VALSESIA | From Gattinara to Torre delle Castelle and Castle of San Lorenzo

HIKING LOW VALLEY

From Gattinara to Torre delle Castelle and Castello di San Lorenzo

The vineyards, the Tower and an ancient castle

A simple and exquisitely cultural itinerary. The Castle of S. Lorenzo, built in 1187 by the Municipality of Vercelli to guard the mouths of Valsesia, is located on one of the highest hills north of Gattinara, at an altitude of 536 m.

Activities

hiking

Period

all year round

Difficulty

hiking

Duration

50 min

Departure

Gattinara (263 m)

Arrival

Castello di San Lorenzo (540 m)

Elevation Gain

277 m

Within its ancient walls lies the chapel of S. Lorenzo, which tradition tells is the burial place of Bishop San Filosofo, who took refuge on the mountain to escape the persecutions of the Lombards. The massive Torre delle Castelle, which is the second point of interest on this itinerary, dates back to the 11th century and is surrounded by fine vineyards. The tower is part of a fortified system consisting of two masonry enclosures (the Castelle, indeed) built in subsequent periods. The panorama here is enchanting, especially on clear days when Monte Rosa provides a backdrop to the hills of Gattinara.

Although the path to the castle does not have CAI signage, you will have no difficulty in reaching it, as the remains are visible and the ascent route is very intuitive. From the Gattinara bypass, follow via Monte Bianco, passing the level crossing and turning right (at the height of via Cervino) onto the road that runs alongside the railway. From this point begins a dirt road that winds its way through the vineyards offering a beautiful glimpse of the town. Near the ruins of the church of San Grato, the path continues into the woods, bypassing a hill and reaching a dirt road that leads to the Castle of San Lorenzo, surpassing a couple of bends (the entire route takes about fifty minutes). The Tower can be easily reached from the center by following the signs, with a 15-minute walk.

Hiking Guide

SAMUELE BADINO

I live in the mountains and have always experienced them in all their forms and meanings. I have crossed my homeland Valsesia far and wide and from there I...

Novara Hills
Gattinara Hills
Lower Valsesia
Valsesia
Val Mastallone
Val Sermenza

Cycling Tour Guide

LUCA BONACINA

My name is Luca Bonacina, born in '81, and I am a GEA Guide and Tourist and Cycling Companion from Borgomanero (NO). I graduated in Industrial Design, but ...

Novara Hills
Gattinara Hills
Lower Valsesia
Valsesia
Val Mastallone

Tourist Guide

GIUSEPPINA GRECI

Graduated in Modern Literature, artistic direction, I deepened through post-graduate courses my training, adding in 2005 the qualification for the professi...

Gattinara Hills
Valsesia

International Mountain Leader

VALENTINA TARANA

I was born and raised in the Biella area, always looking towards the south face of Monte Rosa. After obtaining a degree in Philosophy with a thesis on moun...

Gattinara Hills
Lower Valsesia
Valsesia
Val Mastallone
Val Sermenza

Tourist Guide

MONICA INGLETTI

Hello, I am Monica, a true Varallese deeply in love with her Valsesia.I have been a Tourist Guide and Hiking Guide since 2009, working as a freelancer with...

Novara Hills
Gattinara Hills
Lower Valsesia
Valsesia
Val Mastallone
Val Sermenza

Tourist Guide

GIULIA VARETTI

Freelancer, Licensed Tourist Guide for the provinces of Vercelli, Novara and Pavia, with a long-standing passion (it's been more than 15 years now!) for st...

Novara Hills
Gattinara Hills
Valsesia

Cycling Tour Guide

MANUEL MINOLA VIOLINO

Three decades of passion and knowledge are ready for you. As a tireless explorer, I invite you to discover the wonders of North Eastern Piedmont. My life i...

Novara Hills
Gattinara Hills
Lower Valsesia
Valsesia
Val Mastallone
Val Sermenza

Cycling Tour Guide

GIANNI IORIO

Black is the name by which I am known in the amateur and tourist mountain biking sector.After almost twenty years of experience and knowledge of the territ...

Novara Hills
Gattinara Hills
Lower Valsesia
Valsesia

Hiking Guide

EDOARDO ZANOLETTI

Always passionate about mountains and related outdoor activities, military history, and wildlife observation, a former volunteer with the Red Cross and the...

