Macra walks

The village of Macra is ideally situated to start this route. A car park on the outskirts of the village, the Maira stream which is truly at the heart of these seven stages, and small, well-kept hamlets to help you get into the spirit of Occitania. Along the way, you’ll see votive pillars, religious frescoes on the façades of some houses and numerous chapels. At the end of the route, the hamlet of Ruata Valle is entirely dedicated to the Locanda Codirosso.

This 7-stage route takes place in Val Maira, one of the four valleys of Occitan Piedmont. This mountainous valley, devoid of ski resorts, has successfully showcased its cultural heritage. Numerous stone hamlets with slate-roofed houses have been restored. In these valleys, every effort is made to give hikers a warm welcome. Since 1992, a very well-signposted route has offered a wide choice of stopover lodges where Occitan cuisine is served.

Before setting off on this third stage, take a moment to admire Monte Chersogno in the distance, which rises to over 3,000 metres. You’ll pass through more charming little villages in Chiosso before tackling the pleasant climb up Colle San Michele. After a long descent, you’ll pass through two more hamlets: Cesani and Castiglione. In Ussolo, you’ll be in for another culinary treat at the Locanda La Carlina. The vegetables come from the small vegetable patch adjoining the typically Occitan building.

On this fourth day, you will continue along the left bank of the Maira. At Punta Culour, the highest point on this bank, a magnificent view to the west over the peaks on the border with France awaits you. You will then descend back down to the Maira river at Acceglio to cross over to the other bank. You will climb up the Unerzio valley to reach Chialvetta.

Italian stage through wild upper valleys and rocky wasteland, scattered by beautiful mountain lakes, consistantlyaround Monte Viso.

This short stage of the Mont Viso circuit is completely straightforward. To make the day more enjoyable, 500 m from the starting point, you can turn right for a return trip to the summit of Viso Mozzo at 3,019 m, offering a stunning view of the Po Valley, which has its source at Pian del Re, the end point of this stage

This stage gives you a frontline view over Monte Viso on one side and Pô prairie (plaine du Pô) on the other. Then a climb through Vallanta's small green valley.

Circular hike from the beautiful village of Sambuco in the Valle Stura, Provence of Cuneo. The high point is Monte Bersaio directly above the village. The majority of the walk is through high alpine meadows. If done in late June or early July there will be a profusion of wildflowers and the final meadows, just below the summit of Monte Bersaio, are full of Edelweiss.

This Italian stage of the Mont Viso circuit presents no particular difficulties. You will discover its wild high valleys dotted with high-altitude lakes. You will cross a few scree slopes before reaching the Sella Quintino Refuge, near Lake Mont Viso.

This stage involves a pass with neves and crossing Refuge du Viso high berm then Guil valley.

Beautiful stage, green at first, covered by neve at the pass then very floral in Guil Valley.

A very long day criss-crossing the border. But what breathtaking scenery! And you won’t be bothered by the neighbours... there’s little chance of coming across other two-legged creatures. But perhaps some ibex, vultures, including (apparently) a pair of bearded vultures.

This is a pleasant route through a magnificent summer valley to one of the most beautiful viewpoints of Mont Viso, where you will be captivated by the unfailing beauty of the surrounding peaks.

This stage of the Mount Viso circuit alternates between meadowland and rocky terrain. A hike without any particular difficulty, the round trip to Punta Sea Bianca can make for a pleasant addition to the day.

This is the first stage of the 4-day tour of Monte Viso. The planned tour starts from Pian del Re (mountain hut). The first stage ends at the Quintino Sella mountain hut before tackling, the following day, the crossing at the Col de San Chiaffredo, the descent to Chianale, then the climb to the Vallanta mountain hut.

On thissecond day of the Tour of Mount Aiga from the Ferrere Refuge, you will pass through Plan de Belvédère, where there is a tin shelter overlooking the Rio Forneris valley and a fountain. You will also pass below Lake Emma, Monte Peiron at 2,796 m and Pointe Testa di Garbe at 2,749 m, to arrive, after a few hairpin bends, at Col de Fer at 2,584 m. You will then head towards Small Pass of Tortisse and the Vens Refuge, the end of this stage.

High mountain stage. Progress within a mineral setting. A hike up to the highest pass of the trek. Stunning view over the Pô water sources from "Sentier du Postier."

Discover two superb lakes nestled in the valley formed by the rocks of La Blanche and the ridges of Montagne de Rocca Bianca, which mark the French-Italian border.

Here, the names change from white to black with great dexterity. Indeed, the passage from Queyras, Refuge de la Blanche, to Ubaye is via the Col de la Noire. Original, isn't it?

A French-Italian loop to discover Lake Asti in a very rocky setting. The path to the lake is mostly very stony and requires careful attention.

A wild climb to Pic Foréant via equally wild ridges. This is followed by a visit to several lakes, each different in size and charm. All this at the foot of the Pain de Sucre and the Crêtes de la Taillante.

Nestled at the foot of the Crête de la Taillante and overlooked by the Pain de Sucre, Lac Foréant is located in a very protected environment. Indeed, many animal and plant species have made it their home (marmots, ibex, marsh plants, cottony cotton grass, etc.).

A border route to tackle the Pic de Caramantran (3,025 m), observe a multitude of 3,000-metre peaks: Mont Viso, Pain de Sucre, Tête des Toillies, and discover three magnificent lakes: Blanchet supérieur, Blanchet inférieur and Blanche.

Fifth stage with the recommended ascent of Pain de Sucre.

Set off to climb the Pic de Caramantran, one of the easiest 3,000-metre peaks in the Queyras Regional Nature Park, and enjoy transalpine views of Italy and the Saint-Véran valley from its summit.

A short, challenging hike to a first-class viewpoint on Mont Viso, which, at an altitude of 3,208 metres, offers a magnificent 360° panorama of Italy and the Queyras.

A physically demanding hike starting from the Refuge Agnel, passing a total of five passes and offering views of a dozen lakes in these magnificent areas. It starts in Queyras and returns there after a loop through Haut-Ubaye and Italy. This hike can be completed in two days (refuges, bivouac).

The Pic de Caramantran is an extraordinary destination! This hike takes you on a circular route that also allows you to discover the Col de Saint-Véran. You may see ibex and numerous marmots along the way.

Thisthird and final stage of the Tour du Mont Aiga starts from the Refuge de Vens and crosses a balcony below the slopes of the Aiguilles de Tortisse to the north-east of the Lacs de Vens. After passing the Crête de la Côte and descending to the Maisons Forestières de Tortisse, you will walk along a balcony path beneath the slopes of the Tête des Mourres to reach the Morgon plateau and climb back up to Laussets and finally to the Lacs de Morgon. At the large Morgon lake, you will descend eastwards into Salso Moréno to rejoin the path of thefirst stage and Camp des Fourches. It is possible to see chamois early in the morning and, of course, marmots throughout the day.