. In May and June, its flowering cycle produces delicate yellow inflorescences that blend harmoniously with the surrounding natural colors. By autumn, the plant retreats into winter dormancy, with its rhizomes silently overwintering 10–30 centimeters underground.
GEOLOGY
The Colle del Lys and Monte Arpone attract geology and Earth science enthusiasts from all over the world, fascinated by the area’s geological complexity. This region is part of the southern sector of the Lanzo Massif, a unique mountain formation almost entirely composed of peridotites—rocks that once formed the Earth’s mantle, the layer between the planet’s crust and core.
These ancient rocks tell a story that dates back millions of years. Thanks to their structural and compositional characteristics, researchers have been able to reconstruct Earth’s geological evolution, analyzing the processes that shaped the planet. Walking among these mountains not only offers breathtaking views but also provides a journey deep into Earth’s history, uncovering direct evidence of our planet’s transformations, layered and sculpted in the rock.
HISTORY AND CULTURE
International Park
of Resistance and Peace
The Colle del Lys, marked by dramatic historical events, stands as a living symbol of the partisan struggle in the Lanzo and Susa Valleys. In the main square, a cylindrical monument commemorates the 2,024 partisans who gave their lives for freedom. Since July 2000, the former roadkeeper’s house has hosted the Ecomuseum Center of Colle del Lys, featuring a permanent exhibition that recounts the Resistance through multimedia materials and historical insights.
The Ecomuseum extends beyond its walls: the Partisan Trails invite visitors to walk through historically significant paths, marked and accompanied by informational panels narrating the events of 1943–1945. Among the main routes is the Toglie–Colle del Lys trail, a 2-hour 45-minute journey connecting the Colle to the Toglie area, which served as a liberated zone and a democracy workshop in the summer of 1944. Another highly significant route is the Colle del Lys–Madonna della Bassa loop, a 3-hour hike leading to the scenic sanctuary, a former partisan headquarters.
The park was established to preserve historical memory and foster profound reflections on the connections between past and present, offering an experience that transcends mere remembrance.
For more information: colledellys.altervista.org
Permanent Center
for Civic Values in Bertesseno
In the heart of the Bertesseno hamlet, the Municipality of Viù established the Permanent Center for Civic Values in 2006.
The chosen approach to engage the public is through theater: an accessible language capable of evoking emotions and conveying civic values, transforming them into collective heritage. Every year, the “Fermarsi a Bertesseno” (Stop in Bertesseno) series offers a rich program of workshops, performances, and creative events tied by a common thread exploring civil rights themes. This initiative invites participants to reflect in a unique and meaningful way, making this small village a cultural landmark.
Shroud Trail
The Lanzo Valleys hold a history shrouded in mystery and faith: the possible passage of the Holy Shroud through their mountain passes. Two main theories exist. The first, supported by Giovanni Donna d’Oldenico, suggests that the Shroud crossed the Val d’Ala in 1535, with artistic testimonies such as the frescoes of Ruciass in Balme and those in the Chapel of Saint Sebastian and Saint Fabian in Voragno.
The second hypothesis, proposed by Father Luigi Caccia, places the Shroud’s passage in Val di Viù. It is speculated that in 1578, during the Shroud’s final transfer from Chambéry to Turin, the Autaret pass was chosen for its safety and suitability for horseback travel. Traces of this story emerge in local artifacts: in the Biolaj hamlet, a plaque on the Chapel of the Holy Shroud and Saint Joseph, dated 1731, commemorates the connection between the region and the Shroud with a Latin inscription celebrating devotion and the builder’s gift to the Lord.
These fragments of history, scattered throughout the valleys, offer a unique itinerary where spirituality and memory intertwine in a timeless journey.
