Piedmont Peaks and Valleys

We begin our adventure by picking you up at 09:00 and heading towards the mountains. Our first stop is the impressive Filatoio di Caraglio, a castle-like structure and the oldest silk manufacturing complex in Europe, built between 1676 and 1678. Recently restored, this beautiful mill offers a glimpse into the past. We'll enjoy a private 1-hour tour before continuing our journey into the valley. As we drive, the road narrows, following the rushing waters of the Maira River. A sharp right-hand turn takes us up a steep incline to the "Locanda del Silenzio," the first of three exquisite family-run boutique hotels we'll experience this week. From our charming mountain inn, we'll set out on an easy hike, offering your first views of the stone villages that dot the steep valley sides and the towering mountain peaks that are in the near distance. The gentle path leads us to a lovely trattoria for a delicious lunch. Afterward, we'll hike uphill back to the Locanda, but don't worry—it's not far. Alternatively, you can relax in the village, and your guide will return in about 90 minutes to pick you up. You’ll have time to take a dip in the pool or just take in the view from the deckchairs before reconvening for a delicious 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  Included: Hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

After breakfast, a 20-minute drive brings us to the trailhead.  We slip into a beech-and-oak forest and follow a hidden trail to a long-abandoned stone village—rooflines still intact, balconies leaning, and a few ghostly relics hinting at lives once lived. From the woods, we emerge into broad alpine pastures with big valley views and distant peaks. Soon we reach a once-deserted hamlet now beautifully restored, where we visit Lo Puy, a family-run farm. The Giraudo family keeps a herd of Saanen goats and makes cheese on-site, following age-old rhythms—from seasonal grazing and haymaking to traditional, small-batch production. Their award-winning cheeses are made from raw goat’s milk with no added cultures, capturing the character of the land. We’ll finish with a guided tasting of their cheeses paired with four of Lo Puy’s artisanal ciders, all enjoyed together during lunch. We have an afternoon loop hike from Lo Puy before returning to the peaceful Locanda del Silenzio, where you can relax in the garden, take a dip in the pool, and admire the stunning mountain views. Dinner at the Locanda. Overnight: Locanda del Silenzio. The Hike: Morning 5 km / 3 mi  Elevation gain/loss: 290m / 920ft  Duration 2 hrs. Afternoon: 5km / 3mi  Elevation gain/loss: 250m / 800 ft  Duration  2 hrs. Included: Hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.   

We have created a high Alpine experience for you today, without the pain of slogging uphill for hours! We'll take you high above the tree line in the van to the trailhead, where sweeping views of impressive peaks surround you. Your hike follows a broad ridgeline that undulates before descending to a charming alpine hut, perfect for a late-morning cappuccino. Don't miss their homemade blueberry cake, made with wild berries picked from nearby meadows—it's a treat you won't forget. Afterward, you'll have a climb back up to our van, or you can relax in the deck chairs outside the hut and soak up the scenery before being picked up a little later. A short 5 km van transfer along a stunning one-lane mountain road brings us to La Meiro, where Giorgio and Andrea, a father-son duo, have revived the once-abandoned family farm and created a lovely little restaurant offering a menu of time-honored dishes from the valleys. The Castelmagno gnocchi are an absolute must-try. After lunch, you can either take an easy downhill hike directly to the hotel or skip the hike and arrive by van. Our home for the next two nights is the family-run Locanda Lou Pitavin, a charming retreat established 25 years ago in a beautifully renovated stone hamlet. Here you will enjoy comfort, exquisite cuisine, and sublime scenery. Dinner will be served tonight on the terrace (weather permitting) or in the ancient stone barn, which has been stylishly repurposed for a memorable dining experience. Overnight: Locanda Lou Pitavin. The Morning Loop Hike: 4 km /2.5 miles  Elevation gain/loss: 200m / 660 feet Duration  1.5 hrs. The Afternoon Hike: 2.3 km/1.4 miles. Elevation loss 260m /830 feet  Duration: 45 minutes. Included: Hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

