The Italian Alps: the Val Maira

Arrival late afternoon in Preit.
Dinner and night in a typical hostelry in the village centre.
Jacuzzi available (supplement).

13 km - total uphill 800m - approx time 4hrs30
The Lago Nero is a little gem in the Val Maira - a pretty glacial lake with glints of turquoise, it is surrounded by blueberry and larch trees, and rhododendrons. From the lake you get a lovely view of the so-called 'Giant of Piedmont' - Mount Viso, a heady 3841 metres!
This walk is a good warm-up stage, climbing steadily up to the lake on fine trails then down along a typical Piedmontese track. A good opportunity to make acquaintance with the characteristic architecture of the Canto of Canosio.

Dinner and night in a typical hostelry.

8 km - total uphill 766m - approx time 4hrs.
The first objective on this second day is to reach the small village of Chialvetta in the neighbouring valley of the Unerzio, following a route that alternates between forest and alpine pasture. The climb from Preit leads to the farm of the Soleglio, from which the track rises across the meadows to the Col de Soleglio Blue. The descent towards Chialvetta begins in enchanting scenery. Marmottes, chamois and larch forest enhance the picturebook surroundings. The village of Chialvetta is composed of typical pretty houses and has a superb church.

Dinner and night in a typical hostelry.

15 km - total uphill 935m - approx time 6hrs

The ascent to the Gardetta pass is progressive and follows the torrent.
You are on one of the paths of the Occitan routes and you benefit from a good marking.
You will encounter several military forts dug into gypsum outcrops, marked by the characteristic dolines and natural chasms created by the karstic phenomenon. When you reach the Gardetta plateau, it takes 20 minutes to reach the refuge. An incredible and wide panorama opens to you. 

Dinner and night in a typical hostelry.

13km - total uphill 746m- approx time 5hrs.
Today's walk links the villages of Chialvetta and Saretto by the Col (pass) de Ciarbonet, altitude 2206 metres. First you go into the Valley of Unerzio, through the pretty hamlet of Pratorotondo and the refuge of Viviere. Then a track across the meadows brings you to the pass at Ciarbonet.
From this 'col' you go down through a majestic larch wood down to the campsite at Sorgenti di Maira and the sources of the river Maira before reaching Saretto.

Dinner and night in a typical hostelry.

16km - total uphill 1050m - approx time 5hrs.
Easy track : 12 km uphill 800m
This long ramble starting from Saretto takes you past no less than five mountain lakes, of which the two most remarkable in the upper Val Maira are those of Visaisa and Apzoi.
The route passes then goes up into the Mélézins before reaching the authentic high alpine stage. Chamois and marmottes are often seen, along with an ever-present multitude of alpine flora.
Over 30% of the route is at more than 2300m, near the French border among scattered traces of the First and Second World Wars.

Dinner and night in a typical hostelry.

15km - total uphill 812 m - approx time: 4 hrs30.
The Rocca Provenzale is the remarkable summit of the Val Maira. During this walk you will see it from close up as you go over the Col Greguri at 2300 metres.
What a variety of landscape today... some fashioned by human activity around Chiappera, or others more remote and rocky where only mountaineers and Ibex master the situation!

Departure.
Possibility to extend your stay at accomodation in Elva a typical village.