This is a spectacular 8 day hiking holiday in Italy. Enjoy a leisurely hike in the beautiful Italian Alps
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DestinationsThis is a spectacular 8 day hiking holiday in Italy. Enjoy a leisurely hike in the beautiful Italian Alps.
Tucked away in the Southern Italian Alps near the French border, lies the beautiful Val Maira with its tranquil villages, chapels and churches settled in an uncontaminated landscape. Val Maira is now slowly being discovered as a walker’s paradise. You will not find busy roads, ski slopes and mass tourism, but pristine mountain scenery, lots of sun, small charming accommodation and delicious food.
Traditionally, the inhabitants of the Val Maira had more contact with France as the border is only a few hours walk away and is easily reached via the mountain passes, while the route to the Italian plains and Po Valley was difficult and went through a rocky gorge. Only when the road was built, more Italians arrived and the first language remains Occitan, a romance language also spoken in southern France. The second language is French and then Italian.
Day 1: Arrive in San Michele Prazzo
Arrive in the village of San Michele Prazzo at 1370m altitude and take some time to visit the beautifully painted Parish Church. You will be picked up from the bus stop and transferred to the first accommodation.
Day 2: Lou Viol Dal Genesté San Michele round walk (10 km)
The day’s walk is on the southern slopes above San Michele and follows part of the “Lou Viol Dal Genestè”. This circular route takes you into contact with nature, from forests of larch and spruce to grasslands and rocky crags, and Genestè (growing broom). Along the trail it’s easy to spot a variety of wildlife native to the area.
Day 3: Walk from San Michele to Ponte Maira (17 km)
A challenging hike high above the valley with beautiful views. The walk goes through woods and meadows and you will encounter only a few tiny hamlets. Arrive at the accommodation in Acceglio and enjoy the peacefull atmosphere of this place.
Day 4: Chiappera round walk (10 km)
A short morning transfer will lead you to Chiappera, the last restored village of Val Maira at 1620m altitude, where the day’s walk starts. The village has a bar and a beautiful church with frescoes. The initial climb to the striking Rocca Provenzale is tough, but after Colle Greguri (2309m) it becomes a leisurely walk back to Chiappera, where you will be picked up and taken back to the accommodation.
Day 5: Ponte Maira round walk (13-16 km)
Another short transfer in the morning will lead you this time to Sorgente Maira where today’s walk on the Sentiero Frassati starts. This itinerary goes past a few smaller and larger mountain lakes, such as the deep blue Lago Apzoi at 2300m altitude, as well as a series of bunkers that Mussolini had built on the border with France. At the end of the walk you will be picked up and taken back to the accommodation.
Day 6: Walk from Ponte Maira to Viviere (9 km)
Today you leave Ponte Maira for the tiny mountain village of Viviere, located in the cool and more forested northern slope of the Val Maira. A long climb brings you to Colle Ciarbonet (2206m), then you start descending to Viviere where you will be staying in a cozy welcoming hut.
Day 7: Colle Oserot walk (13 km)
This final stage takes you up to Colle Oserot (highest point 2640m). This is a very nice walk along steep limestone cliffs and green meadows with great panoramic views. You can also make a small trip to Rifugio Gardetta (at 2380 m), situated on the Plateau Gardetta.
Day 8: Arrivederci Val Maira!
The trip and our services end after breakfast, unless you have booked other nights of services with us. From Viviere you will be brought to the bus stop in Acceglio.
Breathe amidst quiet and secluded mountains;
Walk in ancient villages and visit Roman and Gothic churches and chapels;
Treat yourself delicious local food (Occitane and Italian cuisine);
Admire breathe taking landscapes and flora and fauna surrounds you.
Day 1: Arrive in San Michele Prazzo
Day 2: Lou Viol Dal Genesté San Michele round walk (10 km)
Day 3: Walk from San Michele to Ponte Maira (17 km)
Day 4: Chiappera round walk (10 km)
Day 5: Ponte Maira round walk (13-16 km)
Day 6: Walk from Ponte Maira to Viviere (9 km)
Day 7: Colle Oserot walk (13 km)
Day 8: Arrivederci Val Maira!
From either Torino airport (TRN), reach the train station Torino Porta Nuova and take a train to Cuneo.
From Nice airport (NCE), reach the Nice-Ville train station and get on the Train des Merveille to Cuneo.
From Cuneo, there are only few direct connections to Prazzo: you need to reach Prazzo Inferiore by bus (with change in Dronero). In Prazzo Inferiore, you wil be picked up and taken to you accommodation.
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