Today's hike takes you on a journey through the valley's rich history, as you explore trails and roads that have been used for centuries. You'll trek from village to hamlet to farmhouse, winding through dense beech forests that eventually give way to sweeping vistas and cobbled lanes in tiny, picturesque hamlets. A short, tranquil hike along a babbling brook will lead you back to the serene oasis of Lou Pitavin. Before dinner, we will be joined by Marco, the owner of Lou Pitavin. He will share his fascinating story of how he restored his grandfather's house into the lovely Locanda we enjoy today. He will also give you insights into the valley's past and the present-day challenges it faces. The day concludes with a delightful dinner at Lou Pitavin, where you can relax and savor the flavors of the region. Overnight: Locanda Lou Pitavin. Overnight: Locanda Lou Pitavin.  The Morning Hike: 8.9 kms/5.6 miles. Elevation gain and loss: 530m / 1,700 feet. Duration: 3.5 hours. Optional Afternoon Hike: 4.4 kms/2.8 mi, Elevation gain and loss 220m/700ft, Duration: 1.5 hours. Included: Hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  

We set out on a very rewarding journey through the lovely hamlets of Stroppo, where cobbled lanes wind past stone houses with slate roofs and slender church spires rise above the rooftops. Midday, we stop for a delicious lunch at the warm and welcoming Locanda Morenesio, where local flavors shine in traditional dishes. In the afternoon, a short but rewarding hike leads us to the dramatic Fremo Cuncuna—a rock ledge that juts out 1,000 meters above the valley floor. The view from its airy perch is unforgettable (and not for the faint of heart!). We finish our walk in Elva and settle into the peaceful Le Colonne Resort, a charming family-run locanda with just eight rooms. Relax in the spa, book a massage, and get ready for a superb dinner prepared by owner and chef Michele—another highlight of the trip. 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’ll take a 20-minute van ride to the Colle di Sampeyre, one of the highest paved roads in Europe at 2,284 meters. To the north is the peak of Monviso, which is a craggy, often snow-capped beacon.  Our hike is an out-and-back, and leads us towards the shark-toothed Monte Chersogno. We have a picnic lunch at a high Alpine Lake, where we have an immense view over the surrounding mountains and valleys. We’ll return to Le Colonne to enjoy some well-earned spa time before celebrating a week of unforgettable exploration, exquisite food and wine, and the warm, genuine hospitality we’ve experienced in the Maira Valley. Overnight: Resort Le Colonne - Elva.  The Hike:  12.1km / 7.6mi Elevation gain/loss 590m /1,880 feet. Duration 4.5 hours. Included: Hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  

08:15 departure from Elva to arrive at the Cuneo train station in time for the 10:12 train to Torino. From Torino, you can transfer to another train and arrive at Torino airport by 12:26. If you're flying out from Torino today, please book a flight that departs after 14:30. If you wish to continue your travels in Italy, numerous trains connect through Torino to all other destinations in Italy. From Torino, it takes three hours to get to Milan. Breakfast and one group transfer included. 

Breakfast and one group transfer included.

Please note: Some details of the itinerary may change according to the departure date of your tour. Whenever we run a tour, we make discoveries. Sometimes they are good discoveries, like a wonderful new trattoria, and sometimes bad, like a trail has been washed away. Therefore, we sometimes change our itinerary to improve it by adding wonderful new elements or by removing something that does not work anymore. Rest assured; we always aim to provide you with the best possible experience. We will advise you of any changes to the original itinerary before departure.

The Hotels: At Customwalks we don’t usually go on about our hotels, but this tour really has some special properties. Our journey begins in the heart of historic Cuneo at the elegant four-star Hotel Principi di Piemonte, but the true magic unfolds in the hidden corners of the Maira Valley. Here, we stay in charming, family-run Locande—boutique inns that blend rustic beauty with modern comfort. Lovingly restored with local stone, slate, and timber, each one features contemporary touches where it counts—such as in the bathrooms and thoughtfully designed cozy spaces where you can relax in comfort at the end of your hike. No two rooms are alike, and each Locanda offers peaceful outdoor spots where you can bask in the sun, breathe in the mountain air, and enjoy a cool drink before dinner. Meals are a highlight—served in beautifully restored dining rooms and prepared with heartfelt care. Best of all, the welcome is sincere and personal, offered by the very families who call these places home.