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Highlights
Explore the natural beauty of Piedmont on this self-guided walking tour
Climb above the southern slopes of San Michele to explore spruce and larch forests and encounter native wildlife
Explore the restored town of Chiappera before ascending the rugged Rocca Provenzale
Trek past vibrant blue alpine lakes and explore bunkers built by Mussolini on the French border
Relax in a cozy mountain hut in the forested alpine village of Viviere
Trek at the foot of the Alps on the Piedmont Val Maira Walking Tour of Italy’s mountainous northwest region, where you’ll traverse alpine forests and climb striking features like the 2309m Colle Greguri.
While travelling between quaint mountain villages you’ll traverse several stunning climbs through Italy’s Piedmont region. Take a self-guided hike through the forests of San Michele before an exhilarating climb to Ponte Maira, where you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the valley. Unwind in the peaceful village of Acceglio before a self-guided walking tour of Rocca Provenzale and Colle Greguri, which ends at the beautiful church of Chiappera.
Explore high alpine lakes on the Sentiero de Frassati walk, where you’ll pass bunkers built by Mussolini on the border with France. After a climb to the 2206m high Colle Ciarbonet, a stay in the mountain huts of Viviere is most welcome. A final self-guided trek above the lush meadows and limestone cliffs of Colle Oserot completes your walking adventure in Piedmont’s beautiful Val Maira.
Book your self-guided walking tour of Italy’s stunning Piedmont region now!
Trek at the foot of the Alps on the Piedmont Val Maira Walking Tour of Italy’s mountainous northwest region, where you’ll traverse alpine forests and climb striking features like the 2309m Colle Greguri.
While travelling between quaint mountain villages you’ll traverse several stunning climbs through Italy’s Piedmont region. Take a self-guided hike through the forests of San Michele before an exhilarating climb to Ponte Maira, where you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the valley. Unwind in the peaceful village of Acceglio before a self-guided walking tour of Rocca Provenzale and Colle Greguri, which ends at the beautiful church of Chiappera.
Explore high alpine lakes on the Sentiero de Frassati walk, where you’ll pass bunkers built by Mussolini on the border with France. After a climb to the 2206m high Colle Ciarbonet, a stay in the mountain huts of Viviere is most welcome. A final self-guided trek above the lush meadows and limestone cliffs of Colle Oserot completes your walking adventure in Piedmont’s beautiful Val Maira.
Book your self-guided walking tour of Italy’s stunning Piedmont region now!
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Piedmont Val Maira Walking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in San Michele Prazzo
Upon arriving in the 1370m high village of San Michele Prazzo, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the Parish Church. After admiring the church’s beautiful painting, it’s time to be picked up to arrive at your night’s accommodation.
Overnight Location: Inn in San Michele
Distance: None
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Walking the Lou Viol Dal Genesté above San Michele
On today’s self-guided trek, you’ll follow the “Trail of Brooms” on the southern forested slopes high above San Michele. Explore spruce and larch forests before emerging into grasslands full of Genesté, or growing broom. There is plenty of wildlife to be seen before returning to San Michele.
Overnight Location: Inn in San Michele
Distance: 4 hours, 10 km, 564 m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Trek to Ponte Maira
Ascend high into woods and meadows for a stunning view of the valley below on this portion of your Piedmont walking tour. You’ll pass several small hamlets before making your arrival in Acceglio. Here, relax amidst the peace and quiet of the village for the night.
Overnight Location: Inn at Ponte Maira
Distance: 7 hours, 17 km, 1,046 m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Round-trip walk of Chiappera
A morning transfer will take you to the restored village of Chiappera. Take a moment to enjoy the stunning church before setting out before hiking to Rocca Provenzale. After a challenging push to Colle Greguri, you’ll be able to admire the incredible views as the trail gently leads back to Chiappera.
Overnight Location: Inn at Ponte Maira
Distance: 4 hours, 10 km, 906 m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Self-guided walk of Sentiero dei Frassati
A quick morning transfer takes you to Sorgente Maira. Here, your self-guided walking tour will continue along the Sentiero Frassati and its amazingly blue alpine lakes. After capturing photos of the 2300m high Lago Apzoi, you’ll trek to bunkers built by Mussolini on the French border.
Overnight Location: Inn at Ponte Maira
Distance: 6 hours, 13/16 km, 945 m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 Trek from Ponte Maira to Viviere
A walk from Ponte Maira to Viviere elevates you into the cooler forested slopes of Val Maira. This small alpine village is decked out with mountain huts where you’ll unwind after a climb to Colle Ciarbonet.
