The sky above us, fun all around: running on a meadow, climbing a hill, walking through quiet streets, looking for hidden treasures. Anyone who goes around with girls and boys knows that it is an excellent idea to alternate purely urban tours with trips out of town. The territory of Torino and its province has fabulous destinations and proposals, including art villages, lakes and parks, forts and castles, routes to explore on foot or by bicycle.
The question at this point is only one: where to start?
Villages to discover
Small cities of art nestled on rolling hills, historic villages with the Alps in the background: the province of Torino is full of fascinating places to discover together at a slow pace, and where you can also treat yourself to unique food and wine experiences!
One of the destinations not to be missed is certainly Usseaux, which is part of the "The most beautiful villages in Italy" circuit.
Avigliana, the city of two lakes, is also perfect for a family-friendly visit. Located in a natural morainic amphitheatre, it hosts medieval and Renaissance buildings, such as the Circular Tower and the Clock Tower, Villa Cantamerlo, the remains of the Castle located on Mount Pezzulano.
Monte Pirchiriano dominates the town, on which the Sacra di San Michele stands majestically and unmistakably. And, at the end of the visit, we head towards one of the two lakes for a boat ride, a few ball throws, a relaxing break near the water.
Forts and castles
The Castello di Govone, famous for its eighteenth-century garden with its roses, the Castello di Aglié with its splendid rooms and the ballroom frescoed, the Masino Castle, a FAI heritage site or, again, the Castello di Racconigi with its romantic park - a visit that ideally combines with that of the nearby, and much loved, Centro Cicogne e Anatidi!
Famous in particular for their blooms but beautiful in every season are the Castello di Pralormo whose park in spring is tinged with the colors of thousands of tulips and the Castello di Miradolo, with its ancient camellium and the engaging proposal for the little ones " From one meter down”, to learn, with the tools of the game, to observe works of art and the reality that surrounds us.
The Forte di Exilles in Val Susa boasts among its most famous prisoners the legendary Iron Mask while the Forte di Fenestrelle in Val Chisone is the largest masonry construction in the world after the Great Wall of China. It offers various types of visits with particular attention to families
On foot or by bicycle?
Hills, plains, mountains: hiking lovers will find themselves spoiled for choice in the nature around Torino. A network of paths and itineraries for all ages and abilities to travel on foot or by bicycle. To stay close to the city but breathe in the nature that blooms again, the hills that are reflected in the Po river are full of paths suitable for adults and children and cross places of great beauty such as the Basilica of Superga or the Castello di Moncalieri.
At the end of spring, a walk among the cherry trees in bloom on the Pecetto hill is also unmissable. Moving away a little from Torino, however, there are four itineraries of the Via Francigena which cross wonderful and ancient places such as the Sacra di San Michele, the Abbeys of Novalesa and Sant'Antonio di Ranverso, the Certosa di Montebenedetto, the Pieve di San Lorenzo and the Baptistery of San Giovanni in Settimo Vittone, the Bell Tower of San Martino in Bollengo.
The ancient paths of faith are a great place to enjoy delicious tastings for everyone.
But the possibilities of oxygenating walks in nature are really many, you can find attractive ideas here.
Admiring the view from an XXL bench
Climb up a giant bench and then sit down and relax while admiring the view: the hunt for Big Benches is an original and very fun mode of tourism for families!
A project of American designer Chris Bangle, who conceived them based on the fairy-tale idea of going small again and rediscovering the landscape with children's eyes. The large benches are colorful, over two meters high and strategically placed in places with breathtaking views.
We can find them, for example, on the Rocca di Cavour, on the morainic hill of Giaglione with a view of all the mountains of the Valsusa alpine arc, above the Levone vineyards near the "Paths among the Vineyards" hiking trail.
In shades of green and blue, inspired by their lake setting, are the benches of the Viverone lakes with a marvellous view of the lake, and that of Montalto Dora on Lake Pistono, which can be reached via an evocative woodland path. The Pinasca bench is reached by a peaceful walk through a beech forest and offers a priceless view of the lower Val Chisone and the Pinerolo plain.
Not only in the hills, but also at altitude: the maxi orange bench of Piamprato is a short walk from the Rifugio Rosa dei Banchi - La Ciavanassa, at an altitude of 1700 metres. Completely immersed in the nature of the Gran Paradiso Park, it can be reached on foot but also, very comfortably, by chairlift from Prariond, a hamlet of Piamprato, to Alpe Ciavanassa.
The possibilities for discovery, exploration and fun in Torino and its province do not end. You can find more by browsing here.