The alpine valley par excellence of our Canavese, the one that, if followed to its end and tip, would allow passage to Valsavaranche in Valle d’Aosta, with one of the most extraordinary and scenic roads in the Italian Alps: the road that leads to Colle del Nivolet at 2700 meters. We are in the heart of the Gran Paradiso National Park, Piedmont side, and the conditional is necessary because the road reaches up there, does not continue on the Aosta side, and this helps to preserve the natural habitat of Italy’s oldest park!

Why such an evocative name? An “orc” never promises anything good! Orco is the stream that, starting from Lake Rosset at an altitude of 2709 meters, runs through the entire valley and, after 90 km, flows into the Po at Chivasso: when in flood, it has an uncontrollable fierceness and violence! And to think that the name by which it is called in the plains is “Eva d’Or,” meaning “water of gold,” for the flakes of precious metal that it carries with it.

It is the ideal place for those who love high mountains, welcoming refuges, high-altitude trekking, free climbing, but also two wheels: only rock, sky, alpine lakes, waterfalls, and animals in the wild, starting with the friendly marmots, up to chamois in marvelous balance on rocky spurs! There are hundreds of kilometers of trails to be walked, many of which trace the ancient hunting roads of the House of Savoy along which, depending on the season, it is not rare to see ibex grazing mosses and lichens. At altitude, the landscapes are often dotted with bodies of water, sometimes natural, sometimes artificial: here, indeed, the work of man and nature have learned to coexist, one has adapted to the other and vice versa.

The large dam that, in fact, gave rise to Lake Ceresole, was built in 1932 and the National Park was already born, 3 years earlier! Now we could no longer imagine the valley without this emerald basin, around which it is possible to take splendid walks and enjoy, in the short summer season, the multiple colorful blooms. Equally, we would not have the spectacular view from Colle del Nivolet, with the Serrù and Agnel lakes, also originated from artificial barriers, with the hairpin bends of the provincial road: images now universally recognized.

There are not many inhabited centers; after Pont Canavese, which stands at the entrance to both Valle Orco and Valle Soana, one begins to climb and encounters Sparone, Locana, Noasca, and Ceresole Reale. The sides of the mountains, initially very wooded, become increasingly rugged.

In short, it is a valley to be lived in all seasons and where sports of all levels can be practiced; but forget crowded ski slopes: the only lift is that of Alpe Cialma, above Locana, set in a truly unforgettable natural landscape and an ideal destination for families with children and young people.

Here is another aspect of CANAVESE VILLAGE!

Take notes, because these could be your next destinations in Canavese:

A moonlit snowshoeing excursion on the snows at Ceresole Reale, accompanied by highly experienced authorized guides of the Park.

A nice walk to get behind the waterfall of Noasca.

A day in nature to climb to Pian del Nivolet: choose a summer weekday, so the spectacle will be just for you and a few others!

Some interesting ascents of our peaks (but only for the most daring), like Monte Colombo and Punta d’Arbella, to be in the presence of pristine and authentic landscapes.