Holiday apartment in Monti: discover mountain trails, chapels and nature

Monti combines mountain trails, nature observation and culture in a single stay. The area can be explored from several perspectives: a marked trail leads uphill, shady forests define an easy walk, and a chapel, monument and traces of mining provide historical points of reference. The marked Sentiero delle Carbonaie and the easy Sentiero dei Laghetti are two different routes through mountain and woodland landscapes in Monti.

Hiking on Different Trails

The Sentiero delle Carbonaie leads from Monti at 1,200 metres to Col Cialmetta at 1,303 metres. The trail has an elevation gain of around 120 metres, takes approximately one hour, is rated difficulty level E and bears trail marker 204A. It therefore offers a clearly defined route for an active day, without needing to equate it with other experiences.

The Sentiero dei Laghetti has a different character: it is an easy walking path through cool, shady beech and larch woods. At suitable times, mushrooms are abundant there. The trail begins below the chapel of Monti, beside an impressive monument commemorating resistance activities in the surrounding area. Here, nature and a specific historical connection are experienced directly along the trail.

Nature Between Mountain Meadows and Rocks

The Big Bench del Pian is located in mountain meadows covered with rhododendrons typical of this mountain region. It is easily reached via a 15–20-minute walk, giving it a different time profile from the approximately one-hour Sentiero delle Carbonaie.

On the slopes of Uja di Calcante lies one of the very few known occurrences of Euphorbia gibelliana, an endemic plant found exclusively in the Graian Alps. The ridge between Uja di Calcante and nearby Punta Lunelle at 1,384 metres is also a historic climbing area for mountaineers from Turin. The mountain landscape therefore has both botanical and mountaineering features.

Chapel and Mining History

At the entrance to the Monti hamlet stands the Chiesa della Beata Vergine Assunta in a commanding position. It can be reached via a staircase branching off from the road and is considered a typical example of the shepherds’ chapels built in the Valli di Lanzo between 1600 and 1700. On the slopes of Uja di Calcante, several shafts and a former mule supply track also bear witness to earlier mining activities, which were discontinued towards the end of the 19th century.

Cycling also has its own connection with Monti: Monti–Rangirot is one of the short training routes around Mezzenile.

Further Destinations for Orientation

Cebrosa, Beaulard, Riva presso Chieri, Cinzano, Cuorgnè, La Loggia, Verrua Savoia, Valprato Soana

For the overarching travel overview: Turin.