El Sabat d'le Erbe

El Sabat d'le Erbe, the spring of Valchiusella

El Sabat d'le Erbe is the iconic spring event in Valchiusella, the alpine valley winding through the Canavese area, in the Province of Turin and the Piedmont region. For an entire day, the village of Traversella transforms into an open-air laboratory where wild herbs, alpine culture, rural traditions, and local products come together to showcase the extraordinary richness of a natural heritage still alive and guarded by local communities.

A tradition of the Club Amici Valchiusella

The event is organized by the Club Amici Valchiusella, an association founded in 1957 that has been safeguarding the valley's traditions and natural resources for over half a century. The dialectal name, which translates to Saturday of the herbs, refers to the historical format of the festival: a series of spring Saturdays dedicated to classic walks to rediscover wild herbs along the trails and terraces of the area.

The 2026 special edition and agricultural biodiversity

The special edition on Saturday, May 16, 2026, is dedicated to agricultural and food biodiversity, organized for the National Day of Agricultural and Food Biodiversity and the International Fascination of Plants Day. The initiative is part of the Progetto Germonte 7, a path toward the creation of a Valchiusella Food Community, and involves local Pro Loco associations, Slow Food, the University of Turin, and local producers.

The day's program

• 10:30 AM – Guided walk along the Ponte Folle, Cevrej, Giacomin, Traversella route, meeting at the Casette delle Erbe, followed by a complimentary aperitif.
• 1:00 PM – Traditional lunch spread throughout the village, with producers, Pro Loco, Slow Food, and the Club Amici Valchiusella.
• Afternoon – Live music with the Quintetto di Issiglio and the ocarina players of Brosso, activities for children with the "Pratum: the agricultural biodiversity game" by the University of Turin, and a meeting on the Progetto Germonte 7.
• 4:30 PM – "The Flavors of Valchiusella", a meeting with free tastings dedicated to local excellence and those who preserve knowledge, crops, medicinal herbs, and mountain production.

A heritage to experience

Between scenic trails, historical terraces, and ancient rural wisdom, El Sabat d'le Erbe is an opportunity to discover the alpine culture of Valchiusella and the identity of a community that continues to protect its herbs, its crops, and its mountains.