Coassolo among churches, alpine pastures and mountain trails

Churches, chapels and traditions

The round Cappella della Grata has an easily accessible walkway around it and numerous votive paintings. In the Cappella di San Sebastiano, frescoes depict the Virgin Mary with the Child, as well as Saints Sebastian, John, Roch and Anthony the Abbot.

The Chiesa Parrocchiale S. Nicolao stands on the site of a smaller church dating back to the mid-16th century. It houses an altarpiece attributed to Giovenone entitled “Madonna con Bambino”. Coassolo also has historic frescoes in churches and chapels dating from the late 15th century.

Farming and alpine life also remain present along the trails: masonry, tools and traditional activities are among the traces that can be discovered. Numerous alpine pastures and shepherds’ huts lie on the slopes, surrounded by well-known grazing areas and a dense network of trails through scenic landscapes. The area once had 13 major artificial irrigation channels known as “roye”.

For the chapel festivals, the Priori purchase bread which, through the blessing given by the priest during Mass, becomes “carità” and is distributed to participants together with a small refreshment. The San Rocco festival in the hamlet of Castiglione includes a meal and games for children.

Walks, mills and views

The easy Ponte Casassa–Coassolo San Pietro walk is about 2 kilometres long and offers views of Turin, the Canavese and the mountains of the Valli di Lanzo. The Cappella della Grata–Mulini Barot e Amoun circular route leads to two mills on the Torrente Tesso.

At the “Turcin” mill, a waterwheel, millstones and the water channel are visible; the mill has been restored and fitted out for commercial use. The Anello Castagno–Fuere–Bric di Coppo–Banche circular route takes about three hours and follows a scenic track through nature. It leads to Piano di Coppo, offering a panorama over the Po Valley.

The Sentiero del Pilone del Merlo passes through impressive beech and birch forests. The Sentiero della roggia di Bogno is relatively level and takes about 40 minutes; it ends at a beautiful riverside spot with a stretch of water where you can sunbathe and cool off. The trail from Saccona to Prato Rosso leads to a viewpoint reached on foot via an unpaved track.

Alpine pastures and mountain trails

From Leitisetto, you can continue exclusively on foot for about three hours to the Cialma alpine pastures and the summit of Vaccarezza. The Cialma alpine pasture offers views of the surrounding plain, mountains and valleys. The Vaccarezza–Angiolino ascent passes through the Cialma, Vaccarezza Inferiore and Vaccarezza Superiore alpine pastures before reaching the ridge between Vaccarezza and the summit of Angiolino.

Coassolo can be reached by road from Lanzo Torinese: after crossing the Torrente Tesso, turn right. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday house, you can therefore base your decision on your preferred daily itinerary – a short walk, a tour of the mills, or a longer route to alpine pastures and summits.

Discover more places

For further travel planning, you can also explore Bussoleno, San Maurizio Canavese, Sangano, Poirino, Scarmagno, Dubbione Di Pinasca, Sauze Di Cesana and Cesana Torinese as well.

To the higher-level travel overview: Turin.