Piedmont Challenge
Hiking the High Trails

Our adventure begins bright and early at 09:00, when we pick you up and head towards the mountains. Our first stop is the remarkable Filatoio di Caraglio, a castle-like structure and the oldest silk manufacturing complex in Europe, dating back to 1676-1678. Recently restored, this beautiful mill offers a fascinating glimpse into the past. We’ll enjoy a private 1-hour tour before continuing deeper into the valley. As we drive, the road narrows, winding alongside the rushing waters of the Maira River. A sharp turn takes us up a steep incline to the "Locanda del Silenzio," the first of three exquisite family-run boutique hotels we'll stay at this week. From this charming mountain inn, we’ll embark on an easy hike, giving you your first taste of the stone villages nestled into the steep valley sides and the towering mountain peaks nearby. The gentle path leads us to a lovely trattoria where we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch. Afterward, we’ll hike back uphill to the Locanda where you can relax and enjoy the splendid view from the garden, or embark on a thrilling loop hike that takes you along the clifftops that overlook the village. Before dinner, we’ll unwind with a casual wine tasting, introducing you to some of the superb local wines you'll be savoring throughout the week. We’ll then enjoy a delightful dinner in the inn’s cozy flagstone courtyard. Overnight Locanda del Silenzio. The Hike: 8.5 km / 5.3 miles  Elevation gain/loss: 400m / 1,312 ft  Duration  2h15m Optional afternoon loop hike 3.6 kms/2.3 miles, Elevation gain/loss: 440 meters/1,400 feet. Duration 1.5 - 2 hours. Included: Hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

After a hearty breakfast, we’ll take a short 25-minute van ride to the starting point of our hike. We’ll step into a lush forest of beech and oak, where the path leads us to a forgotten stone village slowly being reclaimed by nature. Abandoned just a half-century ago, this village of sturdy stone houses, wooden balconies, and slate roofs stands resilient against time. The remnants of life here are hauntingly beautiful—a stack of firewood ready for winter, a wooden crib on a balcony, and a single old leather boot beside an empty wine bottle. What stories could these relics tell? Leaving the woods behind, we’ll emerge into open pastures with stunning views of sharply etched valleys and distant mountains. Our hike will bring us to a village that’s been revitalized by visionary souls who’ve breathed new life into old homes, barns, and mills. We’ll enjoy a delicious lunch in a cozy, recently revived Locanda. Afterward, the trail winds mostly downhill, passing a charming frescoed chapel and another picturesque, flower-filled stone hamlet. We’ll return to the tranquil Locanda di Silenzio to unwind and take in the mountain views before indulging in another delightful dinner. Overnight: Locanda del Silenzio. The Hike: 10 km / 6.2 miles  Elevation gain/loss: 650m / 2,080 ft  Duration  4 hrs. Included: Hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Our hike begins with a 15-minute van transfer to the trailhead. From there, we embark on a steady ascent up a century-old stone-paved military road, leading us to a high plateau with breathtaking panoramic views. To our left, the jagged peak and serrated flanks of Rocca di Mieja dominate the landscape. True to its name—Rocca, meaning fortress in Italian—this mountain stands as a formidable natural stronghold. We circumnavigate the mountain to take in its full grandeur. Along the way you will encounter whistling marmots and pass long-abandoned bunkers from a less enlightened era. We’ll navigate a tricky rock fall before making the final climb to the day’s high point, where endless peaks punctuate the horizon. The last leg of our hike follows a picturesque alpine stream, guiding us back to the van for our return. A short 30-minute van transfer will take us to your home for the next two nights, the family-run Locanda Lou Pitavin. This charming retreat, established 25 years ago in a beautifully renovated stone hamlet, offers comfort, exquisite cuisine, and breathtaking scenery. Tonight, dinner will be served on the terrace (weather permitting) or inside the ancient stone barn, stylishly repurposed for an unforgettable dining experience. Overnight: Locanda Lou Pitavin.  The Hike: 18.5 km /12 miles  Elevation gain/loss: 1,030m / 3’300 feet Duration  6 hrs. Included: Hotel, breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner.  

