Susa
Welcome to Val di Susa
Hi friends, today I'll be talking about Val di Susa, a valley located in western Piedmont, bordering France to the west. The valley is completely within the Po Basin, but some of its higher lateral valleys are politically part of the French Republic following the Treaty of Paris between Italy and the Allied powers. The valley is the largest and most populous in Piedmont and takes its name from the ancient city of Susa, although its largest center today is Avigliana.
Physical geography
Val di Susa is long and has a population of over 90,000. The valley is crossed by the Dora Riparia river and is touched by both the Cottian Alps and the Graian Alps. The torrents of Dora di Bardonecchia and Cenischia form two important valleys that branch off from the main one. The highest mountain in the Italian part of the valley is Rocciamelone, which is 3,538 meters high.
Orography
When going up the valley on the right, we find the following main mountains in order: belonging to the Graian Alps, like Monte Musinè, Rocca Sella, Monte Civrari, Rocca Patanua, Punta Lunella, Grand'Uja, Monte Palon, Rocciamelone, Punta Lamet, and Punta Roncia. Belonging to the Cottian Alps, like Rocca d'Ambin, Punta Ferrand, Monte Niblè, Monte Seguret, Monte Jafferau, Punta Sommeiller, Rognosa d'Etiache, Pierre Menue, Punta Nera, Monte Fréjus, Rocca Bernauda, Monte Thabor, Grand'Hoche, Monte Cotolivier and Monte Chaberton.
Places of interest
Val di Susa is an area of great interest for nature and history. Here you can find a multitude of hiking trails suitable for all levels of difficulty to reach the most beautiful views. For example, for trekking enthusiasts, climbing Rocciamelone is a great challenge, but the view from the top is priceless. In addition, the Cottian Alps offer picturesque landscapes and ridge walks that allow you to reach huts and shelters where you can taste typical local dishes.
For history lovers, Val di Susa offers a wide variety of sites of historical and archaeological interest. Near the town of Bardonecchia, you can visit the Fenestrelle Fortress, one of the largest fortifications in Europe. Furthermore, in the vicinity, you can find important Neolithic sites such as the Necropolis of Rocheplatiere and the Dolmen of Chianocco.
Events and gastronomy
Val di Susa offers a great gastronomic variety and events throughout the year. In Avigliana, there is the "Festa delle Sfogline" where you can taste the typical handmade fresh pasta. In addition, there are several village fairs where you can taste local delicacies such as Fontina and Bossola, typical cheeses of the area.
How to get to Val di Susa
Val di Susa can be easily reached by car or train. The main station is Torino Porta Nuova station. From there, you can take a train to Susa and then use the Val di Susa railway which connects Susa with Bardonecchia. By car, the valley is reachable via the A32 motorway that connects Turin with Bardonecchia.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Val di Susa is an ideal destination if you want to spend a day or a weekend immersed in nature and discover the history and gastronomy of the region. Thanks to the great variety of hiking trails, places of interest, and cultural and gastronomic events, the valley offers something for everyone. Come and visit us!
