Discover Valdieri: Nature, Culture and Thermal Baths

Valdieri combines protected landscapes, botanical diversity, special trails and a vibrant rye culture. It is also home to the Terme di Valdieri and several places where nature and history come vividly to life. When choosing a holiday apartment in Valdieri, you can therefore tailor your stay to very different interests: walks and nature observation, cultural discoveries or relaxing hours at the thermal complex.

Nature between the Maritime Alps and botanical diversity

Since 1984, the Rocca San Giovanni-Saben Nature Reserve has protected a particularly biodiverse part of the Maritime Alps. The Valderia Botanical Garden offers a concentrated insight into the region’s ecosystems. Around 500 species grow there, distributed across 14 areas that represent the main ecosystems of the Maritime Alps. The Parco Naturale Alpi Marittime was established in 1980 to protect the environment and fauna of the former hunting reserve of the House of Savoy.

The Valderia Agil trail also makes the Valderia Botanical Garden more accessible to different visitors: opened in 2021, the trail has a wooden surface and makes the lower section of the garden accessible to everyone. When planning a day of your holiday, this clearly defined area offers a way to discover Valdieri’s botanical side without requiring a visit to the entire garden.

The Sentiero delle farfalle: trail, nature and observation

The Sentiero delle farfalle in Valdieri is a roughly one-hour nature and cultural trail. A special natural-history feature can be found on the steps of the former Cementir open-pit mine: they are a preferred habitat of Papilio alexanor. Alongside its cultural dimension, the trail therefore also has a clear connection to the wildlife of the Maritime Alps.

Culture surrounding the necropolis and rye

The archaeological area of the necropolis includes an open-air museum trail. On display are cremation urns as well as bronze and bone grave goods recovered during excavations. The combination of an archaeological site and museum trail makes this area an informative stop for anyone interested in past ways of life.

In Sant’Anna di Valdieri, the Ecomuseo della Segale is dedicated to the cultivation and processing of rye. Exhibitions there are combined with activities and events. The Museo della Civiltà della Segale also presents stories and traditions connected by their shared focus on rye. Anyone choosing a holiday home or holiday apartment in Valdieri based on cultural themes will therefore find a clearly defined focus here, bringing together agriculture, everyday life and regional heritage.

Thermal baths and local orientation

The Terme di Valdieri complex includes swimming pools with hyperthermal sulphur water. The thermal facility and its associated services are open every year from the end of May to September. In addition, the Terme di Valdieri visitor centre offers a permanent exhibition on the protected areas of the Gesso Valley, a park shop and temporary exhibitions. This allows you to combine a nature and thermal-bath experience with an exhibition about the protected areas.

Discover more places

More places to consider when planning your trip: Farigliano, Gorzegno, Roata, Beinette, Castellino Tanaro, Argentera, Lurisia and Peveragno.

For the higher-level travel overview: Cuneo.