When you start your hiking adventure on the Percorsi Occitani, you find ancient, well-maintained and clearly-marked trails, mule-tracks and climbs. Along the journey many cultural and culinary highlights are waiting for you to be discovered, and of course, tasted.
This unique hiking project was started over 30 years ago from famous walking trails such as the French GR (Grande Randonnée), the European hiking trail, and of course, the GTA (Grande Traversata delle Alpi / The Trans-Alpine Crossing).
The best months to discover the 14 legs of this 177 km-long valley route are May, June, September and October. In spring you will get a glimpse of the unique flora with many flowers endemic to Valle Maira; in autumn be mesmerised by the colours of meadows, pastures and larch woods.
Since 2001, the Locanda Mistral is a member of the Percorsi Occitani association and an important base along the hiking trail.
Discover Valle Maira along the Percorsi Occitani
The Percorsi Occitani begin in Villar San Costanzo in the natural reserve of Cicciù – after 177 km and 14 legs you arrive at Dronero, the largest village in Valle Maira. For those eager to do the whole circular track in one go, we recommend planning for at least 2 weeks of hiking time.
As the route is perfectly signposted, you will never have any orientation problems. Also the length of each leg has been calculated in such a way that you have enough time to visit and explore sights and natural attractions. The Percorsi Occitani haven’t been designed for extreme alpinists and via ferrata enthusiasts. Instead you walk on narrow paths and trails, zigzag courses, and sometimes on bumpy tracks through deciduous and larch wood forests, passing old stone walls and above the tree line on high pastures and stony ridges.
Every day you might hike for four or five - sometimes even - seven hours. Rarely you will cross the 3.000m limit. But believe us, you will be rewarded for your efforts with breath-taking panoramic views, stunning natural beauty, and of course, pleasing mountain experiences. Therefore, don’t wait any longer to start this hiking adventure.
The Locanda Mistral along the trail
If you choose to do the whole circular trail, you will reach the Locanda Mistral during the 7thleg. However, if you decide to hike on some of the most stunning Percorsi Occitani sections, you are able to reach them from our hotel via short transfers – offered daily by us.
Furthermore, the following services are available at the Locanda Mistral for nature and hiking lovers: lunch packages, shuttle service to the starting and from the arrival points, mountain equipment rental such as poles, helmets, climbing equipment and Meindl hiking boots.
Of course, Renato, mountain guide for more than 20 years, will give you additional insights and insider tips.
Our favourite trail
Our favourite trail is the diverse circular route of Monte Scaletta. This track leads through cultivated pastures to boulder and rocky landscapes, to the Monte Scaletta and along airy ridges with spectacular views to the neighbouring valley of Stury. You will also pass by the lakes of Roburent and cross Monte Oserot and the Prato Ciorliero. Along the way you come across relics from the interwar years, amongst them a short tunnel.
Interested to find out more? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us – we are more than happy to help with planning your hiking trip in Valle Maira. Besides the Percorsi Occitani, many more tracks and trails are within easy reach from the Locanda Mistral, such as the circular trail Piergiorgio Frassati, the hike around the Rocca Provenzale – the Matterhorn of Piedmont, the cultural valley circular trail, and of course, the “king’s distance” of the guides published by Kompass: the traverse of the Monte Scaletto.
Greetings from Valle Maira and see you soon along the Percorsi Occitani,
Renato
