Holiday apartment in Castagneto Po: Discover nature and culture

Holiday apartment in Castagneto Po for trails in the Bosco del Vaj

The Riserva naturale speciale del Bosco del Vaj nature reserve covers 71.50 hectares. It is characterised by rare beech forests in the Collina Torinese at an altitude of less than 600 metres. The Bosco del Vaj is one of the few areas of the Collina Torinese where tall beech trees still grow; some reach around 20 metres in height and more than 50 centimetres in diameter.

Access to the nature reserve is free, but remains restricted to the designated roads and paths. Benches, drinking fountains, waste bins, picnic and play areas, signposts, and maps are available on site. You can reach the beech tree in the Bosco del Vaj from the lower entrance to the reserve via a walk of approximately 800 metres.

Hikes between the town centre and Bric del Vaj

The yellow trail in the Bosco del Vaj is called “Il tempo e la natura” and is 1.7 kilometres long. The Da Galleani alla Riserva del Bosco del Vaj hiking trail runs entirely within the municipality of Castagneto Po and reaches Bric del Vaj at an altitude of 585 metres. The Cammino Romanico Castagneto Po–Riserva Bosco del Vaj circular route takes about 120 minutes and reaches the entrance to the Bosco del Vaj reserve after approximately one kilometre.

The “Il Bosco del Vaj – tra matematica e natura” programme is a full-day circular hike starting and ending in the town centre of Castagneto Po, following an educational trail to Bric del Vaj. The activity is also suitable for family groups. The 15-kilometre Percorso S is exclusively hilly and passes through Castagneto Po and San Sebastiano Da Po, providing access to their settlements and extensive forests.

Churches and historic traces

The Romanesque and neo-Romanesque church of San Genesio was founded and built by Fruttuaria Abbey between 1019 and 1150. The original 11th- to 12th-century building of the church of San Genesio retains the central apse, a small northern apse with a crypt, and the imposing square masonry bell tower. San Genesio can be reached on foot from Chivasso in approximately 40 minutes.

The parish church of San Pietro Apostolo was built around the middle of the 19th century in the Neoclassical style. Its features include a painted vault, a large altarpiece, and a 19th-century organ. The Regio Fonte spring is located near San Genesio. Its water contains salt, bromine, and sulphur, and it is temporarily closed.

Villa Ceriana Castle and cultural details

The castle of Castagneto Po is also known as Villa Ceriana and has been documented since 1019. Villa Ceriana has a 16th-century-style gallery decorated with carved marble and finely worked stone. Francesco Gonin and Costantino Sereno also designed some of the rooms.

Further places to choose from

Fiano, Villar Perosa, Settimo Torinese, Torrazza Piemonte, Chiomonte, Dubbione Di Pinasca, Cebrosa and Torre

Turin