5 Mountain Villages in the Upper Val di Susa That Will Steal Your Heart

Val di Susa, between Piedmont and the French border, is full of tourist and cultural sites. Scattered across the area are charming mountain villages, archaeological sites, historic monuments, scenic nature trails, and ancient abbeys, most famously the Sacra di San Michele, just a short drive from Turin. 

The Upper Val di Susa is so rich in sights and experiences that it deserves to be explored slowly, village by village, to fully appreciate its history, landscapes, and Italian Alpine atmosphere. We’ve done just that and selected 5 unmissable mountain villages in Upper Val di Susa to visit year-round.

With genuine alpine charm, spectacular landscapes, and memorable experiences, the Upper Val di Susa in northern Italy is a destination that doesn't let you down. 

This stunning valley near Turin is home to some of Italy's most beautiful mountain villages, world-class ski resorts, and lovely hidden hamlets. 

Everywhere you go, there is always something for adventure seekers or travellers who simply want to enjoy life’s pleasures.

We have explored 5 of the most captivating mountain villages in the Upper Val di Susa, perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer alpine escape. These destinations will steal your heart.

Featured mountain villages in Upper Val di Susa:

– Sestriere – The highest municipality in Italy, a top destination for skiing and international winter sports events.

– Claviere – A peaceful village on the Italy-France border, famous for its Tibetan bridge and natural scenery.

– Bardonecchia – A renowned alpine resort surrounded by spectacular peaks and part of the Via Lattea ski area.

– Oulx – A charming and lesser-known area crossed by ancient routes like the Path of the Franks.

– Exilles – The medieval village whose castle once held the legendary Man in the Iron Mask.

Sestriere is the municipality with the highest altitude in Italy (2035 m a.s.l.). Being close to many alpine passes, it has always been a point of passage between Italy and France. This fact has led to the development of various commercial, cultural, and religious influences over several centuries. 

Just think of the Via Francigena, travelled by medieval pilgrims on their way to the East. Nowadays, Sestriere has a very high tourist offer, especially linked to sports. 

The Alpine Ski World Cup regularly takes place in the local ski resort. In 2006, it was even chosen to host the men’s alpine ski races during the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Turin.

– How to get to Sestrere - Oulx-Cesana-Claviere-Sestriere is the nearest railway hub, with regular bus connections and taxis to Sestriere (around 30–40 minutes).

Claviere is located right on the border with France, serving as a junction point between the two countries. The village lies in a valley dominated by the Chaberton massif.

It is the perfect place to enjoy the typical serenity of the vast snow-covered fields. But alternatively, you can play golf or visit the nature trails along the beautiful waterways. One of these paths also hosts the Tibetan Bridge of Claviere, among the world's longest suspension bridges at 544 meters. 

– How to get to Claviere: train from Turin to Oulx-Cesana-Claviere-Sestriere station, then continue by bus or taxi.

Bardonecchia is a very small centre, but very famous because of its tourist offer.

It holds some of the most evocative views of the entire western Alps and is surrounded by a series of beautiful mountains. You can easily reach the most famous peaks, such as the Guglia Rossa (Red Spire), the Val Fredda and the Tre Croci (Three Crosses). 

But the main attraction, once again, is the international ski resort. It is the same one that also serves the centres of Claviere and Sestriere, where part of the Winter Olympic Games of 2006 took place, and it is called, just like our galaxy, Via Lattea.

– How to get to Bardonecchia: direct trains from Turin stop in Bardonecchia.

The municipality of Oulx, one of the most important in the area, comprises almost 20 hamlets, most of which have French names. Among these is also Gad, a tiny village at the lower end of the valley. 

It has a charming old town, well-restored, which offers very suggestive views. This place is crossed by the Path of the Franks, a 60 km-long route, linked, according to legend, to the passage of the ancient army of Charlemagne, today very popular with visitors. 

If you are nearby, do not forget to try the local cuisine! Have a stop at La Casetta del Gad a famous traditional trattoria with a tasty menu typical of the mountains. Refresh yourself with a good dish or spend the night in its warm rooms, to continue your tour with the right energy!

– How to get to Oulx: served directly by the main train line from Turin.

Exilles is a medieval postcard set high in the Upper Val di Susa. 

This atmospheric mountain village in northern Italy has kept its original layout almost perfectly intact, with covered passages (cour), cobbled alleys and stone houses topped with traditional slate roofs. 

Towering above it all is the imposing Fort of Exilles, a massive stronghold that was, between 1681 and 1687, a prison for the mysterious Man in the Iron Mask, later immortalised by Alexandre Dumas.

Visit in September to catch ExillesCittà: the town rewinds to the 1900s with costumed locals, historic workshops, and events throughout the streets and fortress.

– How to get to Exilles: train to Chiomonte, Oulx, or Susa stations, then continue by bus line 286.

Val di Susa is a long alpine valley running from Turin right up to the French border, flanked by the dramatic peaks of the Western Alps: Rocciamelone, Monte Musinè, Monte Orsiera (2,890 m), and Monte Rocciavrè.

The Upper Val di Susa is its higher part, with elevations from 700 to over 3,000 metres. It’s filled with small mountain villages perched on the slopes, historic forts watching over the meadows, and alpine pastures that look like they belong on a postcard.

There is room for hiking, skiing, or wandering cultural trails, all while taking in authentic Italian mountain life.

Related story – A week in Piedmont 

Cycling routes, panoramic trails, ancient abbeys, outdoor activities: here’s a list of top experiences and things to do in Susa Valley if you’re unsure how to plan your itinerary.

1. Tour of historic villages in Susa Valley: some of the most beautiful villages are easily accessible via the Via Francigena cycle route, where you ride with the breathtaking views of the Alps.

2. Scenic hikes: Sentiero dei Principi leads to the Sacra di San Michele (Saint Michael's Abbey) , the abbey that inspired Umberto Eco’s bestseller In the Name of the Rose. The trail to Mont Chaberton, home to Europe’s highest military fort at over 3,000 metres, offers amazing views. Romantic bike rides or walks around the Lakes of Avigliana.

3. The Novalesa Abbey: set in a stunning natural landscape of forests, waterfalls and snow-capped peaks, the ancient Benedictine abbey is a treasure chest containing 1,300 years of history.

4. Gran Pertus: a 400-metre tunnel hand-carved by a single man to carry water to higher ground.

5. Roman tour in Susa: the town boasts the Arch of Augustus, set in a surreal setting surrounded by mountains rising to 3,000 metres. Also featured: the ruins of the ancient castrum, the aqueduct, the amphitheatre, and the remains of the forum temple.

6. Prehistory Laboratory Museum in Vaie: Susa Valley’s distant past through artefacts that are over 5,000 years old. 

7. Outdoor activities and sports: the valley is great for trekking, mountain biking, and climbing. Highlights include the via ferrata routes at Orrido di Foresto and Saint Michael's Abbey. In winter, the Susa Valley area offers over 600 km of pistes for skiing and other winter sports.

Getting from Turin to the Susa Valley is easy and relatively quick. Here are some options:

By car: take the A32 Turin–Bardonecchia/Fréjus motorway westbound. The motorway runs through the entire valley. Under normal traffic conditions, the drive from Turin to the Susa valley takes about 1–1.5 hours.

By train: frequent trains run from Turin to the Susa Valley, roughly one per hour, reduced to one every two hours on Sundays and public holidays. Trains stop at several key locations across the valley, including Susa, Salbertrand, Oulx–Cesana–Claviere–Sestriere, and Bardonecchia.

By Bus: SADEM and GTT lines link  the main towns in the Susa Valley.