The best walks and hikes around Venaus

After the Sacra di S. Michele, the abbey of Novalesa is the most important ancient center of Christianity in the Susa Valley. Dedicated to Saints Peter and Andrew, it dates back to the year 726 and was founded as a monastery of monks who followed a "mixed rule", partly Benedictines, partly followers of the doctrine of St. Columbanus. The abbey then passed to the Benedictine monks who held it until 1646, when the Cistercian monks took over, remaining here until 1798. Subsequently, it was controlled by French monks, during the Napoleonic era, until, returning to the hands of the Piedmontese government, it was transformed into a hotel. Only in 1972, therefore in recent times, did the abbey return once again under the control of the Benedictine monks, who still guard it today. It is located in a splendid position, elevated with respect to the nearby Novalesa, amidst meadows in front of the Rocciamelone, another center of spirituality, as on its summit is built the small sanctuary of the Madonna del Rocciamelone. To visit the abbey, it is advisable to book at the following e-mail address: by writing to visite@abbazianovalesa.org.

Rock outcrop with panoramic views of the entire Clarea, Niblè and Ambin valleys, up to Col Clapier

The Marzo granges, now in ruins, mark the end (or beginning, depending on the direction of travel) of the remarkable former military trail that connected the granges to Bar Cenisio. This trail, with its very regular layout, is one of the many testaments to the construction skills of the military "engineers" in the years between the two world wars and, despite the lack of maintenance, remains passable (even fun downhill on a mountain bike, S1-S2 with a couple of trickier sections). Following the trail uphill, just before reaching the granges, you'll notice the signpost, which seems to appear out of nowhere... shortly after, you'll come across a spectacular balcony, which offers a glimpse of the Mont Cenis and the entire ridge that leads from Lamet to Rocciamelone. To the right, you'll see the lower Susa Valley. It's an ideal place for a break, if it's not too windy; the only drawback is that there's no water. Following the signs for the Avanzà refuge and allowing about twenty minutes, you'll reach the center of a beautiful valley crossed by a stream. The descent to Pra Piano is steep but not difficult. Be careful only in case of thunderstorms, as this section is exposed to lightning!

The Abbey of Saints Peter and Andrew, also known as the Abbey of (or of) Novalesa, is an ancient Benedictine abbey founded in the 8th century and located in the municipality of Novalesa, in the Susa Valley. Since 1972 the abbey complex has been publicly owned, having been purchased in a dilapidated state by the Province of Turin, now the Metropolitan City of Turin, which entrusted it back to the Benedictine monks. The agreement with the Sublacense Benedictine Congregation has made it possible to enhance the historical and artistic importance of the monument and to spread knowledge of the ancient spiritual, cultural and social tradition of the Benedictine abbey.[1] One of the chapels of the complex houses two important cycles of frescoes from the 11th century, one dedicated to the titular Saint Eldrado and the other, among the first known in the West, to Saint Nicholas of Bari.

Go to the 2nd floor of the waterfall (sign), it’s worth the detour

BENEDICTINE ABBEY OF SS. PIETRO AND ANDREA IN NOVALESA. Founded in 726 and located in Val Cenischia (Susa), the Abbey belongs to the Metropolitan City of Turin, which takes care of it, and since 1973 it has been entrusted to the custody of the Benedictine monks of the Sublacense Cassinese Congregation of the Order of Saint Benedict.

Easy to reach, a spectacle of nature not to be missed

for Novalesa, at a certain point there is a stone fountain and take the road to the right, from there shortly after we find a climb to the left and we arrive at the waterfalls