Valsesia
Val Mastallone
Val Sermenza

Hiking guide

IACOPO TANZIO ARFINO

Born and raised in Valsesia, of which I am deeply in love, I have always nurtured a passion for nature and the mountains. At the same time, I studied fores...

Lower Valsesia
Valsesia
Val Mastallone
Val Sermenza

Cycling Tour Guide

ILARIA BIANCHI

The bicycle allows me to go at the right speed to discover the territory, so much so that I traveled all over Italy with my adventure companion, Tomato Ket...

Novara Hills
Lower Valsesia

Hiking guide

DAVIDE BRACCHI

I have nurtured my passion for the mountains since the summers spent with my family in the Bergamasque and Brescian Alps. At 16, I began going to the mount...

Gattinara Hills
Lower Valsesia
Valsesia
Val Mastallone
Val Sermenza

Tourist Guide

DANIELA MARIANGELA VIGNALI

I have been a licensed tour guide since 2009 and I love the area where I take guided tours ...

Valsesia

Tourist Guide

CRISTINA TRAPELLA

I am Cristina Trapella, a licensed guide and tour leader.I approached this profession after a long experience gained in the field of art education for chil...

Novara Hills
Gattinara Hills
Lower Valsesia
Valsesia

Hiking Guide

SIRIA MOROSO

Hello! My name is Siria, I live in the Novara Hills, just a few steps from Valsesia, lands of wine, ancient flavors, and culture. I love walking, I enjoy d...

Novara Hills
Gattinara Hills
Valsesia

Cycling Tour Guide

MARCO GUIDOTTI

I'm Marco, I've been a mountain bike enthusiast for over 30 years, and I've turned this passion into a 360° job by opening an MTB and EBIKE rental center,...

Novara Hills
Gattinara Hills
Lower Valsesia
Valsesia
Val Mastallone
Val Sermenza

Cycling Tour Guide

EMILIA ZAMPAGLIONE

My name is Emilia, I am passionate about Biking and Snowboarding. I have a business in Valsesia in the municipality of Scopa, a rental center for skiing an...

Novara Hills
Gattinara Hills
Lower Valsesia
Valsesia
Val Mastallone
Val Sermenza

Cycling Tour Guide

STEFANO LEONE

Hello, I'm Stefano. I have always been passionate about the outdoors—I love the mountains and nature. For over 20 years, mountain biking has been my way ...

Novara Hills
Gattinara Hills
Lower Valsesia
Valsesia

Hiking Guide

MARCO FAVA

I was born and live in Valsesia, and I have always deeply loved the Valley in all its facets.With over twenty years as a Hiking and Nature Guide, I have se...

Novara Hills
Gattinara Hills
Lower Valsesia
Valsesia
Val Mastallone
Val Sermenza

Hiking guide

MARCO FARINA

Walking in the mountains has profoundly transformed my life. By collaborating with the Protected Areas of Valsesia as a promoter and guide, I carry out man...

Lower Valsesia
Valsesia
Val Mastallone
Val Sermenza

Hiking Guide

REBECCA PAGANI

Rebecca Pagani is a biologist specialized in botany and an environmental hiking guide. She has studied the ecology of Piedmont’s alpine vegetation and, i...

Novara Hills
Gattinara Hills
Lower Valsesia
Val Mastallone
Val Sermenza
Valsesia

Cycling Tour Guide

RENZO GAGLIARDINI

I'm Renzo, deeply in love with our beautiful Valsesia and all the surrounding territory. For over twenty years I have enjoyed rediscovering the many routes...

Lower Valsesia
Val Mastallone
Valsesia

Hiking guide

VIOLA BARINOTTI

I was born and raised in Valsesia and I am deeply in love with this land.Originally from Varallo and now living in Alagna for over a decade, I try to share...

Valsesia
Val Sermenza
Val Mastallone

Hiking Guide

VALENTINA ZAMPIERON

In my excursions, I aim to avoid the obvious destinations and well-trodden paths. I prefer quiet places where there is still something unspoiled, where aut...

Colline Novaresi
Gattinara Hills
Lower Valsesia
Val Mastallone
Val Sermenza
Valsesia

Hiking Guide

ILARIA SELVAGGIO

I am a naturalist and environmental hiking guide: I will take you into Valsesia and the Sesia Val Grande Geopark, sharing the wonders of the area with a hi...

Colline Novaresi
Gattinara Hills
Lower Valsesia
Val Mastallone
Val Sermenza
Valsesia

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Credits © Davide Morello

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