All photos, unless otherwise noted, are by Alessio Gerthoux.
TREKKING
BIG TREKKING
THE OCCITAN TRAILS
The great trekking route of the Maira Valley, a long trail in 14 stages ranging from 600 to over 2,700 meters in altitude. The Occitan Trails stop at the Campo Base arriving from Ussolo through the Colle Sarasin and continue towards Chialvetta to cross the Colle Ciarbonet.
VIA ALPINA
The extraordinary trekking adventure across the eight Alpine countries – stops at the Campo Base at the junction of the blue and red trails! On the blue route between Larche (Ubayette Valley) and Ussolo, on the red route between Maljasset (Upper Ubaye) and Chialvetta.
GTA GRANDE TRAVERSATA DELLE ALPI
The Grande Traversata of the Piedmont Alps stops at the Campo Base along the “high valleys” route, between the Colle di Enchiausa, towards Chialvetta, and the Colle di Bellino, towards the Varaita Valley.
CAVALLERO TRAIL
Five challenging days at high altitude among the bivouacs of the upper Maira Valley, in an extraordinary journey retracing ancient paths. A fantastic adventure through the wildest and most remote corners of our wonderful valley. Inaugurated in 1992, the Cavallero is reserved for expert and well-trained hikers!
CHAMBEYRON TOUR
The most famous trekking between the Maira and Ubaye valleys, in five days between Italy and France around the Brec and Aiguille de Chambeyron, the highest mountains in the area and symbols of the Southern Cottian Alps, montagnes sans frontières. Departure possible from Campo Base or Chialvetta (Italy), Maljasset or Larche (France).
MONGIOIA TOUR
The Gran Tour, three valleys and five stages between Italy and France around the Mongioia, passing through the beautiful villages of Bellino, Chianale, and Maljasset and the unmissable Blue Lakes. Or the Piccolo Tour in three rather challenging days, but with the great satisfaction of reaching the 3,340 meters of the summit of this giant of the Cottian Alps!
ORONAYE TOUR
In five stages, a fabulous loop around the rugged Monte Oronaye, passing through the beautiful villages of Fouillouse and St. Ours and crossing the plateaus around the Colle della Maddalena. A trek rich in historical insights as well, passing by 19th-century forts and modern bunkers of the Maginot Line and the Alpine Wall.
SAUTRON TOUR
Four stages through the wild valleys between Maira and Ubaye, dotted with beautiful alpine lakes, around the imposing Monte Sautron; or in two days, condensing into a weekend the discovery of the great beauty of the Alps of the Italian-French valleys!
SOUBEYRAN TOUR
An easy two-day trekking, ideal for a weekend or a short stay between Maira and Ubaye, offering a taste of the unspoiled nature of the Italian-French Cottian Alps.
THE BEST EXCURSIONS
ICARDI TRAIL
A challenging and thrilling loop to experience the power of the Stroppia Waterfalls, the enchantment of the Vallonasso and Nove Colori lakes, and the ruggedness of the Brec and Aiguille de Chambeyron cliffs. For expert and well-trained hikers, it can be split into two days with an overnight stay at the Barenghi Bivouac.
D+ 1,260 m, max altitude 2,950 m.
FRASSATI TRAIL
A magnificent moderately challenging loop touching the beautiful Visaisa and d’Apzoi lakes, among rocks, high-altitude meadows, and fortifications of the Alpine Wall, walking along trails built by the military seventy years ago before the absurd war against France. A hike rich in history, nature, and dreamlike landscapes!
D+ 930 m, max altitude 2,539 m.
CASTELLO PROVENZALE TOUR
One of the most spectacular loops in the entire Maira Valley, with limited elevation gain and distance, making it suitable even for families. The landscape is dominated by the dizzying cliffs of the Rocca, and in spring, the large groups of ibex that live here offer an extra point of interest for both adults and children!
D+ 680 m, max altitude 2,319 m.
BELLINO TOUR
A long high-altitude loop crossing diverse environments with constantly stunning views: from the cliffs of Rocca Castello to the solitary Val Fissela, and the pastures of the Vallone dell’Autaret – an exhilarating journey!
D+ 1,400 m (1,140 m if starting from Grange Collet), max altitude 2,942 m.
CERVET E EIGHIER MOUNT
A splendid itinerary offering an extraordinary view of Rocca Castello and, often, encounters with ibex and chamois that love these sunny slopes and the shelter of the old military outpost on Monte Eighier.
D+ 1,300 m, max altitude 2,984 m.
ROURE LAKES
A high-mountain loop along old smugglers’ trails leading to wild, little-visited lakes at the foot of the Aiguille de Chambeyron, the highest peak in the area, and its small glaciers.
Incredible landscapes and unspoiled nature — the perfect ingredients for a day of hiking.
D+ 870 m, max altitude 2,830 m.
MANIGLIA MOUNT
A solitary three-thousander stretching between Maira, Varaita, and Ubaye, offering an extraordinary panorama—from the Chambeyron to the Monviso group, from the Ecrins to the Maritime Alps.
D+ 1,500 m (1,300 m from Grange Collet), max altitude 3,177 m.
SAUTRON MOUNT
Mount Sautron rises imposingly on the Italian-French border between the Maira and Ubayette valleys. The ascent is long and requires caution when climbing past the rocky barrier of the Stroppia Waterfalls, but it offers a magnificent panorama over the peaks of the Cottian and Maritime Alps.
D+ 1,450 m, max altitude 3,166 m.
TÊTE DE LA FREMA
An incredible panoramic balcony over the Lago dei Nove Colori, with the Brec and Aiguille de Chambeyron reflected in its waters. A long ascent and a hanging valley reached by the daring trail built by the Alpini, right next to the fabulous Stroppia Waterfalls.
D+ 1,500 m, max altitude 3,142 m.
ALBRAGE MOUNT
A little-known and rarely visited peak, but rich in natural and historical interest – with trails built by the Alpini and Alpine Wall fortifications just a few meters from the summit – standing just one meter below the “three-thousanders.”
D+ 1,450 m, max altitude 2,999 m.
VIRAYSSE E SOUBEYRAN MOUNTS
A little-known and rarely visited peak, but rich in natural and historical interest – with trails built by the Alpini and Alpine Wall fortifications just a few meters from the summit – standing just one meter below the “three-thousanders.”
D+ 1,450 m, max altitude 2,999 m.
ROCCA PROVENZALE
Salita di carattere alpinistico (diff. F+/PD), molto aerea ed esposta, con percorso a volte difficile da individuare e seguire: consigliamo pertanto di intraprendere l’ascesa accompagnati da una Guida Alpina. Assolutamente da evitare in caso di pioggia o con meteo incerto: la roccia lichenata diventa estremamente scivolosa e pericolosa!
Mountain sports are potentially dangerous activities and should only be undertaken with the proper equipment and preparation. We recommend checking the weather and avalanche forecasts before setting off on a hike and/or contacting a guide for accompaniment. Campo Base S.r.l. disclaims any responsibility for the advice and itineraries provided here, which should be personally assessed based on weather and snow conditions.