FOLIAGE TRAIL
Twelve itineraries spread across the entire territory of the Valle Maira, ideal for the months of October and November, when the colors of the foliage explode: from the larch forests of Elva and Acceglio to the chestnut woods of Villar San Costanzo, an extraordinary variety of botanical species, climates, and landscapes creates a unique ensemble of a thousand shades of red, yellow, and orange.
The itineraries are marked and photographed by the nature guide Enrico Collo.
VILLAR SAN COSTANZO' S CICIU TRAIL
Itinerary
The lower section, in the Nature Reserve, is an easy walk in the woods, suitable for everyone and enriched by the illustrated panels of Ciciuvagando; the upper section features a steep but short climb up to the dirt road of Costa Pragamonti. From there, a loop leads to Colle Liretta and the paragliding launch area, with a splendid view over the Cuneo plain.
The upper section can be ridden by MTB by climbing via the Foresti road to Colle Liretta, where one reconnects with the “Cannons Road”: descent on a comfortable dirt track to Morra di Villar or along technical trails towards the Colletta di Rossana.
Start: Cascina Bruna, Villar San Costanzo.
Elevation gain: 450 m.
Maximum altitude: 1,087 m.
Duration: 3h30′
ROCCABRUNA'S CASTLASS
Itinerary
Easy hike suitable for everyone, with a single climb from the starting point to the fork for Boscuola. At the foot of Mount Rocceré, the forest track turns into a beautiful trail that, skirting the Combal del Duc, reaches the Rocca del Castlass in a pleasant descent—this is a climbing area overlooked by the ruins of a medieval tower. From the junction of three dirt roads, continue flat to the right towards Sant’Anna, passing beneath Rocca Cubiera. Along the route, many points of interest: the Sentieri della Libertà (Paths of Freedom), which commemorate the partisans who found refuge in these mountains during 1943–1944, the rock engravings of Rocceré, and the ancient pyrite mine.
Start: S.Anna di Roccabruna.
Elevation gain: 225 m.
Maximum altitude: 1,475 m.
Duration: 2h30′
COLLE TEJÉ OF SAN DAMIANO MACRA
Itinerary
Hike on the southern slope of San Damiano, through a shaded beech forest, with clusters of Scots pine on the sunniest ridges. From Piazza Caduti, a steep downhill road leads to cross the Maira river below the dam. Skirting the artificial lake, one reaches a votive pillar with a beautiful view of the village, the Vallone di Pagliero—inhabited since Roman times—and Mount Rubbio. After passing the isolated hamlet of Messore, climb to Colle Tejé, on the watershed with the Vallone di Santa Margherita di Dronero. On the descent, the route also passes Borgata Poca before retracing the outward path back toward the lake.
Start: San Damiano Macra.
Elevation gain: 400 m.
Maximum altitude: 1,149 m.
Duration: 3h00′
THE CYCLAMEN TRAIL OF MACRA
Itinerary
Easy loop hike among the hamlets of Macra, with a first section featuring a pleasant climb along the stream through a broadleaf forest; beyond Caricatori, the path winds through Scots pines, which give way to beeches in the shady hollows and to birches. These latter, being pioneer plants, are recolonizing the slope after the devastating fire of the 1990s. Downstream from Camoglieres, there are some yew trees, which are quite rare in the area. Of great interest is the architecture of the hamlets crossed—especially Camoglieres and Caricatori—as well as the Danse Macabre frescoed on the Chapel of San Pietro.
Start: Macra, Town Hall.
Elevation gain: 270 m.
Maximum altitude: 1,067 m.
Duration: 2h30′
CASTELLARO'S HAMLET IN CELLE MACRA
Itinerary
The trail starts behind the parish church and gently climbs up to Castellaro, overlooking the mid-valley with a beautiful view of the Chersogno–Pelvo d’Elva group. Above the hamlet, the path continues to Pian della Colla, surrounded by larches, from where it descends into the Comba del Soglio along the Gta trail. In Soglio, the route intersects with the wide level dirt road connecting Paglieres to Celle, which runs first through beeches and then again through larches. From the Castellaro junction, follow the descending trail toward Ansoleglio and Borgata Chiesa, where the hike can end with a visit to the Anchovy Sellers Museum.
Start: Celle Macra, Borgata Chiesa.
Elevation gain: 300 m.
Maximum altitude: 1,560 m.
Duration: 2h45′
STROPPO'S BOWL
Itinerary
This route, which follows the ancient communication paths between the hamlets, starts from Paschero, from where a small road leads to Borgata Arneodi. Climbing through the forest, one reaches San Martino. Turn right toward Cucchiales (recommended detour to the Devil’s Cave) and, along a trail, continue to Morinesio and the hilltop where the Sanctuary of Santa Maria stands, offering a grand panorama. A quick descent leads to San Peyre and then back to the starting point. In Paschero, one can visit the small Escolo del Mountahno Museum, while all the hamlets along the way display remarkable examples of Alpine architecture, some dating back to the late medieval period—the era of greatest splendor of the Upper Valle Maira.
Start: Stroppo, Borgata Paschero.
Elevation gain: 480 m.
Maximum altitude: 1,570 m.
