Piedmont Peaks and Valleys

We begin our adventure by picking you up at 09:00 and heading towards the mountains. Our first stop is the impressive Filatoio di Caraglio, a castle-like structure and the oldest silk manufacturing complex in Europe, built between 1676 and 1678. Recently restored, this beautiful mill offers a glimpse into the past. We'll enjoy a private 1-hour tour before continuing our journey into the valley.

As we drive, the road narrows, following the rushing waters of the Maira River. A sharp right-hand turn takes us up a steep incline to the "Locanda del Silenzio," the first of three exquisite family-run boutique hotels we'll experience this week. From our charming mountain inn, we'll set out on an easy hike, offering your first views of the stone villages that dot the steep valley sides and the towering mountain peaks that are in the near distance. The gentle path leads us to a lovely trattoria for a delicious lunch.

Afterward, we'll hike uphill back to the Locanda, but don't worry—it's not far. Alternatively, you can relax in the village, and your guide will return in about 90 minutes to pick you up. Before dinner, we'll enjoy a low-key wine tasting, introducing you to some of the superb wines you'll encounter throughout the week. We'll then savor 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  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. As we step into a lush green forest of beech and oak, 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 with wooden balconies and slate roofs still stands resilient against time. The remnants of life here are hauntingly beautiful—a stack of firewood ready for winter, a wooden crib left 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 emerge into open pastures with stunning views of sharply etched valleys and distant mountains. Our hike brings us to a village that has been brought back from the brink of oblivion by visionary souls who’ve brought new life to old homes, barns, and mills. We’ll enjoy a delicious lunch in a cozy, recently revived Locanda. 

Afterward, our trail winds mostly downhill, taking us past a charming frescoed chapel and another picturesque, flower-filled stone hamlet. We’ll return to the peaceful Locanda di Silenzio to unwind and savor the view from the garden before indulging in another delicious dinner.

Overnight: Locanda del Silenzio. The Hike: 8.1 km / 5 miles  Elevation gain/loss: 514m / 1,644 ft  Duration  3.5 hrs. Included: Hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  

We have created a high Alpine experience for you today, without the pain of slogging uphill for hours! We'll take you high above the tree line in the van to the trailhead, where sweeping views of impressive peaks surround you. Your hike follows a broad ridgeline that undulates before descending to a charming alpine hut, perfect for a late-morning cappuccino. Don't miss their homemade blueberry cake, made with wild berries picked from nearby meadows—it's a treat you won't forget. Afterward, you'll have a climb back up to our van, or you can relax in the deck chairs outside the hut and soak up the scenery before being picked up a little later. A short 5 km van transfer along a stunning one-lane mountain road brings us to a “Caseificio” (cheese factory) where Giorgio and Andrea, a father-son duo, have revived the once abandoned family farm. They have twice won “Best Mountain Cheese in Italy” at the Italian Cheese Awards, testament to their dedication to preserving the unique “Castelmango” cheese and saving it from standardization. In their recently opened restaurant next to the farm you’ll get to sample various types and ages of this exceptional cheese. The restaurant offers a menu of time-honored dishes from the valleys and the Castelmagno gnocchi are an absolute must-try. After lunch, you can either take an easy downhill hike directly to the hotel or skip the hike and arrive by van. Our home for the next two nights is the family-run Locanda Lou Pitavin, a charming retreat established 25 years ago in a beautifully renovated stone hamlet. Here you will enjoy comfort, exquisite cuisine, and sublime scenery. Dinner will be served tonight on the terrace (weather permitting) or in the ancient stone barn, which has been stylishly repurposed for a memorable dining experience. 

Overnight: Locanda Lou Pitavin.  The Morning Loop Hike: 4 km /2.5 miles  Elevation gain/loss: 200m / 660 feet Duration  1.5 hrs. The Afternoon Hike: 2.3 km/1.4 miles. Elevation loss 260m /830 feet  Duration: 45 minutes. Included: Hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

Today's hike takes you on a journey through the valley's rich history, as you explore trails and roads that have been used for centuries. You'll trek from village to hamlet to farmhouse, winding through dense beech forests that eventually give way to sweeping vistas and cobbled lanes in tiny, picturesque hamlets. Lunch is served in a beautifully restored home, where afterward, our host will invite you into her workshop for a hands-on experience in basket weaving. This once-essential skill is both fascinating and meditative, allowing you to reconnect with natural materials and gain insight into the lives of past generations. If you’re skillful, you might even walk away with a beautiful handmade souvenir! A short, tranquil hike along a babbling brook will lead you back to the serene oasis of Lou Pitavin. The day concludes with a delightful dinner at Lou Pitavin, where you can relax and savor the flavors of the region.

