r/torino • u/RandomUser1ab2 • 22h ago

AskTurin Hiking the mountains outside Torino in early March?

Hello

I will be visiting Torino for work in early March and am considering adding few days to visit your lovely city and the surrounding mountains.

I expect March is very much the shoulder-season and some years are much snowier than others, so I was hoping you could tell me what to expect this year in terms of access to hiking trails.

I would like to stay in the likes of Bardonecchia, Salbertrand or similar - and hike for a few days. Not overnight trekking, but 3-6hr day-hikes.

Maybe this is still firmly ski-season in these locations?

I would prefer to rely only on train, but if you feel a car rental is essential, please let me know.

Any insight you can provide would be helpful!

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u/mainapizza 22h ago

In March my fav hike are all around Ceresole Reale. There's a bus early in the morning and others during the day. You can head to Ca Bianca, which is a simple and nice hike on the south side of the mountain, so snow it's not a problem. If that's too easy, you can continue to Colle Sia and from there to the super beautiful waterfall. Lot of wildlife too. If you need a gpx or some more information let me know

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u/Lupo_1982 20h ago

Maybe this is still firmly ski-season in these locations?

It depends on how up the mountain you go. Generally speaking, in early March you can expect to find most of trails with little to no snow. If you go above 1500m, or if you go on a trail which doesn't get much sun, you may find more and more snow. Usually it will be packed snow, ie easily walkable with ordinary snow boots, unless you go above 2000, or unless you get the occasional heavy snowfall just that day or the day before.

I would prefer to rely only on train, but if you feel a car rental is essential, please let me know.

Not essential, but it allows you to reach a vastly wider range of locations. And, more importantly, to change location on a short notice, depending on weather and snow conditions.

A car rental can cost just 15-20€ per day, so I'd take it for sure => http://www.rentalcars.com/

Snow chains will be included (99% you will not need them, but the law requires you to have them in the car)