Day 1| Crissolo

Highlights [top]

• the source of the river and spectacular Po valley
• castles
• Torino and his ancient royal residences
• wine and food
• typical rural small villages
• the rice-field, the herons and many acquatic birds
• Pavia and his ancient covered bridge

Description [top]

If you like the charming scenery of Alps and the spectacle of nature, if you wish to hear its sounds, to observe animals living in their own environment, to perceive the harmony of colours, to plunge into a green world, we’ll take you to discover the secrets of some of the most beautiful parks in Piedmont, the first region in Italy to create protected areas. It is possible to prolongue this itinerary up to Po delta crossing Lombardia and Emilia-Romagna.

Tour Map [top]

Enlarge Map

Days detail [top]

Day 1 | Crissolo, Piedmont, Italy

1st day Individual arrival to Saluzzo –
This medieval small town at the foot of one of the highest mountains in the Alps, Monviso, is wonderful. Former capital of a marquisate with the same name, every year it takes place here an antique trade exposition. All this area is renowned for its antique furniture

Day 2 | Saluzzo, Piedmont, Italy

2nd day (about 40 km) Saluzzo – source of Po (by minibus) – Saluzzo
Downhills along the spectacular Po valley, then back to Saluzzo; not far from the town you can reach the village of Manta and visit the interesting castle on a green hill.
In case of snow around the source as an alternative we suggest a tour around Saluzzo to see its castles, up to Savigliano and back

Day 3 | Pinerolo, Piedmont, Italy

3rd day (about 50 km) Saluzzo – Cavour – Pinerolo
Along country roads crossing orchards and vineyards, you get to Cavour with its curious “Rocca”, a morainic hill just in the middle of the flat, at the present time protected area. Overnight stay in the delicious Pinerolo, where in the past there was one of the most famous schools of cavalry in Italy.

Day 4 | Torino, Piedmont, Italy

4th day (about 45 km) Pinerolo – Stupinigi – Torino
Along pleasant cycle-tracks, at first at the foot of mountains, then along the stream Sangone, an affluent of Po, you get to the hunting palace of Stupinigi, royal residence of the family Savoia, masterpiece by the architect Filippo Juvarra in rococo style; then park by park, always along the river, you get to Torino in a very pleasant way

Day 5 | Fontanetto Po, Piedmont, Italy

5th day (ca 55 km) Torino-Chivasso-Fontanetto Po
After a short visit of the first capital of Italy, very smart city, your trip goes on towards east; in Chivasso you cycle for a short stretch along the canal Cavour that here comes out from the river Po; in short you’ll see all around you the rice-fields, a wonderful landscape in May, when they are covered by water.

Day 6 | Valenza, Piedmont, Italy

6th day (ca 60 km) Fontanetto Po-Casale Monferrato-Valenza Po
After the overnight stay in Fontanetto, typical rural small village, very quiet and genuine, you go on cycling among rice-fields and beautiful landscapes of the river up to Casale, nice small town, gate to Monferrato, region renowned for its eno-gastronomic specialities; at the end of the day you get to the neighbourhood of Valenza, the most important goldsmith’s art centre in Piemonte

Day 7 | Pavia, Lombardy, Italy

7th day (ca 70 km) Valenza Po-Pavia
Today you get into another italian region, Lombardia, and cycle near another river called Ticino, affluent of Po; the landscape along this river is really wonderful and full of bights. In the last stretch before coming to Pavia you cycle following very narrow rural roads at the side of small canals. The sugggestive entry into Pavia is on the ancient covered bridge, similar to the Swiss ones. In the neighbourhood of Pavia (10 km) - if you have time - it is worth a visit to the famous “Certosa”, a Reinassance abbey.

Day 8 | Pavia, Lombardy, Italy

8th day Pavia – end of the tour; departure or return by train and bus to Saluzzo or by private minibus (to reserve in advance) to Saluzzo. Possibility of an additional night in Pavia

Trip notes [top]

Period [top]

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec

Included [top]

• Accommodation in three star hotels or good “agriturismi” (farmhouses) bed and breakfast
• Transfer from Saluzzo to Po sources 
• Baggage transfer from hotel to hotel
• Tourist information, maps, road book in english, german, french
• Insurance 24/24
• Emergency phone numbers

Not included [top]

• transfer from the airport to Saluzzo/Pavia 
• Transfer from Pavia to Saluzzo
• rent bike
• Beverages
• lunch
• entrance fees, tips
• everything not included at the item “the rate includes”

Notes [top]

• supplement single room   185 €
• half board   145 €
• rent bike with bags       60 €
• additional nights in Saluzzo, Torino, Pavia
• Other possibilities:
   1) 8 days/7 nights with 2 night in Turin and without source
   2) 7 days/6 nights without source    537 € 
   3) 9 days/8 nights with 2 night in Turin
• possibility of cycling guide for a minimum of 10 persons

Equipment [top]

• helmet recommended
• city bike with gears