“Linea 7000” is a project that aims to show how our mountains and trails are easily accessible using public transport. The project, born from an idea by Gian Luca Gasca, promoted by the Italian Alpine Club and supported by Ferrino, focuses on the Sentiero Italia CAI route, the longest trek in the world that crosses the Alps, the Apennines and also the mountains of the two largest islands. A long itinerary that can become an opportunity for a conscious and low environmental impact discovery of our country. In this episode of the journey Gian Luca takes us to discover the Gran Paradiso National Park. Let's find out together how to reach the trails with public transport.
Reaching the trails
The gateway to the Sentiero Italia in the Gran Paradiso National Park is Ceresole Reale, in Piedmont. Ceresole is a renowned location for climbing enthusiasts.
Getting there by public transport is not easy. You start from Turin, the capital of Piedmont, which can be easily reached by plane or by high-speed train from Milan and Rome. After enjoying the magnificent Alpine panorama that the Savoy city, also known as the “capital of the Alps”, offers, you reach the Porta Nuova station where you can take one of the many train connections that reach Pont Canavese. From Pont, thanks to the GTT bus lines, you can continue by bus to Ceresole Reale. The trips are not very frequent, especially on weekends. It is advisable to check the timetables before departure, or contact the managing body to ask for information.
Our stop
Ceresole Reale – Noasca
Length: 10.51 km
Difficulty: E
Difference in altitude: 481 m
Signage: white and red stamps marked “YES”
A short stage with a low difference in altitude that allows you to savor the flavor of the Gran Paradiso National Park in just a few kilometers. After leaving Lake Ceresole Reale, you move west until you take the path that crosses the main road that reaches the town. From here, you climb north for a stretch, going beyond the boundaries of the park. You then turn right on a pleasant path halfway up the hill that passes through places that were symbolic for Italian climbing in the Seventies. This is where the first steps of the revolution that Gian Piero Motti called “New Morning” were taken. Glimpses of the Sergent and Caporal slabs transport you to another era while, step by step, you gain corners with breathtaking views of the valley, the artificial lake and the Tre Levanne, a true symbol of this portion of Piedmont. A suggestive stage that is suitable for everyone, with numerous water points along the entire route, as well as the opportunity to pass numerous mountain pastures populated during the summer season. You encounter them in the last part of the route, the one that descends towards Noasca.
For the return
From Noasca, thanks to the GTT line, it is possible to return to Ceresole Reale (20 min), or go down towards the valley in the direction of Pont Canavese, where there are connections with trains to Turin. As for the outward journey, it is a good idea to check the bus timetables first, given the infrequency of the means.
