Ceronda Ring, from Balangero railway station

Access

Balangero can be reached by car along the delle Valli di Lanzo from Turin or via the from Lanzo Torinese.

Parking is available near the Balangero railway station and in the concentrico.

Balangero is served by the Turin-Ceres (SFMA) railway line, with regular connections from the Turin Dora station.

Introduction

Loop route of considerable scope that unfolds between the Lower Lanzo Valley and the pre-Alpine ridges, with start and finish at Balangero near the Devil's Bridge and the town centre. The itinerary alternates between a mountain section characterized by panoramic crests and climbs on marked trails reaching the main passes—Monte Corno, Col du Lys, Monte Arpone—and a lower section winding through rural hamlets and stretches along the Stura di Lanzo and the Torrente Ceronda. Along the route are encountered significant naturalistic and historical elements: the Devil's Bridge Park, traditional hamlets of the Ceronda Valley, the Madonna della Bassa Sanctuary, the Passo della Croce (historic Resistance pass), and peridotite outcrops—rare rocks from the Earth's mantle particularly visible in the upper valley. The route is practicable both as a hiking excursion and as a cycle excursion, unfolding mainly on trails and forest tracks; the considerable distance and significant elevation gains require good fitness and attention to steep downhill sections and slippery terrain. The ideal season runs from May to October, with the caveat that in summer months solar exposure can increase physical effort, while in winter stretches above 1,000 metres may require winter equipment. The loop allows a unified reading of the relationship between mountain environment, hilly zone, and Turinese plain.

Description

Trip 1 - Balangero - Ponte del Diavolo - Monte Corno - Vallo Torinese

[0h00'T1] - 0,00km
 Depart from Balangero railway station (about 430m), reach the concentrico and take cycle route no. 402 in the direction of Lanzo Torinese. Ride along the left bank of the Stura di Lanzo on flat municipal and rural roads, alternating between asphalt and dirt roads.

[0h45'T1] - 6.00km
 Reach the centre of Lanzo Torinese and head towards the entrance to the Ponte del Diavolo Park (477m). Go past the green area and take path no. 101C that climbs the northern crest of Monte Corno.

[1h45'T2] - 10.50km
 Go up along a wooded path with regular gradients, pass Grange Blina (832m) and Grange Foieri, then reach Roc del Merlo (1036m). Continue along the ridge between forested sections and panoramic clearings to Monte Corno (1226m). Extensive panorama of the western Alpine arc and the Turin plain; in high visibility conditions, the Lombardy Pre-Alps to the east-northeast are discernible.

[2h45'T2] - 14.50km
 Continue along the ridge to Monte Turu (1355m), recognisable by the presence of a repeater pylon. Begin the descent to Passo della Croce (1254m), a historic pass used during the Resistance for partisan links between the Turin area and the Viù Valley. Presence of a metal cross, votive statue and open shelter.

[3h45'T2] - 18.00km
 Descend along path no. 090 with steep hairpin bends on an earthy and gravelly surface to the Chapel of San Rocco (594m), on the edge of Vallo Torinese. Enter the concentric area.

Critical points:steep downhill stretches; slippery surface in case of rain; exposure to the sun along the crest.

Trip 2 - Vallo Torinese - Valle del Ceronda - Colle del Lys

[4h00'T1] - 18.00km
 Climb up from the Chapel of San Rocco taking path no. 045 halfway up the hillside above Vallo Torinese and Varisella. Walk along panoramic stretches alternating with woodland.

[5h00'T1] - 23.00km
 Cross Borgata Ramai (590m) and ford the Rio Creus (be careful after heavy rain). Carry on towards Borgata Moncolombone (568m), then follow the rural track to Cascina Filiè (636m).

[6h30'T2] - 30.00km
 Go up the wide terminal valley of the Ceronda Valley on a dirt road serving the aqueduct. Observe outcrops of peridotites, a rare example of rocks from the earth's mantle. Reach the Colle (1515m) at Bal Masche, a place-name linked to the legends of the "Masche".

Descend towards Colle Lunella (1372m) and continue to Colle del Lys (1310m), a historic pass between the Viù Valley and the Turin plain.

Critical points:relevant kilometre development; absence of water points in the upper section; possible presence of snow above 1200m in winter.

Tap 3 - Colle del Lys - Monte Arpone - Santuario Madonna della Bassa - Val della Torre

[7h00'T2] - 35.00km
 Climb up to Monte Arpone (1600m) along path no. 570D. Wide panorama of the Graian Alps and the plain.

Descend along the ridge on path no. 011 to the Madonna della Bassa Sanctuary (1157m), then continue on to Borgata Savarino (740m) and Borgata Lucco (620m) in the municipality of Val della Torre.

Step 4 - Val della Torre - Givoletto - La Cassa - Balangero

[8h30'T1] - 42.00km
 Follow trail nos. 001 and 002B towards Bassa delle Sette (1158m), a protected area for the presence of Euphorbia gibelliana. Extensive views towards the Turin plain and the Mandria Park.

Descend towards Monte Baron (817m) and Givoletto, cross Borgata Rivasacco (402m) and the Pralungo area. Follow the dirt track n. 006A as far as Cascina San Giovanni (362m).

[10h00'T1] - 55.00km
 Continue along the Ceronda stream, cross Cafasse and Monasterolo, then follow the track n. 020 skirting the Stura di Lanzo. Return to the Ponte del Diavolo Park and close the loop by returning to Balangero.