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Piedmont Peaks and Valleys: Hiking the Valle Maira Write a review
Soaring peaks, emerald lakes, and quaint stone villages await you in the Maira Valley of Piedmont. Step into its timeless charm, where ancient traditions and a serene, welcoming spirit envelop you. Every step will immerse you in its pristine, breathtaking landscapes, and rich history. The Valle Maira is the perfect destination for Customwalks enthusiasts. Our hikes will take you above the tree line for stunning views of majestic mountains and then through verdant beech forests to captivating stone villages where fresh spring water runs freely from every village “fontana”. You will relax in unexpected comfort in lovingly restored and refurbished stone and timber Locanda’s. The food is also superb. Local produce is used in traditional recipes, which are often revisited with flare. Being in Piedmont, the wine lists feature the best producers of Barbera, Barbaresco, and Barolo. Finally, there is no mass tourism here. There are no ski lifts, big buses, or even hotels with more than a dozen rooms. This place is still authentic. The Valle Maira is a hidden gem that awaits you.
We have developed two versions of this tour. The first is a moderate-plus tour for relatively fit hikers who can enjoy a four to five-hour hike spread out during the day but with no more than 500 meters (1,600 ft) of elevation gain on average. The second version is a challenging tour for very fit hikers only, which features long hikes that regularly entail a thousand meters (3,200 feet) of elevation gain and loss along some difficult mountain trails. The longest hike of the challenging itinerary is 18.5 kms (11.5 miles). All of the hikes are super rewarding. Be sure to read closely the “Activity Level” for each tour. You can see the Challenging version here.
Piedmont Peaks and Valleys Hiking Tour Includes:
Piedmont Peaks and Valleys: Hiking the Valle Maira itinerary Request full itinerary
Begin your journey in the elegant small city of Cuneo which is conveniently connected to Turin airport by train. While it might not be on every tourist's radar, the 12th-century historic center is full of surprises, with charming squares, ancient buildings, and beautiful churches. Enjoy a leisurely evening with dinner on your own, perfect for unwinding after your travels. Overnight stay at the 4-star Hotel Principe di Piemonte (or a similar accommodation) in Cuneo. Hotel included. Dinner not included.
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.
Activity Level 3+ out of 5= Moderate Plus:
Level 3+ in general: This is a Moderate tour for fit hikers who will find the walks a satisfying workout, while less-fit hikers will find them challenging but do-able and have a great sense of achievement at the end of the week.
Level 3+ Terrain: Rolling to hilly terrain with frequent steep ascents and descents. The "+" indicates that they also involve more rugged, rocky, or steep terrain than the standard 3-rated tours.
Level 3+ Actual walking time: Between 3-5 hours per day, mostly in the morning but also in the afternoon.
Level 3+ Distances: Usually 8 - 11 kms (5 - 6 mi) per day. Max distance 11 kms (6 mi).
Level 3+ Surfaces: Trails are a mix of compact earth or dirt tracks, gravel roads, and rocky, uneven wooded trails. You will also encounter centuries old stone stairways and rocky steps.
Level 3+ Footing: Good, but you have to pay attention to where and how you place your feet. Proper hiking shoes with thick soles with good treads are required. Sport sandals, running shoes and tennis shoes are not adequate.
Level 3+ Hiking Poles: Highly recommended but not required.
Level 3+ tours other: This tour is appropriate for “sporty and fit” first-time hikers who enjoy walking and have good balance. People with hip and knee issues might find a 3+ tour challenging because of the terrain and the duration of the hikes.
Level 3+ list of tours: Amalfi is the easiest of this group, then Dolomites Lite, followed by the Cinque Terre, Sardinia, Northern Greece Meteora & Zagori, Andalusia and Piedmont Peaks and Valleys.
Piedmont Peaks and Valleys: Hiking the Valle Maira Specifics: Though not long in terms of distance, the walks can be strenuous at times as we ascend or descend mountain paths.
Compared to the Cinque Terre: The Cinque Terre is the perfect example of a 3+ rated tour. Our most common comment about the Cinque Terre walk and other tours rated 3+ is “More challenging than I expected but I am glad I did it”. This Piemont Peaks and Valleys tours is very similar to our Cinque Terre hike, because they both have a lot of up and down, and many sustained climbs.
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. Walks would be in towns, cities, and villages, and the countryside walks 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 you would carry a heavier-than-normal pack. None of our tours are rated 5 out of 5. Our most challenging tours are 4.5 out of 5. 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.
