ANELLO DI RIVODORA (Lime Path)
Start and finish: Parking adjacent to Villaggio Paluch
Length: approximately 8 km Elevation: +46 m Difficulty: hiking trail, difficult downhill path with exposed sections on steep slopes
Water: 3 Fontanelle at rest areas on the pedestrian stretch of SP4 towards Superga
Starting from the parking area adjacent to Villaggio Paluch, turn left onto SP4 towards Superga, continuing on the pedestrian stretch for 1.5 km until intersecting with the asphalt road on the right that descends to Agriturismo Ai Guiet. After 100 m, turn right onto trail 59 into the woods. After 130 m, traverse a rough section below the farm and continue through the oak, maple, chestnut, and wild cherry woods for another 270 m before turning right. Continue for about 1 km on the trail, traversing across and passing various eroded furrows from streams flowing into Rio Tabuss – being cautious due to the narrow and often slippery trail – until reaching the Rosemary Path. Turn left here, descending towards Bric Castlètt. After about 270 m past the remains of the rails (near the Castlètt ruins), pass another hazardous section (continue straight uphill), then, after another 540 m, descend towards Rivodora. At 4 km from the start, reach the asphalt road from Tetti Ronchi to the Rivodora hamlet (turn left to reach the settlement, water point near the church). Cross the road and take trail 54 (known as la “saponetta“, very slippery after precipitation), ascending along Rio Dora in the Rivodora Valley. Ignore the track on the right after 1.5 km, continue on the main track for another 180 m, then turn slightly uphill to the right after 130 m. Cross the asphalt road after 50 m and take trail 54 climbing towards Tetti Bertone. Turn right after 200 m, then right again after another 400 m. Finally, upon reaching Strada della Croce (Don Bosco Trail), turn right. After 550 m, turn left onto Bellavista Street, then right after 360 m. Proceed for about 500 m on SP4, being cautious of traffic, until returning to the starting point.
n the Bric Castlètt area, on the Superga hill, traces of extractive activity are found in the white stone quarries, where quicklime was produced for the construction of the Basilica of Superga, the Church of Santa Maria della Spina in Baldissero T.se, and numerous buildings in 18th-century Turin. Rainwater was channeled and directed into the “guie,” dams constructed with stones having an opening at the center, used to bring up the white stones by water flow. The stones were then collected and baked in an oven for 2 days until they reached a golden color. Subsequently, they were melted to obtain quicklime.
ANELLO DEL TOETTO
Start and finish: Parking at Baldissero T.se Sports Field – via Cordova, 9 (283 m above sea level)
Length: approximately 8.50 km Elevation: +130 m Difficulty: hiking trail, slightly undulating and easy
Water: Fountain in the San Giuliano Garden
Starting from the Sports Field parking lot, turn left onto SP117 towards Cordova, passing by the San Giuliano Garden (water point) and ascend using the sidewalk until after 850 m, turning right onto Toetto Road near the Madonna della Delibera Chapel. Continue on the dirt road for 780 m, ignore the right road, descend for another 600 m to rejoin the asphalt road, and intersect after 2.5 km with SP4 towards Pavarolo near the Toetto Chapel. Turn left and, watching for traffic, walk for 120 m before veering right towards Tetti Valentino (trail 53). After 80 m, turn left onto Valentino Street, then after 300 m, ignore the left road, continuing on the asphalt (with a beautiful view of Airali hamlet of Chieri to the left), then proceeding after 450 m on an unpaved road towards Airali (panoramic view). Pass Tetti Quaglino (with a view of Bric Andio, the Barbarossa oak to the left) and after 650 m, continue straight on the Valentino Road, ignoring the right deviation, descending into the valley floor. After another 600 m, turn left and again left after 160 m to walk in the valley. Ignore the first left deviation after 900 m and the subsequent right deviation towards Airali hamlet after another 120 m. After another 200 m, turn onto asphalt, then immediately right near the Chapel of S. Rita. Ascend among vineyards, meadows, and woods (with a beautiful view of Pavarolo, Montaldo T.se, and Marentino to the right), skipping the right deviation after 650 m. Return right onto asphalt, descending on Valentino Road after 150 m (trail 53). After 350 m, turn right at the stop sign, then immediately left onto SP4 towards Baldissero, then right after 720 m onto SP117 towards Cordova and reach the starting point after another 300 m.
