Piedmont Challenge
Hiking the High Trails

Our adventure begins bright and early at 09:00, when we pick you up and head towards the mountains. Our first stop is the remarkable Filatoio di Caraglio, a castle-like structure and the oldest silk manufacturing complex in Europe, dating back to 1676-1678. Recently restored, this beautiful mill offers a fascinating glimpse into the past. We’ll enjoy a private 1-hour tour before continuing deeper into the valley. As we drive, the road narrows, winding alongside the rushing waters of the Maira River. A sharp turn takes us up a steep incline to the "Locanda del Silenzio," the first of three exquisite family-run boutique hotels we'll stay at this week. From this charming mountain inn, we’ll embark on an easy hike, giving you your first taste of the stone villages nestled into the steep valley sides and the towering mountain peaks nearby. The gentle path leads us to a lovely trattoria where we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch. Afterward, we’ll hike back uphill to the Locanda where you can relax and enjoy the splendid view from the garden, or embark on a thrilling loop hike that takes you along the clifftops that overlook the village. Before dinner, we’ll unwind with a casual wine tasting, introducing you to some of the superb local wines you'll be savoring throughout the week. We’ll then enjoy a delightful dinner in the inn’s cozy flagstone courtyard. Overnight Locanda del Silenzio. The Hike: 8.5 km / 5.3 miles  Elevation gain/loss: 400m / 1,312 ft  Duration  2h15m Optional afternoon loop hike 3.6 kms/2.3 miles, Elevation gain/loss: 440 meters/1,400 feet. Duration 1.5 - 2 hours. Included: Hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

After a hearty breakfast, we’ll take a short 25-minute van ride to the starting point of our hike. We’ll step into a lush forest of beech and oak, where the path leads us to a forgotten stone village slowly being reclaimed by nature. Abandoned just a half-century ago, this village of sturdy stone houses, wooden balconies, and slate roofs stands resilient against time. The remnants of life here are hauntingly beautiful—a stack of firewood ready for winter, a wooden crib on a balcony, and a single old leather boot beside an empty wine bottle. What stories could these relics tell? Leaving the woods behind, we’ll emerge into open pastures with stunning views of sharply etched valleys and distant mountains. Our hike will bring us to a village that’s been revitalized by visionary souls who’ve breathed new life into old homes, barns, and mills. We’ll enjoy a delicious lunch in a cozy, recently revived Locanda. Afterward, the trail winds mostly downhill, passing a charming frescoed chapel and another picturesque, flower-filled stone hamlet. We’ll return to the tranquil Locanda di Silenzio to unwind and take in the mountain views before indulging in another delightful dinner. Overnight: Locanda del Silenzio. The Hike: 10 km / 6.2 miles  Elevation gain/loss: 650m / 2,080 ft  Duration  4 hrs. Included: Hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Our hike begins with a 15-minute van transfer to the trailhead. From there, we embark on a steady ascent up a century-old stone-paved military road, leading us to a high plateau with breathtaking panoramic views. To our left, the jagged peak and serrated flanks of Rocca di Mieja dominate the landscape. True to its name—Rocca, meaning fortress in Italian—this mountain stands as a formidable natural stronghold. We circumnavigate the mountain to take in its full grandeur. Along the way you will encounter whistling marmots and pass long-abandoned bunkers from a less enlightened era. We’ll navigate a tricky rock fall before making the final climb to the day’s high point, where endless peaks punctuate the horizon. The last leg of our hike follows a picturesque alpine stream, guiding us back to the van for our return. A short 30-minute van transfer will take us to your home for the next two nights, the family-run Locanda Lou Pitavin. This charming retreat, established 25 years ago in a beautifully renovated stone hamlet, offers comfort, exquisite cuisine, and breathtaking scenery. Tonight, dinner will be served on the terrace (weather permitting) or inside the ancient stone barn, stylishly repurposed for an unforgettable dining experience. Overnight: Locanda Lou Pitavin.  The Hike: 18.5 km /12 miles  Elevation gain/loss: 1,030m / 3’300 feet Duration  6 hrs. Included: Hotel, breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner.  

