Pragelato: Nature Park, Frescoes and Alpine Traditions

Nature Trails and Cross-Country Skiing in Val Troncea

Parco Naturale Val Troncea has 22 trails created and signposted by the park authority. In addition, seven self-guided thematic trails have been established for excursions. They have a recommended direction of travel, can mostly be completed in one day, and are signposted. The park staff maintain them regularly. The recommended direction organizes the route of a self-guided excursion, while the predominantly one-day duration provides a time frame. This means that an individual thematic route can be considered a day trip; at the same time, the other trails remain available as additional routes in the park. Since most of the trails can be completed in one day, the time available may play a role when choosing between the seven self-guided thematic trails.

The park can be explored on foot; there is a large car park in front of the park entrance. In winter, the valley floor of Parco Naturale Val Troncea can be explored on a cross-country ski trail that is always groomed. This provides two different ways of getting around when planning for the season: walking in the park and cross-country skiing on the valley floor. The winter trail complements the hiking routes as a seasonal activity on the valley floor.

Discover the Landscape, Flora and Fauna

The Museo Naturalistico of Parco Naturale Val Troncea uses information panels to present the park’s landscape areas, forests, traditional architecture and history, as well as its flora and fauna. An ethnobotanical trail has been created outside the museum. The museum also offers self-guided botanical trails. This provides different points of access to nature observation and local history in Parco Naturale Val Troncea.

Ruà, Frescoes and Alpine Traditions

The parish church of Santa Maria Assunta is located in Pragelato’s historic town center, Ruà. Its ceilings feature valuable fresco decorations, including floral compositions and depictions of sacred figures.

The Museo del Costume e delle Tradizioni delle Genti Alpine was opened to the public in August 1998 in the old district of La Ruà. It presents everyday objects from household and working life in various areas: the stable, kitchen, bedroom, hayloft, cellar and the characteristic “croutin.” The current features and forms of Pragelato’s traditional costumes were preserved through the gradual overlaying of Savoyard Francophone culture onto the pre-existing Francophone Provençal-Alpine Escarton culture. For those interested in culture, sacred art, everyday objects and alpine costumes can be considered as separate themes during a stay in Pragelato.

Highlights for Planning Your Days

For planning your days, the self-guided trails, with their recommended direction of travel and predominantly one-day duration, provide a concrete framework. In the historic town center and in La Ruà, fresco decorations, everyday objects and costumes are among the cultural highlights. In winter, the cross-country ski trail on the valley floor adds another distinct highlight.

More Destinations

Candiolo, Rosta, Alpette, Torre, Prali, Volpiano, Barbania, Bardonecchia

To the main travel overview: Turin.