Piasco

Piasco is a small town in Piedmont, in the province of Cuneo, sitting at the entrance to the Varaita Valley, one of the Occitan valleys reaching into the Cottian Alps. The area, crossed by the Varaita river, has a strong agricultural character, particularly apple orchards that define the surrounding plain. The town lies close to Saluzzo, a historic town known for its medieval centre, and is only around thirty kilometres from Cuneo, the provincial capital. The setting remains rural and quiet, better suited to nature-based tourism than mass visitor numbers. The Varaita Valley, beginning not far from Piasco, gives access to mountain villages, hiking trails and resorts such as Sampeyre or Pontechianale further upstream. The climate is continental with alpine influences, bringing moderately warm summers and cold winters, favourable for winter activities higher up the valley. Piasco makes for a peaceful stay, positioned between farmland and the gateway to the Piedmont Alps, ideal for those looking for a base to explore the mountains without straying far from the conveniences of the plain.