Caraglio – Borgo San Dalmazzo: the Grana Valley and Colle Fauniera, Marco Pantani’s mountain pass
3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS
Piazza Giolitti 5, Caraglio 12023
Description
CARAGLIO - BORGO SAN DALMAZZO - CARAGLIO
3 days full of emotion…
where Colle Fauniera will be the star: a long and demanding Alpine climb and the descent considered one of the most technical of the Alps…
That is not all... you will taste the flavourful Castelmagno, king of the Grana Valley,
taking a dive into local history and traditions.
Schedule
Day 1
Arrive early afternoon to Caraglio and check-in to 3* hotel.
In the afternoon, walk in Caraglio with the possibility of a short walk to the Castle Sanctuary followed by a visit to the famous Rosso Silk Mill* of Caraglio.
*The Silk Mill was built in just two years (1676-1678) for productive and residential use. The silk mill, understood as spinning mill and spinning wheel, is the oldest factory in Europe still in existence and one of the oldest factories in the world.
The Twisting Room of the Piedmontese Silk Factory Museum hosts the reconstruction of the imposing water-powered twisting machines for silk based on the model of Bologna which are operated during the visit.
Return to hotel and dinner with local products in the hotel restaurant (3 courses - beverages excluded).
Day 2
Following a substantial breakfast in the hotel, very early morning departure for the climb to Colle Fauniera.
Colle Fauniera
Valle Grana is a closed valley between Valle Stura of Demonte and Valle Maira and you enter it just outside the town of Caraglio. The first few kilometres have a slight gradient and travel a large plateau crossing the villages of ValGrana, Monterosso Grana and Pradleves. Leaving Pradleves, the valley closes into a narrow gorge and the road, still wide, presents the first long sections
with gradients higher than 10%.
Past the small centre of CampoMolino, for 6 km to the Sanctuary of Castelmagno, the slope becomes decidedly bad: it no longer falls below 10% and before the hamlet of Chiotti, right next to the Chapel of St. Bernard of Menthon you will touch the gradient of 18%, as in the last km before the sanctuary itself.
Leaving Chiotti, the road abandons the narrow gorge of the valley, opening onto a vast and grassy Alpine valley, where at the centre of a breathtaking landscape stands the Sanctuary of Saint Magnus dating from the 15th century. The last remaining 9km take from the altitude of 1,761 m to the 2,483 m of Colle Fauniera: now the road will climb with a regular gradient of around 10%, but the effort of the preceding ramps will surely make itself felt.
The arrival to the monument in honour of Marco Pantani will warm your heart and confirm that you have reached the destination.
Lunch at a Refuge on the way down.
End of trip and return to hotel in the afternoon.
Dinner with local dishes in restaurant of the town centre (1 appetizer, 1 first course, 1 second course, 1 dessert - beverages excluded).
LENGTH 92 km
DIFFERENCE IN ALTITUDE 2,168 m
MIN ALTITUDE 562 m
MAX ALTITUDE 2,485 m
BIKES ROAD GRAVEL
Day 3
Today the day will be dedicated to discovering the magnificent Valle Grana, a small valley which winds gently between Valli Stura and Maira, treasure chest of unique beauty!
After breakfast, move by own means towards Castelmagno for an independent visit of the famous Sanctuary of Saint Magnus.
On a solitary mountain slope of the Upper Valle Grana, shortly after the villages Chiotti and Chiappi, stands the imposing white Sanctuary of Saint Magnus. A building of undoubtedly attractive historic-architectural importance, the sanctuary (1760 metres above sea level), was built in the early 18th century but with works of preceding eras. It is home to 15th and 16th century frescoes. Destination of religious tourism, it recalls thousands of people each year.
After the visit, the moment has arrived to discover the secrets of the King of the Valley - the famous Castelmagno cheese.
Authentic symbol and driving force of the economy and tourism of this area of the Alps, it is the famous, homonymous cow milk cheese Castelmagno (there may also be sheep milk and/or goat milk in a percentage that varies from 5 to 20%); since 1982, it has received national D.O.C. recognition and, since 1996, European D.O.P.
recognition. It is the main ingredient for the "gnocchi with Castelmagno".
Along the road, stop for a guided tour of the dairy to observe the production of the renowned cheese and its ageing ... not just look, but also taste... a delicious cheese tasting session awaits.
In the afternoon return to own destinations.
Rates / Supplements
Price per person from:
€ 240,00 (groups of 2 pax)
The price includes:
• 2 overnight stays in 3* hotel in Caraglio - rate per person, based on a twin room, as indicated by the programme
• 1 typical dinner in hotel restaurant (first evening) (3 courses - beverages excluded)
• 1 entrance ticket to Silk Mill of Caraglio
• 1 lunch in Refuge (day 2 - beverages excluded)
• 1 dinner of local dishes in restaurant (second evening) (1 appetizer, 1 first course, 1 second course, 1 dessert - beverages excluded)
• 1 guided tour and tasting of Castelmagno cheese in Dairy
The price does not include:
• Tips and extras in general
• Beverages at meals
• Transfers during the different days
• Extra charge for single room on request
Supplements:
• Possibility of cycle-tour guide for day (day 2 -Colle Fauniera)
• Half-day guided tour of Valle Grana (day 3)
Other
Holiday formula:
Individuals
Guided tour:
No, on request (with supplement)
Attachments
Info
commerciale@viaeperviaggiare.it
www.viaeperviaggiare.it
B2B RATES: AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
Technical organisation and Third-party Liability insurance:
Monferrato Travel by Monferrato to Taste (VAT N°. 03936680044)
Dafne Viaggi (VAT N°. 03463700108)
IC World (VAT N°. 09178850013)
Global Tourist srl (VAT N°. 1363300052)
* Estimates and availability will be verified and confirmed at the moment of the request.