Cuneo between Marguareis, museums and regional cuisine

The Marguareis limestone massif in the Ligurian Alps is home to one of Europe’s most significant karst systems. Since its establishment in 1978, the Parco Naturale del Marguareis has protected 7,900 hectares of alpine landscape in the upper valleys of Pesio and Tanaro, as well as in the municipalities of Chiusa Pesio, Briga Alta and Ormea. From the summit of Marguareis at an altitude of 2,652 metres, the view extends from Corsica to Monte Rosa.

Nature and trails

The Parco Naturale delle Alpi Marittime also combines natural and cultural traces: the ibex was reintroduced there from Gran Paradiso. At the same time, the park preserves roads, paths and residences dating from the former royal hunting reserve of the Italian kings. In the southern section of the lower Val Maira, 400 earth formations rise in the shape of columns with rocks resting on top.

The Parco Fluviale Gesso e Stura features a green network of cycle paths and footpaths, as well as designated trails for hiking and cycling. A 52-kilometre route starts in Cuneo and can be covered on foot or by bicycle. A 15-kilometre former military road, recently restored, also crosses the landscape of the Parco del Marguareis between Certosa di Pesio and Colle della Boaria towards the Alta Via del Sale; it can be used on foot, by mountain bike, e-bike or on horseback.

Visits and activities

The information point of the Parco Fluviale Gesso e Stura is located at Piazzale Walther Cavallera 13 in Cuneo. It is the contact and booking point for scheduled excursions, guided tours and nature-related activities. Paid offers can be booked online or there until 4 p.m. on the previous working day, unless otherwise stated. Reservations are required for visits to the Grotta di Bossea.

At Forte di Vinadio, a path runs across three levels and is approximately ten kilometres long in total. Castello della Manta offers a wide range of guided tours for individual visitors and groups. In the park of Racconigi, walks and picnics are possible in the shade of old trees.

Culture and history

The Museo Civico di Cuneo is located in the monumental San Francesco complex and presents the history of the area from prehistory to the modern era. The Museo Casa Galimberti is housed in the former private residence and professional studio of Tancredi Galimberti and presents the history of the Galimberti family in the 19th and 20th centuries.

The Museo Diocesano San Sebastiano is located in the oldest part of the city of Cuneo and opened in 2012. It presents the history of Cuneo from the perspectives of religious devotion, art and urban development. Castello della Manta was the residence of the Counts of Saluzzo della Manta for four centuries. Its Sala Baronale preserves an outstanding cycle of late Gothic secular paintings.

The Museo del Setificio Piemontese is the permanent exhibition focus of the Filatoio di Caraglio. Espaci Occitan serves as a showcase for Occitan culture and as an interpretation centre for the area. Teatro Toselli hosts a theatre season as well as additional performances outside subscription programmes.

Regional cuisine

The cuisine of the Cuneese area uses local ingredients, including Alpine cheeses such as Raschera and Castelmagno DOP. Traditional artisan preparations include filled pasta, cakes and biscuits made from wheat or Ottofile maize flour. The Fiera Nazionale del Marrone di Cuneo is one of the historic gastronomic events celebrating typical products and traditional dishes.

Getting there and other destination pages

Cuneo Airport is connected to Turin and Fossano by an Aerobus service coordinated with flight arrivals and departures. You can also visit the destination pages for Pianfei, Sanfront, Entracque, San Damiano Macra, Beinette, Roccaforte Mondovì, Canosio, Roe, Ruà, Roburent, Santa Margherita, Villanova Mondovì, Stroppo, Vernante, Prine, Roà Marenca, Crissolo, Frabosa Sottana, Limone Piemonte and Barge.

To the overarching travel overview: Piedmont.