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Val Maira Italy plays host to this fantastic week-long walking holiday in the Southern Italian Alps near to the French border. This self-guided hiking vacation in Italy set in the wonderful region close to Cuneo where you shall come across stunning unspoilt landscapes with quaint villages.
Until so not long ago access to valmaira for walking was easier from the French side as the Italian side you had to navigate around a rocky gorge. Now access from Italy is much easier and more and more Italians now live in the region.
This walking holiday in Italy has been graded level 3 on a self-guided basis making use of renovated farmhouses and a mountain hut; as close to natural accommodation as it’s possible to get for your trip to the Val Maira.
On your walking holiday in Val Maira, you shall now encounter ancient villages with nice churches and chapels, on the nature side a large variety of flora and fauna and a distinct lack of mass tourism, a walker’s paradise!
San Michele Prazzo
The walks are over mountain meadows, woodland trails, dirt tracks, stony paths and some tarmac roads. Some of the walks are long and more demanding due to the climbs being steep. All paths are well maintained and marked.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Hooked on Walking that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the chosen activity and for emergency evacuation and hospital care.
Today you make your way to the village of San Michele Prazzo located at 1370m altitude in the Italian Alps. Take some time to visit the beautifully painted Parish Church. You will be picked up at the bus stop and transferred to the first accommodation.
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.
A challenging hike high above the valley with beautiful views. The walk goes through woods and meadows, you will come across only a few tiny hamlets on this walk. You will arrive at the accommodation in Acceglio and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
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 some pretty 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.
First, a 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. It is possible to walk back to Ponte Maira or you can opt to take a transfer from Sorgenti Maira (to be paid locally)
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 cosy welcoming hut.
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.
Departure after breakfast where from Viviere you will be taken to the bus stop in Acceglio.
The best airports to fly into are Turin and Nizza airports and then by train to Cuneo.
From Turin airport
Take the train to Torino Porta Nuova (city centre) and change there for the train to Cuneo.
From Nice (Nizza) airport
Take the shuttle bus to the Nice Ville station and then get on the Train des Merveille to Cuneo.
From Cuneo to the first accommodation
There are only a few direct buses from Cuneo to Prazzo.
So you have to take a bus to Dronero (20 km) and change here for a bus to Prazzo Inferiore (30 km) where you will be picked up and taken to the first accommodation in San Michele (5 km). It is possible to pre-book a transfer from Cuneo to the accommodation.
2024 Prices – For a complete tour price breakdown please click the book now button and select your holiday tour date. Prices will then be listed.
| Tour Code | Prices From (per person) | Book Now |
| Valmaira (7 Nights) | from £1135 | Book Now |
