Ceronda Loop (AC)

The ANELLO CERONDA (AC) hiking and cycle-touring itinerary is so named because it develops in a circular form extending mostly in the valley of the Ceronda Stream.

The route is characterized by two sections with different features: a mountainous and panoramic part, which extends on the slopes of the Lanzo Ultramafic Massif, and an almost flat part that, at the foot of the pre-Alpine mountain group, borders the protected area of the La Mandria Regional Park. In both sections of the route, environments of value alternate, some trail sections offer an endless view over Turin and the Po Valley. Along the ancient mule tracks and rural roads, you cross the inhabited centers, agricultural areas, and the historical and cultural heritage of the Lower Valley municipalities.

Starting from Balangero and initially reaching the Devil's Bridge Park in Lanzo, the route first unfolds on the mountainous part with a series of climbs and descents crossing the mountain group until reaching the highest points in the Colle del Lys area. Upon reaching the slopes overlooking the Susa Valley, the route begins to descend in altitude to finally find the return stages extending in the flat agricultural belt surrounding La Mandria Park until reaching the Stura di Lanzo and closing the loop again at the Devil's Bridge.

The itinerary is fully accessible as a simple level hiking route, although some stages are challenging due to length and, in the height of summer, high temperatures and southern exposure can significantly increase fatigue. Thanks to some variants that avoid the purely hiking sections, the route is entirely passable by mountain bike.

Due to the proximity to inhabited centers for all stages, the stopover points are made up of small tourist and farm structures typical of the hamlets encountered, and to a lesser extent, mountain huts.

The routes take place on trails or on marked trail traces and mostly on rural dirt roads and forest tracks. All these routes can be traveled without equipment throughout the year, only in case of heavy snowfall the sections above 1000 m require the use of snowshoes. The length of some stages, both hiking and cycle-touring, requires good training. Being a circular route it is possible to access from any point and proceed in both directions. The itinerary offers the possibility to vary the route by joining the starting point of Lanzo with the Trek Calcante which can become an alternative extension towards the areas of the Middle and Upper Valley.