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Ciciu del Villar Nature Reserve
Whether you are an expert geologist, simply curious or a child wanting to enter a fairytale world, the Ciciu del Villar Nature Reserve is the right place for you.
A large protected area extending over 64 hectares between 600 and 1,350 m altitude awaits you with a very particular erosion phenomenon: erosion columns.
These earth pyramids located at the foot of Mount San Bernardo are natural morphological sculptures, with a typical giant mushroom shape. The cap consists of an enormous boulder of augen gneiss, while the stem is made of earth and gravel compacted by the weight above. The reserve’s name derives from the Piedmontese terms Ciciu ‘d pera, stone puppet.
The Ciciu del Villar area is, from a naturalistic point of view, an authentic rarity, and not only for its geological peculiarities. In just a few hectares you can discover an enormous variety of fauna and flora. Patience and silence are needed, however, to discover these wonders.
The area is always open and accessible year-round. It is equipped with restrooms and picnic areas. You can book guided tours for schools, groups and individual visitors, tours with lunch at a special rate and organize small events in the Reserve, such as birthday parties and more.
If you prefer to visit the area on your own, you can choose between an educational trail of approximately 45 minutes, a more challenging hiking trail of approximately 2 hours, a fitness trail with 16 stations and an accessible trail.
Special attention is given to schools, with the Circumnavigado Nature Trail and with dedicated worksheets designed for distance learning.
An interesting fact: there are many legends about the origin of the ciciu and several linked to Saint Constanzo. The most famous tells that the saint was fleeing through the woods pursued by Roman soldiers, when he turned toward them shouting: “O incorrigible wicked ones, o wretched ones with hearts of stone! In the name of the true God I curse you. May you become stones as well!” Thus they were immobilized, transformed into stone.
Would you like to walk among geology and legends? The Ciciu await you.
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How to visit the site
For information: +39 327 117 6661 - riservaciciu@vallemaira.org OPENING HOURS: APRIL - MAY - OCTOBER: Thursday to Sunday from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM SEPTEMBER: Wednesday to Sunday from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM JUNE - JULY - AUGUST: every day from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM The entrance fee for 2026 is 4 euros; admission is free for children up to 10 years old, people with disabilities, and their companions. The area is always open and accessible year-round, equipped with restrooms and picnic areas. From April 2 to November 1, the Nature Reserve is managed by ATS Consorzio Valle Maira, Società Walden and Pro Villar.
