Highlights and tour details
The route consists of four stages:
1) Cuneo-Roccasparvera 19.6 km
2) Roccasparvera-Demonte 17.2 km
3) Demonte-Vinadio 14.4 km
4) Vinadio-Santuario di S. Anna 12.6 km
The two parallel routes have different traffic flows:
- heavy: SS 20, SS 21 and SP 255 (closed to vehicular traffic during the winter months)
- low: SS 20, SP337 (former military) and SP 255 (closed to vehicular traffic during the winter months).
The SP 255 leads to Colle della Lombarda, a connecting mountain pass with France. The road is also used by shepherds to take their herds to the alpine pastures.
It is possible to walk the last few kilometres along the dirt track, which deviates from the road.
Points of interest
The Cammino di Sant'Anna is a religious route linked to the saint to whom the Sanctuary is dedicated, which was built in the homonymous valley, in Valle Stura, at an altitude of 2035 m.
The place of worship was established between the 11th and 12th centuries as a hospice for wayfarers and dedicated to St. Maria di Brasca. Between the 15th and 16th centuries, the complex was dedicated to St. Anna. In 1681, the new church was inaugurated, of the same size as the current one and with a craggy wooden floor.
Being a pilgrimage destination, the church complex is equipped with dormitories and a refreshment point.
At Pratolungo, there is a stage post dedicated to the walk.
There are numerous accommodation facilities and places to eat along the route, as well as e-bike rental services and tourist operators offering outdoor activities such as rafting, rivertrekking, climbing and cycling itineraries.
Access
The route is completely marked from the departure from Cuneo railway station (and alternatively also from Piazza Torino - bus arrival point) to the end, with white and red signposts bearing the Cammino logo, metal supports, signs and plaques on the hiking poles. The colours change to blue and yellow only on the final ascent because the route coincides with the existing traditional path.
POSSIBLE RISKS Attention must be paid to the transit of motor vehicles.
Other information
Historical interest: Yes
Provinces crossed: Cuneo
Departure, arrival and municipalities crossed
Cuneo see on map
Cuneo see on map