HIKING IN MAIRA VALLEY
5 nights / 6 days
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A spectacular tour of the lodges in one of the most beautiful valleys in Cuneo: this unique and extraordinary hike includes satisfying technical portions, military vestiges, native plants and wildlife, the “sentiero delle fortificazioni”, bivouacs, rock walls, and soaring peaks.

Choose it because:

  • a unique and spectacular setting;
  • technical portions and military vestiges from the 1930s
  • hospitality and traditional cuisine
  • distance from mass tourism, which is far, far away 

Cost:

799 € per person

Includes:

  • 1 overnight stay in a hotel in Val Grana
  • 4 overnight stays in lodges/inns
  • half room and board with breakfast and dinner
  • presence of a mountain guide for the entire duration of the hike
  • assistance

Programme

Day 1: participants arrive at Pradleves (Val Grana) by 6 PM and meet the mountain guide who will check individual clothing and equipment, and give a presentation of the tour itinerary. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2: breakfast at 7 AM, departure at 8 AM. An all-terrain vehicle takes participants through the Grana Valley all the way up to the Sanctuary of San Magno then to the Colle di Valcavera and the Bandia mountain pastures. The group will then depart on foot for the hike up to the magnificent Rocca la Meja, whose impressive size dominates the surrounding pastures. Descending the Meja, the hike continues with a beautiful, relaxing walk through cow pastures, all the way to the Gardetta Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay (climb 400 meters, duration 6 hours).

Day 3: breakfast at 7 AM, departure at 8 AM. From the lodge, the tour begins the day with a leisurely one-hour walk along a mule track leading to the Rocca Brancia Pass, then across the screes at the foot of the steep slopes of Oserot and Rocca Brancia, all the way past Colle Oserot. The hike continues across Comba Emanuel and up to the Testa di Repiatetta where it intersects with the Roberto Cavallero Trail which, after the Due Valle Bivouac and the Peroni Pass, culminates in the peak of Monte Scaletta. Here the “sentiero delle fortificazioni” travels along the French-Italian watershed: along this stretch various cannon remains, bunkers, sentry boxes, and tunnels are reminders of a not-so-distant past. A descent along the Scaletta Valley ends at the Viviere Lodge for dinner and overnight stay (total climb 1100 meters, duration 7 hours).
Day 4: breakfast at 7:30 AM, departure at 8:30 AM. After hiking through the larch forests along the valley floor, the route continues through the magnificent Enchiausa Valley and, after approximately three hours, reaches the Colle d'Enchiausa. The hike continues downhill through the shadow of the imposing northern slope of Monte Oronaye and shortly after arrives at the Bonelli Bivouac. The long descent leads past Visaisa Lake and the Maira springs, all the way to Saretto and Chiappera for dinner and overnight stay in a secluded inn (total climb 1000 meters, duration 7 hours).

Day 5: breakfast at 7 AM, departure at 8 AM. The day begins with a hike up through the vast Pausa Valley to the Florcellina Pass along a steep and recessed trail between colourful limestone towers. Descending the opposite slope one arrives before the awe-inspiring mountain chain which extends from the Buc de Nubiera and the towering walls of the Parias Copà and culminates in the Brec de Chambeyron at 3400 meters. The final descent of the day leads to the Stroppia Lodge for dinner and overnight stay: the lodge is not supervised but dinner will be provided by the organizers (climb 1100 meters, duration 6 hours).

Day 6: after breakfast, departure at 8 AM for the hike up to Vallonasso di Stroppia, arriving at the Barenghi Bivouac in approximately two and a half hours, from which, amidst spectacular views, one arrives at the Colle di Gippier overlooking the Lac des Neuf Couloirs. From here the tour heads to the final peak: the Tete de la Frema It descends along the characteristic Terre Nere Pass, which is made up of volcanic rock along which cables ease the downhill climb and lead down to the Infernetto Valley. The final descent within this deep valley leads back to the pastures and pine forests of the upper Maira Valley. This last stretch of the tour takes place in sight of the majestic Stroppia Waterfall and the steep slopes of the massive Castello Provenzale. Return to Pradleves (Val Grana) via SherpaBus (climb 800 meters, duration 7 hours).
DEPARTURE/RETURN: Pradleves (Val Grana).
MEETING PLACE/TIME: by 6 p.m. 
DURATION: 5 nights / 6 days. 
WHEN: 18 - 24 September or on request from June to September
CHILDREN: not recommended. 
LANGUAGES: Italian, French, English. 
GUARANTEED DEPARTURE: minimum 6 maximum 8 people. 
ADDITIONAL TOUR OPTIONS: the “via ferrata” of Oronaye. This tour includes a hike up to Provenzale for groups of 1 to 4 people/guide: €300 per climb. Additional overnight stays in Val Grana, Val Maira, or upon arrival/departure from the town.