Ceresole Reale

This small village in the Orco Valley, on the extreme western border of the Canavese, is a place of high environmental value: the numerous lakes that surround it, the richness of the Gran Paradiso National Park, the various itineraries make it a perfect destination for a stay in harmony with nature.

At first, Ceresole was perhaps inhabited by the Celts. The Latin inscriptions that appear on some boulders of the mines of Cuccagna and Bellagarda, on the other hand, are evidence of Roman domination. According to tradition, in imperial times Christians were forced to work in the mines. The victims of this hard work gave rise to a cult of a saint, Saint Miner or Saint Meinerio. In the XI century, Ceresole, together with the Orco Valley, was donated by Emperor Otto III to the Bishop of Vercelli.
In 1794 the population repelled the French Republicans who had invaded the area by passing through the Galisia Hill and still found themselves fighting them when, two years later, they came back down again by passing through the Nivolet Hill.

In 1862, Vittorio Emanuele II granted Ceresole the title of Royal; it is the only municipality, together with Venaria Reale, to have this honour.

The uncontaminated landscape of Ceresole is the background to the kingdom of alpine fauna: chamois, foxes, eagles, marmots live here together with the ibex, symbol of the Gran Paradiso National Park. The natural and silent environment from which the resort is surrounded is ideal to practice an infinite number of sports activities, both summer and winter.

From the village there are hundreds of paths, suitable for all types of hikers. After the ascent uphill through fir and larch forests, a unique spectacle awaits you at the top: the perspective widens and your gaze can sweep over the peaks, giving you a feeling of profound well-being. You can admire the splendid alpine flora, including rhododendrons and edelweiss, and finally relax on the various plateaus, enjoying the view and the sudden appearances of chamois, ibex, eagles and marmots.
Even in winter, nature bewitches you with its whiteness and peace. The cross-country ski run and the snowshoe trails, which wind along the frozen lake in the middle of meadows and woods, allow you to enjoy an active and peaceful holiday at the same time. Ceresole Reale is the ideal place for even the most demanding and experienced mountain lovers: in summer, try trekking at high altitude and climbing on the historic walls of Sergent and Caporal; in winter, go on adventures such as ski mountaineering and climbing on ice falls, even in the fun artificial gym X-Ice Park.

If you are planning a holiday in Ceresole, you can't miss a visit to the Nivolet Pass (2600 m a.s.l.): within the protected area of the Gran Paradiso National Park, it is famous for its uncontaminated alpine lakes; it is also a destination for astronomy enthusiasts because it is free of light pollution. From here you can enjoy a splendid view of the Gran Paradiso Massif.

A not-to-be-missed itinerary is the Lake Tour: with its ring-shaped structure, it covers the entire lake of Ceresole. In winter it turns into a cross-country ski run (the frozen lake mentioned above); in summer it becomes the surface on which sailboats, kayaks and canoes rest, giving tourists the chance to plough its waters.

As in every Italian resort, there is no lack of good food: the gastronomy offers simple dishes, typical of the mountain tradition, but rich in flavour and tempting scents. Those who visit Ceresole cannot but taste the tasty "polenta concia" (maize flour polenta enriched with cheese, toma cheese and butter). The polenta is accompanied by meat, especially game. The other ingredients of the cuisine come from nature: mushrooms, berries and wild herbs are part of many local recipes.

If you want to take home a souvenir of your holiday, choose a piece of toma di Ceresole, the typical cheese of the area made with milk from cows grazing in the high alpine pastures, with an intense and particular taste.
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