Mountain Festival
Nine days of nature, traditions, and flavors in the Orco Valley, at the foot of the Gran Paradiso
About Mountain Festival
The festival celebrating the mountains in the Orco Valley
The Mountain Festival is the annual event that transforms Locana, the largest municipality in the Turin metropolitan area, into a living showcase of alpine traditions. Nestled along the Orco Valley, at the foot of the Gran Paradiso massif and partially within the National Park, Locana provides a natural backdrop for a widespread event that spans nine days, involving the main square, the historic center, and the area's numerous hamlets.
A program that tells the story of mountain life
Organized by the Pro Loco Locana, with the patronage of the Metropolitan City of Turin, this is no ordinary festival: it is a journey into alpine culture featuring book presentations, photography exhibitions dedicated to high-altitude life, mountain choirs, trail running races, traditional games of yesteryear, mountain dinners, and evenings under the stars. Each day has its own theme and location, ranging from the heart of the village to the mountain huts and the highest hamlets.
Flavors, nature, and local heritage
Food and zero-mile products take center stage, with musical aperitifs and gastronomic itineraries along ancient paths that wind through forests and pastures. There is no shortage of moments dedicated to the valley's oral history, such as storytelling in the stables, where legends and mountain tales are passed down to new generations. The Mountain Festival is the perfect opportunity to discover an authentic corner of the alpine Piedmont, far from mass tourism circuits.
How to experience the festival
Events take place in various locations throughout the municipality of Locana, in the province of Turin: the central Piazza Gran Paradiso, the historic center, hamlets such as Pratolungo and Piatour, and the valley's mountain huts. Participation is largely free; some activities, such as dinners and races, require registration or booking. It is an ideal event for families, hikers, and enthusiasts of alpine traditions.
Mountain Festival — edition 2026
The 15th edition of the Mountain Festival in Locana brought the Orco Valley to life from May 29 to June 6, 2026, under the patronage of the Metropolitan City of Turin and organized by the Pro Loco Locana. Nine days dedicated to nature, alpine traditions, culture, flavors, and music of the Gran Paradiso territory, with events distributed between the square, the historic center, and the municipality's hamlets.
Among the most anticipated moments were the third edition of the Verticalma race, the Degustando gastronomic itinerary, and the evocative stargazing evening at the Carello refuge, as well as the storytelling in the stables in the Piatour hamlet.
Programme Mountain Festival 2026
Friday, May 29
- 6:00 PM — Presentation of the book "Un cuore in vetta" by Milena Béthaz, in the village square.
- In the afternoon: inauguration of the photography exhibition "In quota tra giorno e notte", curated by Simone Berra with photographs by Riccardo Conti and the participation of the Gran Paradiso Choir.
Saturday, May 30
- 3:00 PM — Verticalma (3rd edition): competitive 6 km mountain running race with 1,150 m elevation gain, along the forest path towards Alpe Cialma, starting from the Pratolungo hamlet.
- Followed by: awards ceremony, dinner, and musical entertainment.
Sunday, May 31
- 6:00 PM, Piazza Gran Paradiso — Musical aperitif with tastings of products from local farmers and the event "Le nostre erbe in miscelazione", with entertainment by the group Antonella e la Star Band.
Monday, June 1
- 2:00 PM — "Giocarellando": traditional games of yesteryear for adults and children, handcrafted, in the historic center.
- Event "Fili di vita: storie di montagna".
- 8:00 PM, Carello refuge — Mountain dinner and astronomical observation with the Alpette Astronomical Observatory.
Tuesday, June 2
- From morning to evening — "Degustando": gastronomic itinerary on ancient paths amidst nature, flavors, and zero-mile local products.
Saturday, June 6
- 6:00 PM, Piatour hamlet — "I Racconti nelle Stalle - l'cunte 'n t'le stalle", between myth and legend, curated by Wilma and Ivo, with the inauguration of a new viewpoint.
Highlights Mountain Festival 2026
Prices Mountain Festival 2026
Practical information — Mountain Festival
Where
Locana (TO), Orco Valley, at the foot of the Gran Paradiso. Events take place in Piazza Gran Paradiso, the historic center, the hamlets (Pratolungo, Piatour), and the valley's mountain huts.
How to get there
Locana is about 62 km north of Turin, accessible by car along the Orco Valley road (SP460). We recommend using a car, given the widespread nature of the event across the village and its hamlets.
Information and contacts
Pro Loco Locana APS — tel. +39 349 5905900, e-mail [email protected]. Tourist office: [email protected].
Prices
Many events offer free admission. Dinners, races, and some activities may require registration or booking: please check the details with the Pro Loco.
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Where does it take place — Mountain Festival
Piazza Gran Paradiso e borgate di Locana