10 Experiences for a Wonderful Holiday in Piedmont

At the maze at Castello di Masino (Masino Castle), around 50 kilometres from Turin, towards Ivrea and Lake Viveone, you can put your sense of direction to the test in a botanical labyrinth. It's made up of over 2,000 hornbeam trees cut to form hedges that turn into walls and passageways.

This unique attraction is found inside the park surrounding the castle and still has the shapes and dimensions from the original design, created in the second half of the 18th century. If you can't find your way out, a small tower stands in the middle of the interlinking passageways – from the top you can figure out the right route.

The Fortezza di Fenestrelle (Fenestrelle Fort) is an imposing defensive structure that stands on the road that goes from Turin to Sestriere. It was built in the 18th century to protect the French-Piedmontese border and block the advance of enemy armies through the Chisone Valley. The fort comprises different buildings positioned on various levels along the slope of the mountainside: to get from the lowest position to the highest, you'll have to overcome a 600-metre difference in elevation.

All the elements in the huge complex are connected by passages and walkways, including the Scala Coperta (Covered Stairway), a gallery that snakes for more than 2 kilometres, made up of around 4,000 steps protected by thick stone walls and vaults.

The Sacra di San Michele (Abbey of San Michele) stands out in the Susa Valley, with vertical architectural forms that seem to extend the rocky spur they stand on. Built by Benedictines in the 10th century, it became one of the main centres of medieval spirituality. Climb the striking Scalone dei Morti (Stairway of the Dead), to admire important artworks within the church, including a triptych by Defendente Ferrari and a fresco depicting the Assumption.

At the north-western end of the complex are the ruins of Torre della Bell'Alda (Tower of the Beautiful Alda). According to legend, a girl threw herself off it to escape soldiers. St Michael saved her once, but she was left to her own devices when she tried again.

The Funivia del Mottarone (Mottarone cable car) provides beautiful lake views to breathtaking scenes nearly 1,500 metres above sea level. This amazing journey goes from Stresa to Alpino and then almost to the summit of the mountain, which you can reach via a final stretch in a chair lift. The view is unbeatable, with the Monte Rosa mountain massif and the Alps framing a vista dotted with seven lakes, from Lake Orta on the western side to Lake Varese to the east.

On the clearest days, you can even see Milan’s skyscrapers. The first stretch of cableway provides a view over the entire Borromeo Gulf of Lake Maggiore and its beautiful islands: Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Madre.

Which wine from Langhe is your favourite: Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera or Dolcetto? You can decide during your holiday in Langhe, the area of southern Piedmont between Cuneo and Asti. You'll be struck by the views over the vineyard-covered hills that extend as far as the eye can see, only interrupted by small towns, castles and farmhouses of farmers and vine growers. Many wine producers welcome visitors with tastings and guided tours of their wineries.

For example, at Tenuta del Barone, in Narzole, you can try red and white wines accompanied by cured meats, cheeses and truffles, and at Coppo in Canelli, you can even see the historic cellars carved into the tuff.

The trails of the Gran Bosco di Salbertrand (Great Forest of Salbertrand) are accessible all year round, whether that’s on foot or mountain bike in summer, or skis or snowshoes come winter. This Susa Valley nature park is crossed on the valley floor by the Via Francigena, the old pilgrims' route that went from north-western Europe to Rome. Want to try your hand at more challenging hikes and elevation changes?

The Grande Traversata delle Alpi long-distance hiking trail goes up to the divide with the Chisone Valley at nearly 2,500 metres above sea level. Prefer exploring historical places? Follow the route Charlemagne travelled when he came to Italy to face the Lombards on the Sentiero dei Franchi (Trail of the Franks).

The Ponte Tibetano di Claviere (Claviere Tibetan Bridge) is a bridge that's both thrilling and record-breaking. 544 metres long, it's suspended over the Gorge di San Gervasio (San Gervasio Gorge), a magnificent natural ravine created by the erosion of glaciers and rivers. You have to cross three bridges to complete the route. The first crosses the gorge, while the second follows it for around 500 metres along the rock walls at a height of 30 metres.

The third bridge is 90 metres high and takes you back to the town. The route lasts around an hour and a half and you must wear a helmet, harness and safety gear, which you can hire from the ticket office.

Orridi di Uriezzo (Uriezzo Gorges), located in the Antigorio Valley, in the northernmost corner of Piedmont. When the ice melted thousands of years ago, the force of the water eroded the rocks and opened up impenetrable passages. Today, you can reach three gorges by following the paths of the old streams on foot, along the routes that leave from Premia, Baceno and Verampio.

Between the high rock walls, where flashes of sky and beams of light filtering down create amazing effects, the damp darknessencourages the growth of mosses and ferns. It's a setting with a primeval allure that you can visit between spring and autumn. Guided hikes are organised during the summer months.