Val Germanasca — Miniere di Talco
Places
Hike·Easy·Family·Hidden gem

Val Germanasca — Miniere di Talco

Piedmont

The Val Germanasca is a Waldensian valley above Pinerolo — the Waldensians (pre-Reformation Protestant sect) have lived here since the 12th century in a landscape of stone chapels and terraced fields. The talc mines at Prali and Fontane are the largest in Europe. The Germanasca torrent is glacier-fed and entirely undeveloped. The valley has almost no tourism infrastructure outside the Waldensian cultural circuit.

Duration
3 hours
Distance
7 km
Elevation
+250 m
Best season
May – October

Highlights

  • Waldensian community since 12th century — oldest Protestant area in Italy
  • Largest talc mines in Europe at Prali and Fontane
  • Glacier-fed torrent completely undeveloped

With your dog

Valley trail; dogs welcome.