New eco-retreat in Piedmont: Natural bed in the trail paradise of Valle Maira
Gitta Beimfohr
· 21.04.2025
If a trail-loving mountain biker could wish for a valley on their doorstep, it would perhaps be the Valle Maira in Piedmont, Italy. It stretches for 60 kilometres through the iconically shaped Cottian Alpine peaks, touches the French border at the head of the valley and is therefore not short of old military trails. These paths zigzag up rocky mountain flanks, balance along ridges, climb spectacular summit embrasures and wind their way back down into the valley in the form of endlessly long trail hairpin bends.
Down in the valley, however, you are glad that the Valle Maira is so remote in the Piedmontese Western Alps, as this is the only way it has been able to retain its unspoilt nature. The Maira gushes crystal clear from the ground at the head of the valley and collects in a small lake before making its first tentative bends through wild flower meadows.
It goes without saying that no campsite à la Adria can be set up in the middle of the special protection zone of the Alpi Marittime National Park. Instead, the hosts of Locanda Mistral in Acceglio, Manuela and Renato, want to offer their guests a particularly sustainable nature experience with 12 tent pitches, 6 camper pitches and 3 fully equipped tents. A respectful way of camping with a minimal ecological footprint.
The associated Locanda Mistral, on the other hand, has been around for several years and is only 15 minutes away from the camp site. As a nature camper, you can take advantage of their sustainable cuisine, the wellness facilities and the stargazing night events on offer.
Reservations: campingmistral.com
The best mountain bike tours in Valle Maira
If you go biking in the Cottian Alps, you can expect wild nature and authentic hospitality, but no lifts or bike parks. Every metre of altitude gained is rewarded handsomely. With panoramic views, history and endless trail descents.
The Swiss Peter Vogt from Ceaglio has developed an impressive network of tours in the Valle Maira in recent years. 21 tours with a total of 760 kilometres and around 30,000 metres in altitude. Info at mtb-piemonte.it
BIKE-Touren author Matthias Rotter has tried out 5 of these Vogt tours and can only recommend them to every Valle Maira biker:
- Gardetta loop (49 km/1972 m elevation gain)
- Monte Servagno (24.4 km/1250 metres altitude)
- Elva-Trails (21.9 km / 1053 m elevation gain)
- Monte Bellino (31.7 km/1500 metres altitude)
- Strada Napoleonica (20.5 km/795 m elevation gain)
The trail guide including elevation profiles and GPS data can be downloaded here: BIKE trail guide: 5 super trail tours in Valle Maira
And if you're already in the area, these tours might also be of interest:
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
