Parco del Meisino and Po-Stura Confluence Walk

Parco del Meisino is a protected river-forest reserve in the north-east of Turin, in Piedmont, Italy, where the Po meets the Stura di Lanzo. The walk starts near the Sassi cemetery car park off the Strada Comunale di Superga area, 10132 Turin, and is reached by tram 15 or a GTT bus to Sassi followed by a short walk to the park entrance. Entry is free and no permit is required. Parking at the cemetery car park is possible for those arriving by car. The circuit described here is about 5 km, takes roughly 1.5 hours at an easy pace, and is essentially flat with under 30 m of total ascent, which makes it suitable for first-time walkers and families. Surfaces are a mix of grassy and gravel embankment tracks and packed dirt paths through riverside woodland; after rain some low sections can be muddy. Shade is plentiful under poplar and willow woodland, although the embankments themselves are open and sunny. There is no technical difficulty and no exposure beyond the river edge. Key features are the confluence of the Po and the Stura, the embankment views across to the Turin hills, and the wetland and woodland habitats that attract herons, waterfowl and other birds, so binoculars are useful. Visitors can turn around at any point because the paths are simple out-and-back or loop options, and the park is bounded by the river on one side and the road on the other, which makes finding the way back straightforward. There are no refuge huts, and no reliable drinking points are known along the paths, so water should be carried. Mosquitoes can be a nuisance in warm months, so repellent is advisable in summer. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for birdlife and mild temperatures, while summer visits are best kept to the morning. Details of the park and nearby outdoor activities are listed on the Turismo Torino website.