ANELLO DEL BRIC ANDIO – BATTAGLIA DEL BARBAROSSA
Start and finish: Parking next to the sports field (Faiteria road)
Length: approximately 5.80 km Elevation: + 94 m Difficulty: easy path, slightly undulating
Starting from the parking area adjacent to the sports field, turn left, then left again onto Faiteria Road after 240 m. Once across the hamlet, the road becomes a dirt track. Follow the signposts marked “Trail 222 towards Pilone San Carlo – Bric Andio.” Ignore the first left deviation (Madonna statue) and, at 0.6 km from the start, turn left following a slightly uphill track. After 520 m, ignore the right deviation, then, after 380 m, reach Pilone San Carlo. Follow the left path that winds around the hill, offering a splendid panoramic view of the Airali hamlet of Chieri, Superga, Pavarolo, and Montaldo T.se. The trail then descends towards Montaldo; turn right (2 km from the start) onto Trail 234, walking among oak trees, cherry trees, walnuts, and grapevines. Turn right (1) after 450 m onto Trail 220 towards Andezeno Cemetery – San Giorgio Church. Ignore the road on the right after 100 m, then ascend right after 310 m, following a small path leading to the centuries-old oak of Bric Andio (3.2 km from the start). Retrace your steps, then turn right after 200 m towards Andezeno. Ignore the right deviation after 460 m, continue straight after 340 m (nice view of Marentino, the right trail leads back to Pilone San Carlo). At 4.65 km from the start, you’ll reach Andezeno Cemetery and the Romanesque Church of San Giorgio. Descend left on the paved road, ignore the right deviation after 250 m (route towards Lago di Arignano and Marentino) and continue straight. After 270 m, at a votive chapel with a beautiful wooden statue of the Virgin Mary, turn right towards Faiteria Road. After 330 m, turn towards the starting point, reached after another 300 m (5.80 km from the start).
1. From here, you can reach Montaldo T.se and the Don Bosco Trail by walking straight for 860 m to Montaldo Cemetery, ignoring all deviations to the right. From the cemetery, continue straight for another 650 m, first reaching the Chapel of San Rocco, then Piazza Fornace, and finally the road from Montaldo to Marentino (on the Don Bosco Trail to the right).
The centuries-old oak planted at the beginning of the 1800s marks the border between the territories of Montaldo Torinese and Andezeno, on the summit of Bric Andio. According to oral tradition, a bloody battle took place here when, in 1158, Emperor Frederick Barbarossa crossed this hill to conquer the Chieri territory.
ANELLO DI VILLA SIMEOM
Start and finish: Parking at Piazza Italia
Length: approximately 2.50 km Elevation: + 40 m Difficulty: hiking path, easy route with a slight ascent
Water: SMAT water house on Via Cesole
Starting from the Piazza Italia parking lot, turn left onto Via Cesole at the SMAT water house. Continue on Via Cesole for 650 m, then turn left onto an unpaved road just after a row of oak trees. After 170 m, continue left, slightly uphill, then after another 210 m, go straight, ignoring the left deviation. After 170 m, cross a beautiful clearing, then after another 230 m, reach the back gate of Villa Simeom. Continue along the estate fence for 330 m (notable specimens of hornbeams), then descend onto SP119 at Pilone San Pancrazio. Continue left, being mindful of traffic, to return shortly to the parking lot at Piazza Italia.
HISTORIC CENTER WALK
Start and finish: Parking at Piazza Italia
Length: approximately 1.80 km Elevation: + 45 m Difficulty: hiking path, easy route with a slight ascent
There are few remnants of the original medieval urban fabric, which today forms the historic center atop the hill with walls dating back to the 18th century. Notable is Villa San Carlo, the Villa family’s residence rebuilt in the 18th century.
Starting from the Piazza Italia parking, cross Corso Vittorio Emanuele II onto Via Roma, ascending for 450 m until intersecting with Via Cavour. Turn left, then continue on Via Balbiano, finally reaching the parish Church of San Giorgio Martire (a scenic point). Descend further on Via Cavour until reaching Via Coppi and then Via Piovano, leading back to Corso Vittorio Emanuele II.
