Monviso Park: following the course of the Po River in the Cuneo area

The journey begins in the mountain village of Crissolo, at Pian del Re. On board the shuttle bus that serves the area, go to the source of the Po, climbing up Monviso, which is majestically imposing from its 3841 metres height. After a regenerating stop at the historic Quintino Sella refuge, with its characteristic red windows, take a level dirt road until you find the source of the Grande Fiume among the rocks. It will not be difficult to find: you will see the words 'Here the Po rises' engraved on a sign.

The scenic Tour of the Lakes starts from this point: from Fiorenza to Nona, passing through Superiore, Lausetto and Chiaretto. At the end of the walk in the heart of verdant nature, return to Crissolo and enjoy a dinner of local Cuneo specialities in one of the many inns in the area. Choose from polenta concia with butter and cheese, Po trout, porcini mushroom dishes, chestnut desserts and paste di meliga, biscuits made from maize flour.

You start off with a walk through the village of Crissolo, crossed by the Po River, which always accompanies you. We recommend a visit to the Sanctuary of San Chiaffredo, one of the most important places of worship in the area, located on a small rise just outside the town. Don't miss out on an excursion to the magnificent Rio Martino cave, taking advantage of a guided tour and looking out carefully for the bats.

Following the course of the river Po, you reach Paesana and travel along a very picturesque stretch between the villages of Bollano, Robella and Sanfront, until you turn towards the slopes of Mount Bracco, to discover a marvellous site: Balma Boves. Inhabited until the 1950s and then abandoned, the stone village rises 650 metres above sea level in the shelter of a kind of large natural cave. Today, the area has been transformed into an eco-museum: the oven, stables, fountains, and chestnut dryers testify to the inhabitants’ ability to cope with the difficulties of a harsh mountain and to manage living in harmony with it.

The course of the Po slows down, becomes a great lowland river and leads you past mills, canals and locks to the birthplace of Silvio Pellico: Saluzzo, ancient capital of the Marquisate. Visit the religious heart of the city, the Gothic-Piedmontese cathedral, and from here stretch to the Castle, past elegant palaces, churches and museums, narrow alleys and porti scur, the low market porticoes.

Another taste of local delicacies with traditional appetisers, Piedmontese beef, alpine cheeses, ravioles from the Varaita valley, tajarin and, of course, a glass of Pelaverga or another DOC wine from the Saluzzo hills.

We conclude our journey in Monviso Park in the Casalgrasso area where the Great River joins the Varaita, the second largest tributary after the Pellice. In its waters, wide and navigable, the now distant Monviso is reflected. The landscape, which was wooded years ago, is now populated by orchards, poplar groves, meadows and cultivated fields, and has become a Special Nature Reserve. Be captivated by the colours of unspoilt nature and stock up on the natural wonders that surround you, before returning to your daily routine.