Overnight: Locanda Lou Pitavin.  The Hike: 8.9 kms/5.6 miles. Elevation gain and loss: 530m / 1,700 feet. Duration: 3.5 hours.  Included: Hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  

This morning, we head to the opposite side of the valley to Elva, one of the highest villages in Western Europe. Perched at 1,500 meters (4,800 feet), Elva offers breathtaking views of towering peaks that soar over 3,300 meters (10,500 feet). Before setting off on your hike, you can enjoy a mid-morning coffee stop and a fortifying homemade piece of “crostata” before hitting the trail. The hike is a loop that takes you along a narrow dirt road clinging to the mountainside, offering stunning vistas at every turn. You'll pass by isolated, crumbling stone farmhouses before the trail loops back along a tiny road connecting remote hamlets and farms to the village of Elva. Throughout the hike, you'll be treated to sweeping views of the rugged hillsides and lofty mountains that have kept this tranquil area untouched by mass tourism. After your hike, you'll check into the charming Le Colonne resort, where you can unwind in the sauna or indulge in a relaxing massage. With only ten rooms, Le Colonne has an intimate, homey atmosphere. Enjoy an aperitivo on the grassy terrace before moving into the cozy log-paneled dining room, where Chef Alessandro will work his culinary magic to create another memorable dining experience.

Overnight: Resort Le Colonne - Elva.  The Hike: 8.9 kms/5.6 miles. Elevation gain and loss: 530m / 1,700 feet. Duration: 3.5 hours.  Included: Hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

After a delightful breakfast, we’ll take a 20-minute van ride to the Colle di Sampeyre, one of the highest paved roads in Europe at 2,284 meters. This scenic pass has twice been featured in the Giro d’Italia. To the north, the peak of Monviso, the inspiration for the Paramount Film logo, rises majestically—a craggy, often snow-capped beacon. Today, you’ll have the satisfaction of summiting. While the hike isn’t technically or even physically too challenging, climbing a peak and standing at 2,510 meters (8,032 feet) is always rewarding. After savoring the views from the summit, we’ll retrace our steps and descend along a narrow road to lunch at Rifugio Meira Garneri, which sits above the Varaita Valley. After lunch, a short van transfer brings us to the start of an easy hike to the Fremo Cuncuna lookout, a dramatic rock outcropping that juts out spectacularly above the valley floor, 1,000 meters below. Your level of vertigo will decide how close you get to the edge!!!, but even from afar, the view is breathtaking. This is a fitting finale to our hikes in the Valle Maira, as your eyes will take in the lush beech forest that coats the hillside, the Maira River, the impressive peaks of the Piedmont Alps, and the charming stone villages that make this region so unique. We’ll return to Le Colonne to celebrate a week of unforgettable exploration, exquisite food and wine, and the warm, genuine hospitality we’ve experienced in the Maira Valley.

Overnight: Resort Le Colonne - Elva.  The Morning Hike:  5.3 kms/3.3 miles:  up and back Monte Nebin. Elevation gain/loss 310m / 990 feet.  Duration 2 hr. Then from Colle di Sampeyre down to Rifugio Meira Garnieri  5.8 kms / 3.6 miles  Elevation loss 447 m / 1,430 feet descent on a small paved road. Duration 1 hr 15 mins. Total morning hike: 11.1 kms 310 up and 750 down. The Afternoon hike: 1.6 km / 1 mile Elevation gain/loss 110 m / 330 feet. Duration 50 minutes. Included: Hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  

08:15 departure from Elva to arrive at the Cuneo train station in time for the 10:12 train to Torino. From Torino, you can transfer to another train and arrive at Torino airport by 12:26. If you're flying out from Torino today, please book a flight that departs after 14:30. If you wish to continue your travels in Italy, numerous trains connect through Torino to all other destinations in Italy. From Torino, it takes three hours to get to Milan. Breakfast and one group transfer included. 

Breakfast and one group transfer included.

Please note: Some details of the itinerary may change according to the departure date of your tour. Whenever we run a tour, we make discoveries. Sometimes they are good discoveries, like a wonderful new trattoria, and sometimes bad, like a trail has been washed away. Therefore, we sometimes change our itinerary to improve it by adding wonderful new elements or by removing something that does not work anymore. Rest assured; we always aim to provide you with the best possible experience. We will advise you of any changes to the original itinerary before departure.

Getting to the start of the tour: The most convenient airport for the start of the trip is Torino (Turin), but Milan is also a good option for direct flights from overseas. Both airports offer regular flights to major European hubs like London, Frankfurt, and Paris. From Milan, you can reach Cuneo by train in 2.5 to 3 hours. For a complete list of Italian airports and a selection of low-cost airlines, see our "Transport Info" page.

Getting away at the end of the tour: we leave the Elva hotel 08:15 in the van to arrive at the Cuneo train station in time for the 10:12 train to Torino. From Torino, you can transfer to another train and arrive at Torino airport by 12:26. If you're flying out from Torino today, please book a flight that departs after 14:30. If you wish to continue your travels in Italy, numerous trains connect through Torino to all other destinations in Italy. For complete information on using the Italian train system, see our blog post.

If you book a trip with us you will receive detailed information about how to get to the start of your trip. Please e-mail us with any specific travel questions.