Piedmont’s western valleys: forts and the source of the Po
From Turin to a mountaintop abbey, Roman Susa and a giant Alpine fortress, then through the Po plain to Saluzzo and up to the foot of Monviso.
- Distance
- 223 km (139 mi)
- Driving
- 3 h 05 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 8
- Countries
- Italy
- Updated
- September 6, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 223 km (139 mi) with 8 stops, from Turin to Pian del Re, source of the Po. About 3 h 05 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Italy
Route description
Leave Turin westwards into the Susa valley and climb the side road to the Sacra di San Michele, perched on its peak. Susa, further up the valley, has a Roman arch of Augustus and the remains of an amphitheatre.
Continue to Oulx and climb to Sestriere, a ski resort at 2,035 m, then descend the SR23 through the Val Chisone to Fenestrelle. The fort’s walls climb the whole mountainside; the longer tours are strenuous. The gravel Colle delle Finestre links Susa and Fenestrelle directly, but it is for cars and bikes only, not motorhomes.
Drop to Pinerolo and cross the farmland south to Staffarda Abbey and Saluzzo, whose medieval upper town and Castiglia castle look towards Monviso.
The final road climbs the Po valley through Paesana and Crissolo to Pian del Re. It is narrow above Crissolo, closed in winter and sometimes limited to shuttles on summer weekends; check before going. Early summer brings flowers and snow still on Monviso.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Turin
Italy - 234 km
Sacra di San Michele
HistorySant’Ambrogio di Torino, ItalyAn abbey on the summit of Monte Pirchiriano above the Susa valley, the symbol of Piedmont. The last stretch up the Scalone dei Morti is on foot.
- 329 km
Susa
Italy - 430 km
Sestriere
Italy - 520 km
Fenestrelle Fort
HistoryFenestrelle, ItalyThe largest Alpine fortress in Europe, its walls climbing the mountainside for three kilometres. Guided tours range from an hour to a full day on the covered staircase.
- 656 km
Staffarda Abbey
HistoryRevello, ItalyA 12th-century Cistercian abbey in the farmland of the Po plain, with cloister, church and farm buildings all intact. Easy parking.
- 713 km
Saluzzo
Italy - 840 km
Pian del Re, source of the Po
NatureCrissolo, ItalyThe spring of Italy’s longest river, in a meadow at 2,020 m under the pyramid of Monviso. The road from Crissolo is narrow, closed in winter and sometimes limited in summer.
FAQs
How long is Piedmont’s western valleys: forts and the source of the Po?
4-day road trip of about 223 km (139 mi) with 8 stops, from Turin to Pian del Re, source of the Po. About 3 h 05 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Piedmont’s western valleys: forts and the source of the Po?
We suggest 4 days: about 3 h 05 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Piedmont’s western valleys: forts and the source of the Po start and end?
It starts in Turin and ends in Pian del Re, source of the Po.
Which countries does Piedmont’s western valleys: forts and the source of the Po pass through?
Italy.
