Trek the historic paths used by King Vittorio Emanuele II in the Italian Alps
Discover an array of stunning paths carved into the Maritime Alps Nature Park in Italy. On this 8-day guided tour, you’ll get the chance to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and totally immerse into nature, where bodies of water sit surrounded by an amphitheatre of jagged peaks and rifugios keep you warm and cozy as the stars light the night sky.
In the 1800s, King Vittorio Emanuele II visited this natural oasis. He fell in love with the woodland creatures dotting the landscape, so he had trails explicitly built for his hunting pleasures, which have now evolved into exceptional hiking opportunities. Amid the alpine meadows, soaring peaks, and shimmering lakes, you’ll likely encounter ibex, marmots, chamois, eagles and the bearded vulture. Expect to hike between 5-17 km daily on this guided once-in-a-lifetime hiking adventure!
Highlights of the Trekking Italy’s Southwest Alps
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Trekking Italy’s Southwest Alps Tour
Day 1 Arrive in Nice or Milan
You can either arrive by plane in Nice or Milan before you transfer to your hotel. From these airports, you'll either travel to Cuneo or Terme di Valdieri; both places are in Italy. If your flight's timing allows, you can enjoy walking around either of these towns upon arrival. Enjoy a delicious dinner and a cozy night at your hotel!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Cuneo/ Terme di Valdieri
Distance: None
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Start your hiking adventure
Transfer to Terme di Valdieri (unless you ended up staying the night here) and begin your hiking adventure! En route to Valasco, you’ll pass by three stunning alpine lakes: Portette, Claus, and Valscura. You may also stop for a fulfilling lunch at Rifugio Questa—there’s also the option to stay here overnight. Eventually, you’ll stop at Rifugio Valasco and enjoy a cozy night at this former royal hunting lodge.
Overnight Location: Rifugio Valasco
Distance: 6.5 hours, 17 km, 1000 m ascent, 700 m descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 Go to Terme di Valdieri
Get ready for another day of hiking! Today you will walk over the Valasco pass towards Fremamorta lakes, bordered by jagged peaks. You’ll also get a chance to admire the tallest mountain in the Maritime Alps: the Argentera massif. From here, descend until you reach Terme di Valdieri.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Terme di Valdieri
Distance: 5.75 hours, 14 km, 670 m ascent, 1300 m descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Hike to Refugio Genova
Enjoy a delicious breakfast before heading on another hiking adventure. Walk to Gelas di Lourosa, an everlasting glacier. After some walking, there’s the chance of stopping at the Morelli-Buzzi refuge for lunch. Continue into the Rovina valley and hike over the Colle del Chiapous pass, which will lead you to a view of an artificial reservoir. Consume a tasty dinner upon arrival at Refugio Genova!
Overnight Location: Rifugio Genova-Figari
Distance: 6.5 hours, 17km, 1200 m ascent, 600 m descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Hike to Passo del Brocan
Prepare for a steeper excursion today! You’ll walk up to the Brocan Pass, meandering between gneiss, granite rocks. Look out for chamois and ibex as you walk. Enjoy overlooking the towering Maritime and Cozie Alps. If you want more adventure, you can continue until the Mercantour – Ghiglié Pass, where a staggering vista of the French Alps and the Mediterranean Sea await.
Overnight Location: Rifugio Genova-Figari
Distance: 5.5 hours, 10 km, 890 m ascent, 890 m descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 Hike to Rifugio Soria
Consume breakfast before following another mountain pass—Colle di Fenestrelle—to Barra valley. Keep your eye out for more chamois and ibex as you walk. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon relaxing at the refuge.
Overnight Location: Rifugio Soria-Ellena
Distance: 3.5 hours, 10 km, 500 m ascent, 600 m descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 Go to the Colle di Fenestrelle
Head back to the Colle di Fenestrelle, the mountain pass, on today’s hiking journey. Encounter views of the French Alps and the Mediterranean Sea!
Overnight Location: Rifugio Soria-Ellena
Distance: 3.5 hours, 6 km, 660 m ascent, 660 m descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 Transfer to the airport
Enjoy breakfast before descending to San Giacomo, a quaint Italian mountain village. From here, you will receive a transfer to Cuneo and to the airports in Nice and Milan.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 2 hours, 5 km, 660 m descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Trekking Italy’s Southwest Alps Tour Price and Dates
This guided trekking tour in Italy is always run as a private tour for your group only, therefore the price always depends on the number of people in your group. Please note, that the prices might change depending on the season and the availability of the hotels.
Prices below are per person:
- Guided Groups of 2-3: from $3,925 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 4-5: from $2,550 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 6-7: from $2,095 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 8+: on request
Accommodation on the Trekking Italy’s Southwest Alps Tour
Expect to stay in a combination of hotels and huts on this tour. They each offer modern amenities that work to elevate the total comfort of your stay. Keep in mind that you will share a room with another member of this tour. Single travellers or those wanting to stay alone will have to pay an additional fee.
Please note that the accommodation listed below may be swapped for other similar places.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You must a supplement to have a private room in a hotel. Please enquire to find the pricing out.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel Royal Terme di Valdieri in Terme di Valdieri ★★★
Bask in total relaxation at this hotel! Take advantage of the pool, sauna, spa, gym, and bar.
Rifugio Valasco in Valasco
Enjoy a cozy, warm night in this refuge backed by soaring peaks, where welcoming vibes and mountain views will keep you happy and comfortable.
Hotel Royal Terme di Valdieri in Terme di Valdieri ★★★
Bask in total relaxation at this hotel! Take advantage of the pool, sauna, spa, gym, and bar.
Rifugio Genova-Figari in Strada Comunale Rovine
Enjoy this cozy mountain hut that offers the necessary amenities to promote comfort after a long day of hiking.
Rifugio Soria-Ellena in Pian del Praiet
This quaint mountain hut provides the perfect post-hiking refuge! Enjoy the WiFi, restaurant, and bar during your stay.
What’s included in the Trekking Italy’s Southwest Alps Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights along the tour. Accommodations before and after the tour are not included.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation includes transfers to and from the Nice airport, and to the trailhead. Transfer from Milano Malpensa Airport can be arranged for an extra fee.
Also Included
- International Mountain Leader certified guide
- Agency technical support
Not included
- Flights to get to and from Milan or Nice
- Accommodation before and after the tour
- Travel insurance
- Personal equipment
- Beverages
Optional Extras
- You can upgrade to a single occupancy for a fee
- Extra fee for airport transfers to/from Malpensa Airport
- Half-day excursion in Cuneo: $125 USD
- Tips for the crew
Frequently Asked Questions about Trekking Italy’s Southwest Alps
Tortuga Viaggi is a boutique Italian tour operator based in Cuneo, Italy. Through their guide Luca Giraudo, they offer tours in Mercantour National Park in France, while also in Piemonte, Liguria, and Alpi Marritime Natural Park Piemonte in Italy. Luca is a trained ornithologist as well as an International Mountain Leader. Let Luca and his team show you some of the most incredible places in this part of France and Italy.
Learn MoreTrekking Italy’s Maritime Alps Map
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