Close your eyes and imagine a holiday where every day is an adventure in nature. Open your eyes again and head for the parks, mountains and mines of Torino and its province. Here, the summer months are transformed into a unique, cool opportunity for little explorers.
Backpack ready, off we go!
Explorations at high altitude
Thanks to the summer lifts, the peaks of the Torino Alps can be reached comfortably even with the little ones. Up there, in contact with the clouds, a different landscape awaits you to explore on leisurely walks along panoramic paths, observing alpine flora and fauna, picnicking in the woods, treating yourself to gourmet breaks in mountain huts and, for the older children, experiencing breathtaking descents on mountain bikes. In many locations, families will find beautiful play areas and easy trails at altitude - for example in Sestriere, Bardonecchia and Sauze d'Oulx.
Finally, for those who love walking and are looking for a hike within everyone's reach but in a quieter location, Prali and its plateau with its thirteen lakes are the right destination.
Mines: an educational and engaging adventure
The Mines and Germanasca Valley Ecomuseum, located about 70 km north-west of Turin, is an opportunity to experience unforgettable moments of discovery. This extraordinary site is home to two mines, Paola and Gianna, which offer very special visitor routes: Scopriminiera and Scoprialpi.
In addition to the mines, the Ecomuseum explores the cultural and territorial context of the Germanasca Valley, touching on aspects such as the landscape, the Waldensian religion, the Occitan language and the local economy, and offering a complete overview of community life and the valley's resources.
In the kingdom of the ibex: Gran Paradiso
Not everyone knows that the Gran Paradiso is the first national park established in Italy, in 1922, as a Savoy royal reserve to protect the ibex. It is a marvellous park that stretches from 800 metres at the bottom of the valley to the 4,061 metres of the Gran Paradiso peak, which hides enchanting panoramas and wonderful nature to be discovered by following the numerous paths - varied and suitable for all abilities - through woods and mountain lakes, leading to refuges that are true oases of relaxation.
Discovering the city parks: La Mandria
A few kilometres from Turin, very close to the superb Reggia di Venaria, the La Mandria park, a Unesco heritage site, is beautiful to explore in all seasons and in various ways: on foot, by bicycle or even on horseback. Inside, visitors will find numerous picnic areas, children's playgrounds and gymnastic routes, but they will also come across architectural gems such as the Mandria Castle, a Hunting and Lovers' Residence, one of King Victor Emmanuel II's favourite places, where they can visit the Royal Apartments, perfectly preserved and characterised by an intimate and familiar setting.
The green hills of Turin
Paths through greenery, a historic tram, a majestic basilica: there is no shortage of attractions in the Superga Hill Nature Park.
The funniest way to get to the Basilica di Superga, Filippo Juvarra's monumental masterpiece, is the historic Dentiera that leaves from Sassi Station: the route, on a nice incline, takes about 15 minutes and offers very suggestive views. Once at the destination, the view of the city is truly priceless. Lovers of Italian history can visit the Royal Tombs of the House of Savoy in the basement of the Basilica, while football fans cannot miss a stop in front of the plaque commemorating the Grande Torino. There are 131 steps on the spiral staircase leading up to the balcony of the basilica's Baroque dome: an effort immediately repaid by the panorama that stands out before us, with the city framed by the Alps. To return to the starting point, you can take the Sentiero dei Faggi: a pleasant walk through the woods that takes about half an hour and leads back to Sassi Station.
Continue to discover Turin and its province on a child-friendly scale with the advice of Giovani Genitori, discover all the other itineraries in the dedicated section and follow on social @turismotorino and @giovanigenitori.