PRADLEVES, VALLE GRANA
THE TRAIL OF LEGENDS: GRANA VALLEY
MUNICIPALITY OF PRADLEVES
13,k km
Pradleves is a land of legends: tales of evil ogres, men of incredible strength, evil sorceresses, benevolent sylvan women, foolish wolves and cunning foxes crowd the popular narrative of this small alpine village, the only one in the Grana Valley where a true witch-hunting episode was recorded in the late 17th century. The people of Pradleves are also known as 'dragon slayers', the only ones in the entire valley capable of putting an end to the terrible anguish of the powerful dragon of Valchiusa.
Please note that itineraries may include roads where motor vehicles are allowed. Authors and trail testers are not responsible for the information contained.
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The Sentiero delle Leggende (Trail of Legends) celebrates the rich intangible heritage of a community in the form of stories handed down from generation to generation, and offers a unique opportunity to enjoy the views of the Grana Valley and a setting of dense forests, meadows, country chapels, caves and art installations.
The symbol chosen to identify the trail is the Xylocopa violacea, the carpenter bee, known here as the boumboun nìer, a solitary bee, up to 3-4 centimetres long, with an iridescent black-purple body. Pradleves' most famous witch, Mascho Brardo, is said to have turned herself into this strange animal. The woman would turn into this creature and fly far away to perform her evil deeds.
The excursion is an itinerary of great naturalistic value and with a strong ethnographic and anthropological charm. Hamlets, geological phenomena, rock masses, and sites of community importance enrich the route. Its 13.5 kilometres and 700 metres of total elevation gain also make it appeal to those who enjoy somewhat more demanding hikes. Various early return options allow you to modulate your commitment, without losing the taste for discovery.