The Project

Discovering the Apple Trail: a local initiative

The Pinerolo Apple Route is not merely a route, but a living narrative of one of Piedmont’s most fertile and fascinating agricultural districts. The project was conceived to showcase an area that has made fruit growing its very identity: 150 kilometres of roads connecting 14 municipalities, united by the aim of promoting sustainable, authentic local tourism capable of rejuvenating those who travel along it.

Here, nature is not merely a backdrop, but the star of the show. Those who travel along the Pinerolo Apple Route are treated to a sensory experience that changes with the seasons: the intense scent of apple must in autumn, the starkness of ploughed fields in winter, and the burst of blossoms heralding spring.

A paradise for cycle tourism

The beauty of this region lies in its versatility. The Pinerolo Apple Route has been designed to be enjoyed at your own pace: along the signposted roads connecting all the participating towns, you can cycle safely alongside the orchards. It is an invitation to silence: to listen to the sound of the spinning wheel and the seasonal sounds of the countryside, from the work of the pruners to the chatter of the harvest.

An ever-changing landscape

Accessible all year round – with the possible exception of the flat section during the hottest months – the Pinerolo Apple Route passes through three distinct areas. The plain south of Pinerolo (Osasco, Macello, Garzigliana, Campiglione Fenile), where the Rocca di Cavour stands out; the hilly area of Bricherasio and San Secondo di Pinerolo; and finally the foothills of Prarostino, where the orchards give way to beech and chestnut woods and ‘heroic’ vineyards.

Culture, history and locally sourced flavours

The Pinerolo Apple Route is also a journey into human memory. Every bend reveals a piece of history: from the little gems of country chapels to the great thousand-year-old abbeys, from the ruins of ancient castles to the elegant historic mansions that can still be visited today.

At the heart of it all lies the produce. Over 100 fruit growers open their doors for direct sales, creating a short supply chain that guarantees freshness and authenticity. Here you can sample the clear juices, cider and spirits made from more than 40 ancient apple varieties – little treasures of biodiversity that our farmers proudly safeguard.

A region that comes alive all year round

There’s never a wrong time to cycle the Pinerole Apple Route. The calendar is dotted with events of national significance and local festivals that attract thousands of visitors:

  • Tuttomele© in Cavour and the Fiera dei Santi in Luserna S.G. for autumnal flavours
  • The biennial re-enactment of the Iron Mask in Pinerolo for history lovers.
  • The Grape Festivals in Bricherasio and Prarostino to celebrate the grape harvest

Rounding off the experience is a network of farm stays and accommodation providers ready to turn your visit into an unforgettable stay.