We have an epic hike for you today. You will ascend a switchback trail through a larch forest to emerge high above a shimmering emerald lake. A striking pyramid-shaped mountain serves as a spectacular backdrop. The trail leads you through a lush landscape of alpine pastures encircled by towering peaks. One more climb reveals another pristine lake, this time high above the tree line, that offers sweeping views of the peaks that surround you. As You continue, the hike takes you across a high plateau adorned with cheerful wildflowers that dance in the wind. You will climb up to a ridgeline, where you’ll literally walk along the frontier between France and Italy—one foot in each country! A well-earned picnic lunch is enjoyed, sheltered from the wind by a WWII-era Italian bunker. After lunch, a gradual descent along winding paths and a cobbled military road brings us back to the valley. Overnight: Locanda Lou Pitavin. The Hike: 14.5 kms/8.3 miles. Elevation gain and loss: 1,010m / 3,230 feet. Duration: 6 hours.  Included: Hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  

Today’s adventure is a perfect contrast to our previous Alpine hikes, offering an immersive experience in the charming villages and *borghi* of the Valle di Maira. Our hike takes us through the picturesque *borghi* of Stroppo, where stone houses with slate roofs line narrow cobblestone streets, and church spires rise above the rustic rooftops. The trail meanders through quaint villages, each with its own unique charm, offering stunning views of the valley and surrounding peaks. We’ll enjoy a fabulous lunch at the rustic Locanda Al Torch, where traditional dishes are served in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. The hike concludes at the beautiful Locanda Codirosso, where you can unwind with a cold beer or a glass of wine as you take in the tranquil surroundings. After your hike, you’ll settle into the charming Le Colonne resort, where you can relax in the sauna or indulge in a soothing massage. With just ten rooms, Le Colonne provides an intimate, cozy atmosphere. Sip an aperitivo on the grassy terrace, then head to the warm, log-paneled dining room, where Chef Alessandro will craft yet another unforgettable culinary experience. Overnight: Resort Le Colonne - Elva.  The Hike: 11.4 kms/7.1 miles. Elevation gain and loss: 815m / 2,608 feet. Duration: 4 hours.  Included: Hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

After a delightful breakfast, we’ll take a short 20-minute van ride to the Colle di Sampeyre, one of Europe’s highest paved roads at 2,284 meters. This scenic pass, featured twice in the Giro d’Italia, offers stunning views, including the iconic Monviso peak to the north, the inspiration for the Paramount Film logo. Today, weather permitting, you’ll have the thrill of summiting “Pelvo Elva,” climbing to an impressive 3,064 meters (9,804 feet). The trail is non-technical, though a bit of bouldering near the top requires careful foot placement. From the summit, you’ll be rewarded with a 360-degree panorama, including the imposing Monviso, and the Vairata and Maira valleys below. We’ll retrace our steps for a scenic picnic lunch by a high alpine lake before heading back to the trailhead. Before returning to the hotel, we’ll make a brief detour to the Fremo Cuncuna lookout, a dramatic rock outcropping that juts spectacularly 1,000 meters above the valley floor. How close you get to the edge depends on your comfort level with heights, but even from a distance, the view is awe-inspiring. This is a fitting finale to our hikes in the Valle Maira, as you’ll take in the lush beech forest coating the hillsides, the Maira River winding below, the impressive peaks of the Piedmont Alps, and the charming stone villages that define this region’s unique character. We’ll return to Le Colonne to celebrate a week of unforgettable exploration, exquisite food and wine, and the warm, genuine hospitality that makes the Maira Valley so special. Overnight: Resort Le Colonne - Elva.  The Hike: 15.8 kms/10 miles, Elevation gain/loss 1,073 meters/3,433 feet Duration 6 hours. Included: Hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

We will depart from Elva at 08:15 to arrive at the Cuneo train station in time for the 10:12 train to Torino. From there, you may transfer to another train, arriving at Torino airport by 12:26. If you're flying out from Torino on this day, please book a flight that departs no earlier than 14:30. If you're continuing your travels in Italy, you’ll find numerous train connections available. Travel time to Milan is approximately three hours. Breakfast and one group transfer included.