Customwalks: Guided walking tours in Italy, France, Greece, Spain, Turkey and Croatia.
Piedmont High Peaks. Challenging Valle Maira Hike Write a review
Discover the enchanting Maira Valley in Piedmont, where soaring peaks, emerald lakes, and charming stone villages await. Immerse yourself in the valley's timeless beauty, where ancient traditions and a warm, welcoming spirit embrace you at every turn. As you hike through pristine landscapes, you'll be captivated by breathtaking views and the rich history of the region. Our Customwalks guides will take you above the tree line for panoramic mountain vistas, then lead you through lush beech forests to villages where fresh spring water flows freely from every “fontana.” After a day of exploring, unwind in the unexpected comfort of lovingly restored stone and timber Locandas. Enjoy superb local cuisine, where traditional recipes are crafted with fresh produce and a touch of creativity. And, of course, being in Piedmont, you can savor wines from top producers of Barbera, Barbaresco, and Barolo. In Valle Maira, you won’t find mass tourism—no ski lifts, big buses, or large hotels. This hidden gem remains authentic and unspoiled, offering a truly unique experience.
We offer two versions of this tour to cater to different hiking abilities. This page describes the more challenging option, featuring epic hikes through rugged mountain terrain. Expect to climb between 800 meters (2,500 feet) and 1,200 meters (3,800 feet) each day, covering distances of 12 to 18 kilometers (8 to 12 miles). The itinerary includes a mix of Alpine treks and demanding valley and hillside hikes through picturesque hamlets and villages. This tour is designed for fit hikers who relish the rewards of sustained effort and adventure. The other version of the tour is rated as “Moderate-plus” and is designed for those who enjoy a four to five-hour hike with more manageable elevation gains of around 500 meters (1,600 ft). Check out the Moderate Plus version [here].
Our Piedmont High Peaks Hiking Tour Includes:
To see more photos of this tour, see the photos posted on the Moderate Version of the itinerary which you can see by clicking HERE
Piedmont High Peaks. Challenging Valle Maira Hike itinerary Request full itinerary
Start your adventure in the charming city of Cuneo, easily accessible by train from Turin airport. While it may not be a typical tourist destination, Cuneo's 12th-century historic center is a hidden gem, offering delightful surprises at every turn with its quaint squares, ancient architecture, and stunning churches. After settling in, enjoy a relaxing evening with dinner on your own, the perfect way to unwind after your journey. Overnight at the 4-star Hotel Principe di Piemonte (or a similar accommodation) in Cuneo. Hotel included. Dinner not included.
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.
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.
Activity Level 4.5 or 5 out of 5 = Challenging
Level 4.5 in general: This is a challenging tour for fit hikers who will feel satisfied and a bit tired by the end of the day; it is NOT appropriate for novice hikers or even for experienced but unfit hikers. Day 4 is the most challenging day, which makes the tour a 5 rating, but we offer an easier option which reduces the overall rating to a 4-difficulty level.
Level 4.5 Terrain: Rolling and often steep terrain. Challenging sustained climbs and descents of up to 1,200 m (4,000 ft). Altitude can play a role as our Challenging tours are in the mountains. On the Dolomites "Alta Via" tour we sleep at 2,700 m (8,500 ft).
Level 4.5 Actual hiking time: 5 - 7 hours per day
Level 4.5 Distances: Usually 15 - 18 km (9.5 - 11 mi). Max distance is 22 km (14 mi).
Level 4.5 Surfaces: Trails are a mix of compact earth or dirt track, gravel roads, and rocky, uneven trails. You will find scree slopes and steep switchback trails, and at times you may have to use your arms to climb up a short “impasse,” or sit down on your bum to descend sections that are too big for a step. You might also find somewhat overgrown trails.
Level 4.5 Footing: Good to tricky. You must almost ALWAYS pay attention to where and how you place your feet. Proper hiking shoes or boots with thick soles with good treads are required. Sport sandals, running shoes and tennis shoes are not adequate.
Level 4.5 Hiking Poles: REQUIRED! If you don’t bring your poles the guide will hit you over the head with their own poles.
Level 4.5 tours other: These tours are not appropriate for first-time hikers. People with hip and knee issues will probably find that the hikes aggravate their pre-existing injuries to the point that they may have to abandon the tour. Hikers need to be fit and have healthy joints, and easily be able to hike for six hours a day. You should also be used to negotiating rocky, uneven terrain.
Level 4.5 list of tours: Dolomites "Alta Via," Republic of Georgia – Tusheti National Park
Piedmont High Peaks. Challenging Valle Maira Hike Specifics: The trails are safe, but some of them have some “open” parts which could unsettle anyone who suffers from vertigo (on the other hand, all you have to do is look the other way!). Most of the trails are well maintained, but occasionally you have to hike on a short stretch of scree. You also have to carry what you need for three nights up in the mountain huts, so your day-pack will be a little heavier than usual. Elevation gains are between 600 - 900 m (1,970 - 3,000 ft).
Backpacks: On these trips you will be carrying more in your backpacks than on other tours because: a) we are in the mountains so you need to carry more layers and be ready for any weather conditions; b) you may need to carry more water since it may not be available; c) you may be carrying your lunch; and d) in some cases you may have to carry an extra change of clothing, as in our Dolomites "Alta Via" Hike you stay up in the mountains where luggage transfers are not possible.
Compared to the Cinque Terre: Significantly more difficult than the Cinque Terre because the distances are much longer and the terrain and footing much more difficult. If you enjoyed the hikes in the Cinque Terre but wanted more at the end of the day and you regularly hike and backpack, then these 5-rated tours are right up your alley.
As a point of reference, what is a 1 out of 5 Activity rating? A 1 out of 5 rated tour is a tour without any hiking. Hikes would be in towns, cities, and villages, and the countryside hikes would be on paved, or gravel/dirt roads, and occasionally on some packed earth trails. Elevation gain and loss would be negligible.
As a point of reference, what is a 5 out of 5 Activity rating? A 5 out of 5 rated tour is a tour that would be physically challenging and technically difficult even for very fit and experienced hikers. The hikes would have steep ascents and descents on narrow, exposed trails with challenging footing, such as on scree fields, or through rock falls and boulders. Distances would be up to 25 km/16 miles per day and feature ascents of over 1,000 m/3,200 feet in a day. A 5 out of 5 tour would also mean that you would be carrying a heavier-than-normal pack. None of our tours are rated 5 out 5. Our most challenging tours are 4.5 out of 5, and they are the Dolomites Alta Via (because of some exposed trail that requires some technical expertise) and our Republic of Georgia tour which has some long hikes with over 1,000 meters of elevation gain.
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.
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.
If you have any questions or specific requests about any of our tours, we’re here to help. You can fill in the form below, send us an email, or call us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
