Hut to hut hiking(Valle Maira - Piedmont)

Valle MairaThe Hiker's paradise of Piedmont

• Quiet and secluded mountains• Beautiful wild valleys• Ancient, tranquil villages• Roman and Gothic churches and chapels• Large variety of flora and fauna• Exceptional lodging facilities• Delicious local food (Occitane and Italian cuisine)• Wonderful mountain trails and breathtaking views• Friendly locals

Everywhere in the Valle Maira shows the signs of ancient history, written by the slow transformation of the land through the geological eras and by the constant and respectful dialogue between man and nature.

Where are we?Valle Maira is a Valley in the Southwest of Piedmont, close to Cuneo and the French border.

By plane:40 minutes from Cuneo Le Valdigi1h55 from Turin airport2h15 from Genova airport3h05 from Milano Linate

By car:Via the Frejus tunnel from France or Via the San Bernardo tunnel from Switzerland, or the main motorways from Turin, Milan and Genova.

By train:Take a train to Cuneo and a bus to Dronero, then take a bus or book a private transfer.

The Valle Maira offers uncontaminated nature and spectacular scenery. The upper valley is dotted with traditional mountain villages just waiting to be discovered.The accommodation we propose here are not standard mountain huts but small and immaculately-kept guesthouses where you will truly feel at home.

Each point of arrival is the ideal place to enjoy the traditional cuisine and relax and rejuvenate after a day's trekking.

For those that want even more comfort the Valle Maira offers, for a small extra, a shuttle service for your luggage. This service is available for all accommodation apart from the Rifugio Gardetta, which cannot be accessed by road.

Enjoying true nature in comfort.

Percorsi OccitaniThe itinerary of the Occitan Paths retraces the ancient mule tracks of the Valle Maira which, in the past, connected the villages situated on the steep mountain slopes. Along the route there are innumerable artistic and architectonic areas of the Romanesque and Gothic period, enhanced by the traditional Occitan culture present in three states (Italy, France, Spain).

Thanks to the renovation of these ancient paths, today it is possible to discover this beautufulvalley on foot through the "Percorsi Occitani" that link picturesque hamlets and villages, adhering to age-old traditions. Many of the paths criss-crossing this extraordinarily beautiful high valleyare paved in stone at lower levels and the higherslopes are abundant with springs and lakes.

The High Valle Maira

5 days to discover the highest part of the Valle Maira, from the Village of Chiappera to Marmora crossing the highlands of Gardetta.

Day 1: Chiappera (1614m) – Stroppia waterfalls (1687)Day 2: Chiappera (1614m) - Chialvetta (1494m)Day 3: Chialvetta (1494m) – Gardetta (2335m)Day 4: Gardetta (2335m) – Marmora (1223m)

The walks are over mountain meadows, woodland trails, dirt tracks, stony paths and inevitable pieces of asphalt roads in the villages. Some of the walks are long and more demanding as the climbs can be quite steep. All the paths are well marked and regularly maintained.

Chiappera – Stroppia waterfalls -Lake Neira – Chiappera

Chiappera is the last inhabited village of the Valle Maira, from this village we will start the discovery of the valley.For the 1st day we suggest an excursion from the Chiappera village to the waterfalls of Stroppia, the tallest waterfalls in Italy with a total descent of approx 500 metres. It is possible to see the waterfalls in their full beauty from the end of May to the end of July.

Following the path of Dino Icardi and crossing the waterfalls you'll reach Lake Neira (2302m), the source of the Stroppia waterfalls.

The symbol of the Village is the Rocca Provenzale, a quartz-group of mountains known as a paradise for climbers.

4h

10km

650m

650m

2.302m

1.600m

La Scuola di ChiapperaThe old school of Chiappera became an eco-friendly accommodation after a renovation done a couple of years ago.

The main building of the school houses the reception, the restaurant where you can taste delicious traditional food, a lobby area and a sauna. There are also 3 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and wood furniture.

There are also another 5 rooms with ensuite bathrooms inside one of the village's typical chalets of the village only 100m from the school.

4h40

12,7km

Chiappera - ChialvettaYou will leave behind the Rocca Provenzale and the vertiginous jump of the Stroppia Waterfalls to take the path to Chialvetta. Tha path runs along the artificial Saretto lake, reaches the Sources of the Maira and ascends through the thick larch wood towards Colle Ciarbonet (2206 m). The effort is largely paid off by the view from the grassy cleft. The descent into the valley of Unerzio follows an ancient military road that reaches the beautiful grange of Mezzagliera, and further downhill the characteristic hamlets of Viviere, Pratorotondo and Chialvetta, linked by an ancient path known as "la Scurcio".

