Dahu Snowshoe Hike

A snowshoe hike for everyone in the heart of Val Chisone

The Dahu Snowshoe Hike is one of the most popular winter excursions in the upper Val Chisone, organized by the G.S.R. Castel del Bosco in the town of Roure, in the province of Turin, Piedmont. This is not a race, but a non-competitive snowshoe walk designed to share a day in the snow within a stunning alpine landscape.

The route covers approximately 5 kilometers, starting from Castel del Bosco (759 meters above sea level) and climbing to the village of Garnier (1250 meters), with an elevation gain of about 500 meters. The trail is accessible to all ages: it can be tackled with snowshoes or, when conditions allow, even with sturdy hiking boots. Those without equipment can usually rent snowshoes on-site.

Who is the Dahu?

The event's name pays homage to the Dahu, a legendary creature of alpine folklore. According to popular tradition, it is a mountain animal with legs of different lengths, shorter on one side to walk comfortably along slopes. Legend has it that to catch one, you simply had to call out from behind: curious, the Dahu would turn around, and finding its short legs on the downhill side, it would tumble down. This playful figure from mountain lore gives the day its fun, family-friendly atmosphere, turning the hike into a lighthearted Dahu hunt along the snowy trails.

The tradition of polenta at the summit

The most anticipated moment is the arrival in Garnier, where participants are greeted with a breathtaking view of the valley's mountains and, most importantly, the famous polenta and sausage served indoors. It is the convivial heart of the event: a time to gather, warm up, and share a traditional alpine meal after the climb.

A local event

The Dahu Snowshoe Hike is part of the event calendar of the G.S.R. Castel del Bosco, a recreational sports group active for over forty years in the Roure area. It is an event that combines gentle winter mountain sports with the promotion of the villages in the upper Val Chisone, set in a pristine natural environment that turns into a winter wonderland. It is the perfect opportunity to discover this corner of Piedmont away from crowded ski slopes, immersed in the quiet of snowy woods and slopes.