The walk
A 10th-century abbey on top of a rock spur at 960 metres. The mule track is the way pilgrims have taken for a thousand years.
From the centre of Sant’Ambrogio the mule track starts behind the church of San Giovanni Vincenzo and climbs through the chestnut wood in wide, stone-paved bends. Halfway up it passes the Cappella di San Pietro, then the wood opens and the Sacra appears overhead, wedged into the rock.
It is 3 km and 500 metres of ascent: an hour and a half at a normal walking pace, with the Val di Susa and the Alps opening out at every bend. At the top, the terrace in front of the Sacra is public and the view costs nothing.
Entry to the abbey costs €8 and is worth every cent: the Scalone dei Morti, the Porta dello Zodiaco, the church. But the climb, the view and the silence are free, always.
The stages
Timings for an unhurried climb, with stops to catch your breath and take photos.
- 0:00 · Sant’AmbrogioStart at the stationFive minutes to the church of San Giovanni Vincenzo: the mule track starts behind the apse, signposted “Sacra”.
- 0:30 · In the chestnut woodThe first bendsStone and roots underfoot, deep shade. This is the steepest stretch: take it slowly.
- 0:55 · Cappella di San PietroFirst sight of the SacraThe little chapel and a bench: from here the abbey shows through the trees.
- 1:25 · The terraceArrival below the wallsThe public viewpoint over the valley and the Alps. Café and toilets open during abbey hours.
- BackWalk down or shuttle busThe same mule track in 1 hour, or the longer surfaced road. On summer weekends there is a shuttle bus from Avigliana.
Getting there
Route on Google MapsSant’Ambrogio is on the Turin–Susa railway: you leave the station and reach the mule track in five minutes.
What to know before you go
Four things regular walkers here take for granted.
Stone and roots underfoot, and steep. In rain or snow the bends turn slippery: poles help.
There is no fountain between Sant’Ambrogio and the top. A litre each in summer.
It closes at lunchtime in the winter months and on Mondays. Check before you set off, if you want to go in: €8 full price.
On October mornings the valley is covered and the Sacra rises out of a sea of cloud: the famous view is there from the mule track.
Around the Sacra
The lower Val di Susa: lakes, small towns and the gateway to the Alps.
Nearby, on Twip
The climb is free. If you want a guided tour of the abbey or a tasting in Avigliana, you book those on Twip.
Frequently asked questions about the climb
The things people ask us before they leave.
Do you have to pay to walk up?
No, the mule track is public. You only pay to go into the abbey: €8 full price, reduced for under 25s and over 65s.
How hard is it?
500 metres of ascent over 3 km: like climbing 150 flights of stairs, taken slowly. An hour and a half for most people.
Can you drive up?
Yes, there is a road up to the terrace, but at weekends the car park fills up. The mule track is the right way.
With children?
From 8–9 years old, if they are used to walking, yes. No pushchairs.
Is there anywhere to eat at the top?
A café with sandwiches, open during the Sacra’s hours. Better to bring something and eat on the terrace.