Overnight Location: Mountain hut at Viviere
Distance: 5 hours, 9 km, 603 m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 Climbing Colle Oserot
The last adventure of your Piedmont walking tour follows steep limestone cliffs up to the flourishing meadows of Plateau Gardetta. Breathtaking views surround you as you trek back down.
Overnight Location: Mountain hut at Viviere
Distance: 5 hours, 13 km, 1,007 m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8 Departure of Val Maira
Savour your final breakfast in Val Maira before being transferred back to Acceglio, where your walking tour of Italy’s stunning Piedmont Val Maira officially ends.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Departures on September 16th - October 5th, 2023:
- Solo traveler: EUR1455
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1371
- Sharing a double/twin room: EUR1101
- Sharing a triple room: EUR1019
Departure on June 1st – 9th, 2024:
- Solo traveller: EUR1610
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1490
- Sharing a double/twin room: EUR1119
- Sharing a triple room: EUR1040
Departure on June 10th – 29th, 2024:
- Solo traveller: EUR1684
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1564
- Sharing a double/twin room: EUR1160
- Sharing a triple room: EUR1040
Departure on June 30th – August 31st, 2024:
- Solo traveller: EUR1696
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1576
- Sharing a double/twin room: EUR1173
- Sharing a triple room: EUR1053
Departure on September 10th – 15th, 2024:
- Solo traveller: EUR1684
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1564
- Sharing a double/twin room: EUR1160
- Sharing a triple room: EUR1040
Departure on September 16th – October 5th, 2024:
- Solo traveller: EUR1610
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1490
- Sharing a double/twin room: EUR1119
- Sharing a triple room: EUR1040
Accommodation on Piedmont Val Maira Walking Tour
This tour is based in double rooms in mountain huts and inns that offer historic, rustic accommodations and included breakfasts.
In some cases, accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Solo travellers must pay a supplement that varies based on the season (please inquire to find out more). However, it’s definitely possible to match single travellers up.
What’s included in the Piedmont Val Maira Walking Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts, 6 packet lunches and 7 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes several personal transfers, as well as luggage transfers throughout the tour:
- Pick up at bus stop in Prazzo
- Round trip to Chiappera on day 4
- Transfer to Sorgente Maira on day 5
- Drop off at the bus station in Chialvetta on the last day of tour
- All the luggage transfers during the trekking days (1 piece per person, up to 15kg)
Also Included
- Detailed information package with route guides, maps, and notes
- 24/7 telephone guidance and support
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Anything not stated as ‘included’
- Drinks or snacks
- Personal hiking equipment
- Tourism taxes (€1.5 EUR per person daily)
- Guide services
Optional Extras
- Any additional nights before or after the tour
- Airport transfers
- How hard is Piedmont Val Maira Walking Tour?
- Do I need a Visa to travel to Italy?
- Are meals included on the Piedmont Val Maira Walking Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to San Michele Prazzo to start this tour?
- Is the Piedmont Val Maira Walking Tour guided?
- I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
- Where does the Piedmont Val Maira Walking Tour end?
- Can I rent hiking equipment?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Italy?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Italy?
We rate this tour as a 3 / 5. You will trek variable distances every day, however there are a couple of longer days. You should have experience hiking similar distances in the past.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
7 breakfasts, 6 packet lunches and 7 dinners are included.
While not mandatory, we highly recommend acquiring travel insurance that covers hiking, climbing, and trekking. Get your travel insurance.
It is recommended that you fly into Turin (TRN) or Nizza (NCE), then getting the train to Cuneo. From Cuneo, take the bus to Prazzo Inferiore, where you will be picked up from.
No, you will be provided with maps, route guides, notes, and 24/7 telephone support to complete your self-guided tour.
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel as you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided all the information on which direction you need to go daily. You don’t need to carry lots of things with you and can only carry your daypack, as your luggage will be picked up from your hotel daily in the morning and delivered to your destination hotel.
The tour ends in Acceglio, where you can take the bus back to your airport destination.
No, personal equipment is not provided or available for rent on this tour. Please come prepared with your own footwear, bags, clothing, and any additional items.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
Customer Ratings
S-Cape Travel is a boutique tour operator focused on sharing the best walking, cycling, cultural and food & wine tours in Europe. Book one of their self-guided tours to live La Dolce Vita for a week or two, as you walk or cycle around Europe, enjoying incredible views and amazing food and wine.
