Claviere: Slopes, Nature Trails and Local History

Claviere combines cross-border winter sports with nature trails, mountain history and local cultural themes. This means the destination can bring together different travel interests: anyone choosing a hotel in Claviere can focus on slopes, hikes, cycling tours or insights into history.

Winter Sports Across the Border

The ski lifts and slopes of Claviere are connected to the more than 300 kilometres of slopes in the Via Lattea ski area. Experienced skiers and snowboarders can reach the French slopes of Montgenèvre from Claviere and return to Italy via the challenging and scenic Colletto Verde slope. Near the Italian-French border in the direction of Montgenèvre, Claviere offers three cross-country ski trails with a total length of 10 kilometres. There are also ski touring routes of varying lengths and elevation gains; the ascent of Monte Chaberton is one of the classic ski tours that can be undertaken from Claviere.

Bridges, Rivers and Mountain Trails

Even away from winter sports, nature trails lead from Claviere along the Rio Secco, the Piccola Dora and the Rio Gimont, and can be explored on foot or by bicycle. A route through the Gorge di San Gervasio consists of a series of three suspension bridges. The Ponte tibetano di Cesana Claviere suspension bridge is 544 metres long and runs approximately 30 metres above the ground. The third bridge on the route can alternatively be reached via a via ferrata. The classic hike to Monte Chaberton leads to the ruins of an Italian fortification.

Forest, Wildlife and Golf

The forest of Claviere consists mainly of pine and larch trees. Wildlife includes marmots, roe deer, chamois, squirrels, deer, foxes, hares and eagles. Golf Club di Claviere has a nine-hole course that, during certain periods, can be extended to an 18-hole course through an agreement with the neighbouring course in Montgenèvre.

Culture and History in Claviere

La Gigliaffa is a house museum in Claviere featuring theatre posters, paintings, repertoire photographs, a library, costumes and stage objects. At La Gigliaffa, Emanuele Giglio performs, improvises and recites parts of his repertoire, accompanied by the singing of Monica Griffa. The traditional costume of Claviere included wide skirts, colourful silk scarves, lace-trimmed bonnets and a necklace with a cross or a heart. Pope Pius VI stayed in the San Gervasio chapel in 1799. The chapel was destroyed in 1940 and rebuilt in 1975. An exhibition about Monte Chaberton tells the history of the mountain through its geology and the people who lived there. The first examination for ski instructors in Italy took place in 1932.

Getting There via Oulx and Turin

From Turin, take the A32 Turin–Bardonecchia–Fréjus motorway towards Fréjus. At the Sestriere–Sauze d’Oulx–Monginevro exit, continue on the SS 24 del Monginevro towards Claviere.

Find more travel ideas at Pralormo, Maglione, None Turin, Caselette, Vestignè, Romano Canavese, Villareggia and Busano.

For the higher-level travel overview: Turin.