Hiking in Valle Maira
One of the best-loved walking valleys in the western Alps: the Percorsi Occitani, the Grande Traversata delle Alpi and hundreds of trails among hamlets, passes and high pastures.
The Percorsi Occitani
The Percorsi Occitani are the hiking route that runs the whole length of Valle Maira. Created in the 1990s from a shared idea between local authorities and the valley's hoteliers, today they are organised in 13 stages covering about 100 km.
The route starts from the plain at Villar San Costanzo and takes in Sant'Anna di Roccabruna, Macra, Stroppo, Elva, Prazzo, Acceglio and Marmora, among stone hamlets, passes and high pastures. At the end of each stage there is a stage stop — a hotel, an alpine refuge or a walkers' hostel — with intermediate support points in between.
Trails are waymarked in yellow with signposts, and can be walked, ridden on horseback or cycled by mountain bike. For the up-to-date stage details see the official Percorsi Occitani website.
The Grande Traversata delle Alpi (GTA)
The Grande Traversata delle Alpi is the long-distance route crossing the Piedmontese Alps: about 1,000 km in 55 stages, from the Ligurian Alps to the Maritime, Cottian, Graian and Pennine Alps. Valle Maira lies on its route too.
Created in the late 1970s on the model of the French Grande Traversée des Alpes, the GTA was designed to open up the lesser-known mountains, supported by a network of stage stops. More on the Grande Traversata delle Alpi Wikipedia entry.
Percorsi Occitani or GTA?
The Percorsi Occitani are a 13-stage loop of about 100 km entirely within Valle Maira. The Grande Traversata delle Alpi is a far longer route — 55 stages and roughly 1,000 km — crossing the whole Piedmontese Alpine arc, Valle Maira included.
Two different ways of walking the mountains: the first stays entirely within Valle Maira, the second crosses it as part of a far longer journey.
| Percorsi Occitani | GTA | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Loop within Valle Maira | Traverse of the Piedmontese Alps |
| Length | about 100 km | about 1,000 km |
| Stages | 13 | 55 |
| Where | Entirely in Valle Maira | 5 Alpine ranges, incl. Valle Maira |
| Created | 1990s | Late 1970s |
| Support | Stage stops in the valley | Network of stage stops |
Chiappera and the Rocca Provenzale
Climbing towards Acceglio and the hamlet of Chiappera, the valley changes character: spires and rock walls create some of the most spectacular Dolomite-like scenery in the western Alps, dominated by the Rocca Provenzale. This is the home of the valley's most scenic routes, among side valleys, alpine lakes and high pastures.
Here, as throughout the valley, you often walk alone: no ski lifts, no crowds — just trails, silence and wildlife.
Snowshoeing and ski touring
In winter the same trails become terrain for snowshoeing and ski touring, far from the crowds of the big ski resorts. Proper equipment, experience and close attention to snow conditions are essential. Guide to winter in Valle Maira
Before setting off, in any season, check the valley weather and assess the ascent and duration of your route.
Hiking in Valle Maira: FAQ
What are the Percorsi Occitani?
A hiking route running the whole length of Valle Maira, created in the 1990s by local authorities and the valley's hoteliers. Today it is organised in 13 stages covering about 100 km, with stage stops in hotels and refuges.
What is the Grande Traversata delle Alpi (GTA)?
A long-distance route of about 1,000 km in 55 stages crossing the Piedmontese Alps — Ligurian, Maritime, Cottian, Graian and Pennine — and passing through Valle Maira. It was created in the late 1970s.
How long does the Percorsi Occitani trek take?
It depends how many stages you walk: the full loop takes about two weeks, but shorter loops and traverses of a few days are possible, using the valley's stage stops.
Do you need to be an experienced hiker in Valle Maira?
No. Alongside the harder stages there are easy walks among the hamlets and in the valley-floor woods. As always in the mountains, check ascent, duration and weather before setting off.
Can you hike in Valle Maira in winter?
Yes, but in winter the summer trails become terrain for snowshoeing and ski touring: proper equipment and attention to snow conditions are essential. Always check the valley weather first.
Stay in the valley, start from the trail
An albergo diffuso among the hamlets of Elva and holiday homes in San Damiano Macra: the ideal base for walking in Valle Maira.