From castle to castle, to Lake Arignano.
Technical Notes
Departure: Basilica di Superga (669 m)
Arrival: Arignano, frazione Tetti Chiaffredo (345 m)
Length: 20,2 km
Elevation gain: 317 m
Difficulty: hiking, undulating path
Refreshment: possibilità di ristoro a Baldissero, Pavarolo e Marentino
Water: fountain in Superga and before Bric Paluc, then in Baldissero (Giardino San Giuliano), Pavarolo (Casetta H2O in via Maestra, fountain in piazza San Defendente), Montaldo (Casetta H2O in piazza Superga, fountain in piazza Fornace), and Marentino (Casetta H2O in piazza Giardino and fountain in piazza at Avuglione)
Description
Follow the description from Stage 2 of the High Path to reach the junction below Bric Croce (point D). Turn right here and descend on Trail no. 51, crossing a wooded area rich in oak and oak trees, on a path that is challenging in some sections and becomes particularly slippery in case of precipitation. After about 300 m, the path continues on a more comfortable cart track, through cultivated areas, orchards, and vineyards. Ignoring all deviations, continue descending until crossing a small ford near some farmhouses. Continue on the cart track, now flat, walking along a stream, next to a beautiful slope on the left where the beautiful Church of San Giuliano stands out. Continue to the entrance road of the sports facilities of Baldissero Torinese, then turn left reaching the parking area; from here, turn right onto the asphalt road which, after 300 m, passing by a public garden with a fountain, intersects SP4 towards Pavarolo (about 1.8 km from point D). Turn left (going right leads to the center of Baldissero) and continue for 1.3 km towards Pavarolo on the asphalt road: pass the Chapel of Toetto and ignore all deviations, finally turning left onto a small road below the inhabited area of Pavarolo that goes towards a votive pillar. Here, turn right to go up to the village, emerging onto a beautiful pedestrian path that leads to the center after 600 m of walking. Once in front of the Tower, continue on the right, turn left at the first intersection, then (after 300 m from the Tower) descend to the right along via Generale Zavattaro. Once you reach SP122, turn left, paying maximum attention to traffic, then cross it after about 50 m near an artisan area and continue on the road (via Bardassano) that crosses it. Follow it for about 150 m, then turn left near the last shed, in a very degraded context. Leaving the structure on the left, continue for about 700 m on a dirt road that, describing a semicircle, gradually climbs to Montaldo Torinese. Once on the asphalt, turn right towards Piazza Superga, continue straight for about 300 m, then take the road to Marentino on the left. Continue straight for 2.4 km, ignoring all deviations on this very scenic route that, leaving the sports field on the right, climbs to Marentino via Strada del Pozzetto, emerging in the village near Casa Zuccala. Here, turn left and continue straight for 400 m, passing the Experimental Apiary, then turn right towards Avuglione just after the Church of Santa Maria dei Morti. Cross the hamlet (small square with the last fountain before arriving at Castelnuovo Don Bosco) and then descend towards Lake Arignano along Via Maddalena, passing near the cemetery of Avuglione (Church of Santa Maria Maddalena, of Romanesque origin). Once you reach Via Cascina Gambiana, continue descending on this road, ignoring some deviations, until you reach a junction. Take the dirt road to the right (left goes to the farmhouse) slightly downhill and then turn right again before Rio del Lago; continue on the flat dirt road adjacent to the mostly cultivated lake basin until you reach the dam (approximately 3.5 km from Avuglione). Turn left to reach the Arignano side of the lake, where you turn left again to pass the Cascina Calcinera and then climb to the right. Ignore a subsequent deviation to the right, to continue climbing, first among woods and then among orderly vineyards and meadows with a beautiful panoramic view of a splendid little valley, towards Cascina Rivolasso, crossing, after 2 km from the lake dam, the SP Moncucco-Arignano at point V2 (where the V1-V2 connection with Stage 2 of the High Path begins).. By turning right, you enter the hamlet of Tetti Chiaffredo di Arignano.
In the Footsteps of Don Bosco
Don Bosco a Montaldo T.se
Don Bosco, still a young cleric, was in Montaldo Torinese at the College of the Jesuits (then located in the castle) during the holidays of 1836, serving for three months as a dormitory assistant and Greek teacher on the recommendation of Don Cafasso. Here, he had the opportunity to get to know several young people from distinguished and noble families, convincing himself, however, that he was not called to deal with individuals of such origins, although from 1872 – under strong pressure from the then Archbishop Monsignor Lorenzo Gastaldi – he had to accept the College of Valsalice.
Map
