Percorsi occitani, September 2021

Posted on by

Three lazy weeks in Valle Maira in Piemont. First, a week on the middle part of the Percorsi Occitani trail. Then, almost two weeks penetrating side valleys, based in an old Piemontese house.

We chose the central part of the Percorsi Occitani trail in the upper Valle Maira, leaving the car in Marmora Finello and making a loop around the valley from there. Our route was (overnight stays in bold face):

Marmora Finello (Lou Pitavin) — taxi — Paschero over Stroppo 1079 — San Peyre church — Cucchiales — Ciamino — San Michele Inferiore 1388 — Colle Bettone 1831 — Col Giovanni 1872 — Elva 1637 — Chiosso — Colle San Michele 1935 — Allemandi 1540 — Castiglione 1457 — Colle Albeno 1819 — Grange Podio 1627 — Grange Choligiera 1771 — Colle Sarasin 2040 — Grange Serri — Vallone di Traversiera — Lausetto 1510 — Ponte Maira 1401 — Grange Rossetto — Colle Ciarbonet 2187 — Viviere 1713 — Pratorotondo — Chialvetta 1494 — by M. Ciabert 2227 — Colle Soleglio Bue 2338 — Grange Soleglio Bue 1883 — Borgata Preit 1541 — Canosio — Marmora Finello 1270 (Lou Pitavin)

We made the trail in the classical way, already established as a fine alternative approach to sporty hiking — making relatively short walks from one poste tappa to another, which are situated in half-abandoned hamlets strewn all over the valley slopes. With lazy breakfasts and excessive dinners, enjoying the original local kitchen (and Piemontese wine!) as much as the alpine landscapes and joys of the trail.

One of the highlights of this part of the trail is the view from a view point nearby Colle Sarasin, a pass in a side ridge high above the valley: Gallery (10 images)

A few more pictures taken along the whole trail, starting with a huge breakfast menu and finishing with an irresistible dessert offer of Lou Pitavin in Marmora Finello: Gallery (109 images)

After finishing the trek we decided to give up camping or making trips with a tent — due to the weather — and stayed first in a simple apartment over a carabinieri post in Acceglio and then in a beautifully renovated old house in Borgata San Sebastiano by Marmora (see a separate post about this unusual place). From both locations we made a few day trips to the side valleys of Valle Maira and its surroundings. These on foot included:

  • A walk on the top of the main valley: from Sorgenti del Maira to Chiappera and back via Saretto.
  • Crossing Passo della Cavalla: Sorgenti del Maira 1628 — Grange & Lago Visaisa ~2000 — Valle D’Apsoi with Bivacco Bonelli 2323 — Passo della Cavalla 2539 — above Punta Bessie 2326 — Grange Pausa 2056 — Sorgenti del Maira.
  • A walk to the hamlets above Marmora (Sentiero Giors Boneto): Borgata San Sebastiano 1350 — Borgata Tolosano 1510 — Urzio 1457 — Borgata Reinero 1470 — Borgata della Parocchia 1588 — B. Reinero 1470 — Arata 1390 — San Sebastiano 1350.
  • Around Rocca la Meja: Colle del Preit 2083 — Colle Margerina 2420 — Lago della Meja 2480 — Colle d’Ancoccia 2533 — Colle del Mulo 2527 — Colle della Valletta 2575 — traverse of northern slopes of Rocca la Meja — Lago Nero 2240 — Passagio del Preit 2147 — Colle del Preit 2083.
  • To Punta Tempesta: Colle d’Esischie 2370 — traverse of Monte Pelvo 2555 — Colle Sibolet 2532 — Punta Tempesta 2679 — and back to Colle d’Esischie on the same way.
  • Around Scaletta: Road above Viviere p1813 — above Prato Ciorliero ~1950 — Passo dell’Escalon 2415 — Colle della Scaletta 2614 — Laghi de Roburent: Superiore 2428 and Mediano 2355 — Passo Peroni 2578 — Passo La Croce Occidentale 2650 — Bivacco Le Due Valli 2610 — Passo La Croce — Colletta Vittorio 2522 — Caserma dell’Escalon 2270 — above Prato Ciorliero ~1950 — road above Viviere p1813.

A collection of pictures from this part of the stay in Valle Maira: Gallery (189 images)

Cucchiales-Sottano :: percorsi occitani trail marker