730m

750m

2.206m

1.494m

Locanda di Chialvetta

The Locanda di Chialvetta is in an historical building, which has been exquisitely restored respecting the environment of the village.

There are 6 rooms (double, triple and quadruple) and a studio for 4 people. All of the rooms have ensuite bathrooms and wooden furniture.

The locanda also has a bar and a restaurant serving traditional mountain food.

4h15

7,5km

Chialvetta - GardettaFrom the charming village of Chialvetta, you will walk back up the "Scurcio" to the wayside shrine dedicated to the alpinists on the wide plateau of Prato Ciorliero (1959 m). The path climbs further towards Passo della Gardetta (2440 m), among high altitude pastures and military constructions belonging to the Alpine Wall dug into chalk outcrops.Once you reach the pass, the view in front of you is superb: it runs across the plateau of the Gardetta (Italian geological heritage since 2001), along the military roads that run through it, past the stunning Rocca la Meja peak (2840 m). Behind you stands the peak of Mount Oronaye (3100 m).

940m

122m

2.440m

1.494m

Rifugio GardettaA typical but comfortable mountain hut, is the only accommodation near the Gardettaplain.

At Rifugio Gardetta there are a bar, a restaurant and 45 beds in dormitories of 8 - 10 beds with shared bathrooms. For each 2 double beds there is a separè.

For a unique experience it is also possible to sleep in the "Trune": insulated tents in front of the refuge. The tents have a mattress, pillow and bed linen. People staying in the tents use the shared bathrooms inside the refuge.

It is possible to rent in advance bed linen, blanketsand towels.

6h45

20,5 km

Gardetta - MarmoraFrom the Gardetta Hut, follow the comfortable dirt-track that descends in the direction of Canosio, between gentle valleys, towards Colle del Preit (2076 m). Here reach the grassy cattle-track that reaches the slopes of Rocca la Meja and ascends to Colli Margherina (2408 m) and d'Ancoccia (2535 m). You go through historic military roads again and you can see bunkers and casemates between the rocky walls and the most strategic peaks. Near Colle del Mulo (2529 m), the view extends over the peaks of the Stura valley. After passing the col, a long descent on the path runs through the Marmora valley, along the pretty Resile Lake and among the larches and reaches the villages of Marmora, rich in architectural and artistic buildings.

610m

1.560m

2.537m

1.223m

PensioneCeaglio

The Ceaglio is located at the footof the Gardetta-plateau in the upper part of the Maira Valley at1,223 metres on the old villageroad in Vernetti, Marmora.

The Ceaglio is an "Albergo diffuso": the rooms, the restaurant and the sauna are situated in several restoredformer farmhouses around the village fountain.

All the rooms are decorated in different styles, have ensuiteswith showers and are thermallyand acoustically insulated.

For those who want to further discover the treasures of Valle Maira, we suggest visiting:• Elva, (but be careful with the car the road is

impervious), a small village with The Parish Church of Maria Vergine Assunta, an ancient church with frescos of Han Clemer

• Villar San Costanzo, with the Sanctuary of San Costanzo al Monte and the Ciciu del Villar a natural reserve with the characteristic mushroom-shaped erosion columns.

• Roccabruna - Roccerè an archaeological site dating back to the Bronze Age.

• Macra, with the Church of San Salvatore, founded in the 12th century, one of the oldest medieval testimonies.

• Stroppo and the Church of San Peyre with a beautiful bell tower in Gothic alpine style and inside the famous fresco of painted music.

Valle Maira

The cuisine

After a hard day's hike delight your taste buds with the traditional food of this valley that reflects the close relationship with nature and mountain tradition.

Try the ravioles a particular potato dumplings, the anchovies and the persi pien, peach stuffed with chocolate and amaretti.

Extend your stayIn only 1h by car it is possible to reach:

Saluzzo, a magnificent medieval city, candidate for the 2024 Italian city of culture.

The Langhe, world heritage site, famous for its wonderful landscapes, hilltop towns and Barbera, Barbaresco and Barolowines. Enjoy a relaxing stay in one of the many agriturismo with an outdoor pool from which you can enjoy the view over the hills.

Under 2 hours it is also possible to reach:

Turin, the first capital city of Italy, an historical and vibrant place to stay.

Liguria and the Italian Riviera

Discovery ItalyWe will be by your side the whole way to create the best experience possible for your guests with assistance in the booking of:

AccommodationTransportationRestaurantsQualified guidesActivities/Experiences

And once in resort we are available 24 hours a day in case of need.

Contacts: info@discoveryitaly.org