CERES Santa Cristina Loop

Go up via Roma until you take via Cavalieri di Vittorio Veneto on the left (it is recommended to continue on via Roma for about a hundred meters for a small detour to admire the bell tower of Santa Marcellina). Follow the road until it becomes unpaved: here begins the path on the right which climbs steeply, crossing an unpaved road (to be ignored) until reaching the ancient buildings of Pian di Ceres. Continuing for a few minutes you reach the chapel of the Plague Victims and an old Barma (literally shelter under rock). Here the path crosses the unpaved road several times, then continues to climb with a steep incline until the chapel of the Angels. The path keeps climbing, crosses a stream and goes into a conifer forest to reach Col Balance (1272 m). Ignore the forks on the left, descend slightly to resume the last climb that leads to the base of the final staircase, at the top of which you reach the sanctuary.

From Santa Cristina, descend the staircase to turn right at its base and enter the opposite side of the mountain (towards the North). Then descend on large stone steps and lower down the route crosses a forest road several times until reaching the valley floor in the locality of Inverso. Shortly beyond, at the height of a votive pillar, there is a junction of unpaved roads: turn right and follow the stream for a couple of kilometers. Before reaching the asphalt road, take a small path on the right that leads towards Ceres: first near the cemetery and then reconnects to the outbound route at the bell tower. Alternatively, you reach the asphalt road and take it to the right towards the center of the village.

Access to the sanctuary can also be made starting from Cantoira or from the Voragno hamlet of Ceres.

Non-slip sole footwear, wind/rain protection, a warm layer, hat and sunglasses are recommended.

There are no refreshment points along the route, so you should stock up on water and food at the start.

The useful exits from the Turin ring road are Venaria Reale or Borgaro: then join provincial road 1 (direct route) of the Lanzo valleys. In Germagnano follow signs for Ceres.

Train: SFMA line Turin - Caselle - Ceres.
From the station it takes less than ten minutes to reach the village center, the starting point of the loop.

Parking is available on the left before entering the village center. Another parking lot is in the parish square, or from the center towards Val Grande there is parking on via Roma at the junction with SP 33dir.

For information: Lanzo Valleys Tourist Operators Consortium - www.turismovallidilanzo.it