We have an epic hike for you today. You will ascend a switchback trail through a larch forest to emerge high above a shimmering emerald lake. A striking pyramid-shaped mountain serves as a spectacular backdrop. The trail leads you through a lush landscape of alpine pastures encircled by towering peaks. One more climb reveals another pristine lake, this time high above the tree line, that offers sweeping views of the peaks that surround you. As You continue, the hike takes you across a high plateau adorned with cheerful wildflowers that dance in the wind. You will climb up to a ridgeline, where you’ll literally walk along the frontier between France and Italy—one foot in each country! A well-earned picnic lunch is enjoyed, sheltered from the wind by a WWII-era Italian bunker. After lunch, a gradual descent along winding paths and a cobbled military road brings us back to the valley. Overnight: Locanda Lou Pitavin. The Hike: 14.5 kms/8.3 miles. Elevation gain and loss: 1,010m / 3,230 feet. Duration: 6 hours.  Included: Hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  

After the last two challenging days on the trail, today offers a welcome change of pace. We enjoy a gentler hike through the charming hamlets of Stroppo, where narrow cobbled lanes wind between stone houses topped with slate roofs, and slender church spires peek above the rustic rooftops. We’ll enjoy a fabulous lunch at the lovely Locanda Petirosso, where traditional dishes are served in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. After lunch, we have a short but very rewarding hike to the “Fremo Cuncuna”, a ledge of rock which hovers 1,000 meters above the valley floor. The intrepid among you can enjoy a breathtaking view from its airy seat. The hike ends in the village of Elva where we have a short visit to the local cheese maker for a tasty and insightful experience. Then you’ll settle into the charming Le Colonne resort, where you can relax in the spa or indulge in a soothing massage. With just eight rooms, Le Colonne is a small, family-run Locanda with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. This evening, owner and Chef Michele provides us with yet another unforgettable culinary experience. Overnight: Resort Le Colonne - Elva.  The Hike: Morning - 6.2 kms/4.1miles. Elevation gain and loss: 250m / 800 feet. Duration: 2.5 hours. Afternoon: 3.9 kms/2.5miles. Elevation gain 60 m/200 ft and elevation loss: 340m/1,100 feet. Duration: 1 hr 15 mins.  Included: Hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

After breakfast, we take a 20-minute ride up to the Colle di Sampeyre, one of Europe’s highest paved roads at 2,284 meters. Weather permitting, you’ll push higher still—up to 3,064 meters—to summit Pelvo d’Elva. The trail is straightforward, but steep in sections, with a bit of bouldering near the top, which requires good balance and foot placement. The reward at the top is a full 360-degree panorama: the splendid Mount Monviso on the horizon and the Vairata and Maira valleys far below. We retrace our steps for a picnic beside a high alpine lake before returning to the trailhead. Back at Le Colonne, there’s time for a well-earned spa session before our final dinner together in the cozy timber-lined dining room.Overnight: Resort Le Colonne - Elva.  The Hike: 15.8 kms/10 miles, Elevation gain/loss 1,073 meters/3,433 feet Duration 6 hours. Included: Hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

We will depart from Elva at 08:15 to arrive at the Cuneo train station in time for the 10:12 train to Torino. From there, you may transfer to another train, arriving at Torino airport by 12:26. If you're flying out from Torino on this day, please book a flight that departs no earlier than 14:30. If you're continuing your travels in Italy, you’ll find numerous train connections available. Travel time to Milan is approximately three hours. Breakfast and one group transfer included.

We don’t usually gush about lodging, but this itinerary has a collection worth celebrating. We begin in historic Cuneo at the elegant four-star Hotel Principe di Piemonte, and then head into the secluded Maira Valley, where the real charm begins. There, we stay in intimate, family-run locande—boutique inns that blend rustic character with modern comfort. Built from local stone, slate, and timber, each property has been lovingly restored, with contemporary touches where they matter most: inviting lounges, stylish bathrooms, and cozy nooks perfect for unwinding after a day on the trail. Every room is different, and each locanda offers peaceful outdoor spaces where you can soak up the sun, savor a drink, and breathe in the fresh mountain air. Meals are a highlight, served in beautifully restored dining rooms and prepared with genuine care. Best of all, the welcome is warm and personal, offered by the families who live and work in these special places.