7 nights
49 mls (km)
North West Italy
Moderate to Challenging
Jun to Oct
£1580

High-level Mountain Trails in the Italian Alps

  • Explore Historic Villages of the Italian Alps
  • Stunning Mountain Lakes, Forests and Meadow Routes
  • Breath-taking Views from High-level Mountain Trails
  • Delicious Local Food (Occitane and Italian Cuisine)
  • Exceptional Lodging in Picturesque Settings
  • Visit Roman and Gothic Churches

Why this walk?

Experience unforgettable scenery each day out among the fresh Alpine air, returning each night to the beautifully preserved villages and the relaxed, welcoming culture of the Italian Alps via the Val Maira. This is a route that links stunningly beautiful historic villages with scenic routes that offer incredible views over the peaks and valleys that give Piedmont their distinctive Alpine character. The Val Maira crosses paths with cavernous lakes, vibrant wildflowers and the architecture and old frescoes that are found among the traditional Italian villages you visit. Here you’ll find well-marked paths, some of which are sections of larger, cross-country paths, taking you through an area that is alive with wildflowers in the springtime, and temperate in the summer months, where the mild mountain air promises a more conducive environment for summer walking than other areas in southern Europe.

This route takes among some of the more secluded, and peaceful of the stunning valleys, lakes and hills of Piedmont, visiting charming, traditional villages – seemingly frozen in time. The sheer variety of landscape you’ll see before you are part of what makes Piedmont such a natural gourmet destination. This is the birthplace of the famous Italian ‘Slow Food’ movement, and the relationship between the people, the land and the way they celebrate the famous wines, cheeses and truffles of the region is testimony to that ethos.

Val Maira walking holiday map

The Path

Walkers can expect clearly defined paths that are regularly maintained, leading over meadows, pine woodland and old mule tracks. This is a landscape that has remained largely unchanged over the ages, with arch stone bridges that have stood for centuries, old military roads and farming tracks forming the basis of the expansive route network that covers the valley. Some sections can prove quite taxing, with occasional steep inclines as the route climbs around the valley – however, there are some particularly stunning views on these more high-level sections walking along the steep limestone cliffs.

The Accommodation

One of the more secluded, remote area of Northern Italy, you can expect your lodgings for the journey to be typical of the houses and architecture of the valley. These are renovated farmhouses; colourful, cosy places situated among the quiet villages you visit, with spacious rooms and en-suite bathrooms. You can expect a warm welcome from your hosts after a day spent out exploring the beautiful alpine scenery, as well as useful information on the local area. A generous breakfast is served each morning, and you’ll leave each day with a packed lunch prepared by your hosts with an evening meal (made with local specialties) prepared in the restaurant of the accommodation you stay in each night. 

Our Val Maira Itineraries

  • Walking Val Maira
    Distance: 49 miles (78.5km)
    ITA-PVM1
    7 Nights, 6 Days
    from £1305 pp
    Walking Val Maira
        7 nights, 6 days
    Ref: ITA-PVM1
    Moderate to Challenging,
    Grade: Classic

    or ask us a question
    What's Included:
    6 walking days
    7 nights
    7 breakfasts,
    6 lunches, 7 dinners
    + all our usuals
    Prices
    Two sharing ppSolo walkerSingle person (in a group)
    01/06/2025 - 22/09/2025£1,305£2,085£1,840
    23/09/2025 - 05/10/2025£1,265£1,990£1,740

    Extras
    <~ Go back to all itineraries
    • 7 nights’ accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis
    • 7 dinners
    • 6 packed lunches
    • Luggage transfers
    • Personal transfers where indicated in the programme as a standard arrangement (if you travel by bus to Prazzo Inferiore a short transfer to your first accommodation is also provided).
    • Walk Pack, to include Road Book (route notes/mapping) including directions to your accommodation and destination information.
    • Access to a Travel App
    • Local map provided at your first accommodation
    Price Does Not Include ~
    • City taxes (per person) only payable direct to accommodations - city tax can vary during the year and new taxes can be introduced but vary from 1€ to 4,50€
    • Travel to San Michele di Prazzo/Prazzo Inferiore (nearest bus stop) and from Marmora. Optional transfers to your accommodation (available upon request at time of booking)

    You choose which day you would like your holiday to start on. We will book your holiday in accordance with your requirements.

    Our Val Maira holidays are available to walk June to October.

    Travel arrangements for arrival/departure ~

    Nearest airport is Turin (served by both major and low-cost carriers) and Nice (Nizzi)

    Turin (TRN)  http://www.aeroportoditorino.it/en

    Nice(NCE)  https://en.nice.aeroport.fr/

    You are responsible for booking your air travel to airports and onward travel to your first accommodation and from your accommodation on departure.

    FROM TURIN AIRPORT

    • Take the bus from airport to Porta Nuova railway station (main Turin station)

    The SADEM bus service between the city centre and Turin Airport has several stops en-route including Porta Nuova railway station.

    • Train from Turin to Cuneo (approx. 1 hour 10 minutes)

    FROM NICE AIRPORT

    • Take the bus from airport to Nice-Ville railway station

    A special airport express bus 99 connects both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 with the station twice per hour in 15 minutes.

    We would then recommend a taxi transfer from Cuneo to your first accommodation which we would be pleased to pre-book for you.  There are only a few direct buses from Cuneo to Prazzo.  So you have to take a bus to Dronero (20km) and change here for a bus to Prazzo Inferiore (30km) from where you will be picked up and taken to your first accommodation in San Michele (5km).  Transfers available from Cuneo and Dronero.

     

    Train timetables - http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en

    We can organise additional nights/rest days, as well as transport options. Please contact us to discuss how we can help you with your specific requirements. Call one of our helpful team on +44 (0)1291 689774 or e-mail us here.

    Val Maira Client Reviews

    4.9/5 based on 3 reviews
    Beautiful trails, challenging hike, delicious food, fun lodging!
    - September 2024
    Excellent service. Quality accommodations and attention to details.
    - June 2024
    Celtic Trails are a professional service - engaging team who helped us navigate through the different options, with a deep knowledge of their offering. Customer service was excellent - informative, friendly, knowledgeable and always prompt.
    - June 2022
    Leave your own review of your Val Maira Walking Holiday with us - add review.