Duration: 4h00′
A SPASS PER LOU VIOL DI ELVA
Itinerary
At the starting point in Serre, it is possible to visit the Parish Church with frescoes by Hans Clemer and the Museum of Pels, dedicated to the craft of the “cavié”. The walk runs at first through the heart of the larch forest, up to Colle San Giovanni, from where you can enjoy the view toward the Gorge, Pelvo, and Chersogno, with the scent of resin in the air. A short stretch of dirt road leads to the paved road, then the path continues at mid-slope, mostly flat, returning to Serre via the beautiful houses of Borgata Martini. Worth visiting, in addition to the Parish Church, are the House of the Sundial and the Chapel of San Giovanni, located along the 18th-century “Strada dei Cannoni”, built by the Piedmontese during the war of 1744 and later restored by Napoleonic troops.
Start: Elva, Borgata Serre.
Elevation gain: 300 m.
Maximum altitude: 1,941 m.
Duration: 2h45′
CANOSIO'S ROCCA CORNA
Itinerary
Groups of cherry trees greet the hiker at Colle San Giovanni, from where the dirt road continues to Colletto di Canosio. The trail enters the larch woods and, first following the ridge and then traversing mid-slope sections (to be avoided if snow-covered), crosses rocky outcrops and eventually reaches the split summit. Alternatively, one can reach Grange Celletta on the shaded side facing Prazzo, walking through an exceptional silver-green fir forest, with trees bearing cones that resemble stork nests on top. In Canosio, don’t miss the architecture of Borgata Ubac or, further uphill beyond Preit, that of Casa Corte.
Start: Canosio, Colle San Giovanni.
Elevation gain: 725 m.
Maximum altitude: 2,374 m.
Duration: 3h30′
MARMORA'S HAMLETS
Itinerary
The route runs along the sunny slope, an ideal place to enjoy the contrasts of light and shadow. At the Marmora–Canosio junction, take the trail next to the hydroelectric plant, reaching Finello and San Sebastiano. The dirt road then leads to Torello and Garino, on a wide grassy area. Passing through Urzio and Arvaglia, the route climbs to Grange Giove Inferiore, where a dirt road descends to Sagna Rotonda and the Parish Church of San Massimo. From here, descend to Reinero and then Vernetti, almost back to the starting point.
The hamlets of Marmora are rich in valuable historical heritage, such as the Chapel of San Sebastiano, with its fresco cycle by Baleison, and the Parish Church of San Massimo, with its sundials. The more observant will notice the large cornerstones of the houses, recovered from the collapse of the ancient parish church.
Start: Marmora – Canosio junction.
Elevation gain: 460 m.
Maximum altitude: 1,650 m.
Duration: 3h30′
LOU VIOL DAL GENISTÉ IN PRAZZO
Itinerary
Lou Viol dal Genisté is a loop trail that crosses a variety of environments: from larch woods to Scots pine forests, from meadows with juniper and lavender to rocky walls colonized by Genista cinerea, a plant found only in Piedmont and Liguria. From San Michele, the trail reaches San Vittore, with its chapel perched on a panoramic hill. The route continues flat toward Passo Ruvera, overlooking the Vallone d’Elva, then climbs the easy ridge up to the pass at 1,632 meters. A gentle mid-slope dirt road leads to Borgata Allemandi, where the Percorso Occitano trail takes you back to the starting point. Don’t miss the facade of the former Town Hall of San Michele di Prazzo, painted in the 19th century with portraits of the “fathers of the homeland,” Vittorio Emanuele II and Cavour. Along the route, it’s not uncommon to encounter roe deer and red deer, or to spot large birds of prey like eagles and bearded vultures.
Start: San Michele di Prazzo.
Elevation gain: 280 m.
Maximum altitude: 1,650 m.
Duration: 2h00′
UNERZIO'S VALLONE IN ACCEGLIO
Itinerary
In front of the church of Chialvetta begins the ancient trail that follows the stream up to the meadows surrounding Pratorotondo, where you can visit the restored rye-grinding mill. Higher up, the trail climbs the glacial moraine to the hilltop of Viviere, a hamlet now fully restored. The warm embrace of the larch trees accompanies the hiker up to Prato Ciorliero, along the military road flanked by imposing fortifications. On the way back, two short loop detours allow for stunning views toward Passo della Gardetta and Oronaye. Worth visiting at the start is the ethnographic museum La Misoun d’en bot: information available at the Trattoria della Gardetta.
Start: Chialvetta.
Elevation gain: 460 m.
Maximum altitude: 1,950 m.
Duration: 3h00′
ADMIRING PROVENZALE – CHIAPPERA
Itinerary
This hike can start from Saretto, Chiappera, or from the Campo Base Refuge. Between the two hamlets, it is recommended to walk through the larch forest on the southern side of the lake in the morning and take the panoramic Crocetta dirt road in the afternoon, to enjoy the warm sunset. Above Chiappera, the route continues to Campo Base, then proceeds flat along the stream, passing through willows at the foot of the Castello–Provenzale group, toward the cliffs from which, in spring, the Stroppia Waterfalls plunge. Don’t miss the architecture of Saretto and Chiappera, and the solitary military cemetery of Saretto, a silent witness to difficult times.
Start: Campo Base Refuge.
Elevation gain: 160 m.
Maximum altitude: 1,690 m.
Duration: 2h30′
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.