Valle Maira Food Tour: A Taste of the Italian Alps

Arrive to Locanda Lou Pitavin in Marmora, an idyllic village 1,300 metres above sea level in the breathtaking Piedmontese Alps. Marmora is about 128 km southwest of Turin and can be reached by car in about two hours. If desired, we can organize a transfer from the train station or airport so that you have a comfortable journey. Your warm hosts Marco and Valeria will be waiting for you in the Locanda. Both were born in Valle Maira and look forward to welcoming you. Over dinner in the property's excellent restaurant, run by Valeria, you'll have the opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers and get in the mood for the adventure ahead. The culinary delicacies that Valeria prepares are inspired by Occitan and Piedmontese cuisine, and promise an unforgettable taste experience. Enjoy the fine specialties, prepared with passion and attention to detail. The restaurant's ambience and warm hospitality create a welcoming atmosphere in which you will immediately feel at home.

Relax and enjoy the journey, knowing that our tour guide will assist you at every moment.

Enjoy breakfast with a delicious cappuccino, home-baked bread, and cheese and sausage from the Valle Maira. Afterwards, you’ll hike up the Marmora Valley directly from the accommodation. You will see the small hamlets, which often only consist of a few houses. Almost everyone here made a living from raising livestock and making cheese. You’ll also see a chapel from the 15th century. You are invited to lunch today with Monica and Sergio in Torello. There, the two of them have revitalized an old farm with vegetable gardens, fruit cultivation, and handicrafts. After returning to your accommodation, you have some time for a break. When the sun is shining, relax in the deck chairs in the garden and enjoy the view of the impressive mountain peaks. In the evening, Valeria will spoil you again with her wonderful cuisine, which she inherited from her mother and grandmother. For example, with homemade, thinly sliced tagliatelle (tajarin), stewed veal in Nebbiolo or roast rabbit with juniper berries. Marco is very familiar with Piedmontese wines and will serve you selections from his cellar that go well with your meal.

Relax and enjoy the journey, knowing that our tour guide will assist you at every moment.

Hike: 2.5 hours, about 6 km, with an elevation difference of 250 metres uphill and downhill. Difficulty: easy-medium

Today, you’ll head to the other side of the valley, to Elva. Founded in Roman times, the town is famous for the frescoes by Hans Clemer, in a church from the late 15th century. After visiting the church, you’ll go to the starting point of the hike. Walk through sparse larch forests with wonderful views over the valley, across alpine pastures down to a family business. There, rare varieties of potatoes, rye, fruit, and berries are grown. Above all, many different honeys are produced from the bee colonies. Three of these honeys are now Slow Food staples: rhododendron honey, high mountain blossom honey, and fir honey. Mamma Pasqualina awaits you for a lunch made with her own products. In the afternoon, you will return to the accommodation for a relaxing break before a Piedmontese evening meal with Valeria and Marco. Hike: About four hours, 8 km, with an elevation difference of 400 metres uphill and 500 metres downhill. Difficulty: medium

Today, you will visit Giorgio and Marta, who keep goats in San Damiano and make excellent raw milk cheese. From San Damiano, you’ll hike up to the goat farm, see the animals on the pasture, and visit the small cheese dairy. It's amazing how the cheeses develop very differently over the maturation period. At lunch, you will be able to try these with some other delicacies. Back at the accommodation and after a break, Valeria and Marco will give you a cooking class. You can also bake sourdough bread and a cake in the town's old bakery, right next to the accommodation, such as the hazelnut cake that is famous in Piedmont. Valeria will show you how to prepare the Maira Valley specialty, L’öla, a stew with beans, potatoes, leeks, and pork ribs, which cooks overnight using the residual heat from the oven. Of course, Valeria has one already prepared, which you can then eat along with the dishes you have prepared yourself. Hike from San Damiano up to the Ziegenhof: 45 minutes, about half a mile, with 200 metres altitude.

In the morning, you’ll be taken to Frere on the Unerzio side of the valley. You’ll hike the Scurcio, an old path that connected the small hamlets of the valley before today's road existed. Walk along the Unerzio stream through deciduous forests, encountering evidence of old traditions such as water mills, bakeries, and lime kilns. A little further up, you’ll walk through a larch forest and across alpine pastures up to the Viviere mountain hut, behind which the peaks of the Gardetta plateau rise. A delicious snack platter awaits you there. Enjoy the wonderful views and relax before returning to Marmora. In the evening, Valeria will surprise you again at the accommodation with new Piedmontese and Occitan specialties. Hike: 2.5 hours, about 7 km, with an elevation difference of 550 metres uphill. Difficulty: medium.

Today you will embark on a fascinating hike through the picturesque Marmora Valley, which will take you to Lake Resile. This crystal-clear, small mountain lake awaits you at an impressive altitude of almost 2,000 metres. During your hike, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views over the valley, observing the wildlife of diverse bird species and cute marmots. Those looking for a refreshing dip are welcome to swim in the clear waters of the lake and enjoy nature to the fullest. A delicious mountain picnic awaits you in the immediate vicinity of Lago Resile. All ingredients have been carefully selected and provided by Marco to give you an unforgettable culinary experience. Take a seat, inhale the fresh aromas of the mountains, and let yourself be seduced by the authentic taste experiences as you linger in this picturesque setting. In the early afternoon, you will return to your accommodation, where you will have free time to relax. Take this opportunity to calm your senses, reflect on your impressions, or simply be enchanted by the tranquil atmosphere of your surroundings. In the evening, there is an unforgettable farewell dinner with Valeria and Marco, who pamper their guests with attention on this special occasion. Enjoy the harmonious combination of exquisite ingredients, prepared with passion and skill, while you celebrate the farewell to this special journey in good company. Hike: Around 3.5 hours and 8 miles, with a difference in altitude of 700 metres uphill. Difficulty: medium. It is possible to take a shorter hike if desired.

After a delicious breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to Valle Maira. If you wish to extend your stay, we are at your disposal with inspiring suggestions and helpful recommendations. We know the region and its secrets very well and want to ensure that you can continue to explore the diversity and beauty of Valle Maira even after your trip officially ends. Do not hesitate to contact us to plan your extension and enrich the memories of your trip even further.