Hiking in the Cottian Alps

The trip begins in Fenestrelle, a small mountain town deep within Val Chisone. Already upon arrival, the area's special character is evident: forested mountainsides rise around the village, and above the houses the enormous Forte di Fenestrelle fortress spreads out across the mountain. After check-in, you have the rest of the day at your own leisure. Take a walk through the village, stretch your legs after the journey, get acquainted with the surroundings, and enjoy your first espresso. Ahead of you await two days where you choose your own hikes based on weather, form, and ambition level.

Over the next two days, you can freely choose among five hikes around Fenestrelle. Here you'll find everything from a calm forest walk to a substantial alpine day of 19 kilometers and 1,350 meters of elevation gain. This makes it easy to adapt the trip to the weather and your form – or simply to how much trail happiness your legs are craving that day.

Option A – Selva di Chambons: An easy and peaceful hike through larch forest with open clearings, alpine flora, and views of the mountains. A good option for a calmer day. About 7.5–9.5 km and 500 m up/down.

Option B – Lago dell'Albergian: The trip's real challenge. From Fenestrelle, the trail climbs through forest and further up into more open alpine terrain to the secluded mountain lake beneath the barren peaks. Same route back. About 19 km and 1,350 m up/down.

Option C – Lago di Laux and Lago di Pourrieres: A moderately challenging hike through forest and alpine meadows to two tranquil mountain lakes. The tour is about 16 km with 735 m up/down. It can be shortened by turning back after the lakes.

Option D – Pequerel and Usseaux: Follow old trails between Fenestrelle, Pequerel, and the beautiful mountain village of Usseaux, and continue up towards Assietta for grand views over valleys and peaks. About 17 km and 850 m up/down. This tour can also be shortened.

Option E – Fenestrelle loop: A shorter but hilly tour past small mountain villages and parts of the impressive fortress. After Puy, fine views open up over the upper Val Chisone. About 9 km and 640 m up/down.

New day, new choice. You stay in Fenestrelle and choose yet another of the hikes described under day 2. Perhaps you saved the long tour to Lago dell'Albergian until your legs were warmed up, or maybe a calmer day through larch forest and small alpine villages appeals to you. The ability to choose is one of the trip's great advantages: weather, energy, and desire determine which side of Val Chisone you discover. All five options with distance and elevation differences are described under day 2.

Today the hiking boots get to rest while you have time to discover Fenestrelle's most spectacular attraction. Forte di Fenestrelle stretches about three kilometers along the mountainside and is one of Europe's largest alpine fortification complexes. Visit the fortress on your own and take part in several centuries of military and Piedmontese history. Later in the day, you will be picked up for a private transfer to Prali in Val Germanasca. Here the landscape changes character once again, and a new set of hiking trails awaits for the trip's three final active days.

Over the next three days, you'll have Prali as your base and four different hikes to choose from. Here await high mountain lakes, old mining trails, and small villages – and here too you can adapt the day's tour to the weather and your form.

Option A – Lago d'Envie: A moderately challenging mountain hike that climbs steadily from Prali through forest and over open slopes. The goal is the tranquil Lago d'Envie, framed by barren mountain peaks. About 16 km, 710 m up and 860 m down.

Option B – Bou du Col: A pleasant loop hike following Bou du Col and Sentiero delle Borgate between small mountain villages. Here alpine cultural landscapes, traditional buildings, and open views combine. About 10 km and 560 m up/down.

Option C – Conca dei 13 Laghi: A short but very delightful tour in the high-alpine basin with thirteen lakes. When the lift is open, this becomes an easier high-altitude hike, about 7 km and 315 m up/down. Outside the lift's opening hours, the tour becomes considerably tougher since the entire climb from Prali must be done on foot. Always check the lift's current opening hours.

Option D – Sentiero delle Miniere: A fine loop around Ribba and Bou du Col where nature and local history go hand in hand. The trail passes old mining sites, small villages, and alpine meadows with fine views over the valley. About 11 km and 580 m up/down.

Please note that the lift at Prali is normally open daily during July–August and only on weekends in June. Opening hours should be checked for your travel date, as they affect the difficulty level of the hike in Conca dei 13 Laghi.

You wake up again in Prali with a whole day of hiking ahead of you. Choose a new tour among the four options described under day 5. After yesterday's hike, perhaps an easier tour among the 13 lakes in Conca dei 13 Laghi appeals to you, or you might go for Lago d'Envie and a longer day in the mountains. If you want to mix nature with cultural history, Sentiero delle Miniere is a fine option. You stay in Prali and therefore only need to carry today's gear. All options with distance and elevation differences are found under day 5.

The last full day in the Cottian Alps and another chance to choose the hike that suits you best. Perhaps the tour to a mountain lake remains, perhaps the mining trail appeals, or a calmer loop between the villages. Thanks to the four options, you can vary both length and difficulty during the three days in Prali. See the full description of all routes under day 5. When you return to the village, a final evening in Val Germanasca awaits – a suitable occasion to sit down for a Piedmontese dinner and sum up the week's hikes.

After breakfast, it's time to say arrivederci to Prali and the mountains. For the journey home, you can continue by local bus towards Pinerolo or book a transfer to Pinerolo's railway station and travel onward by train towards Turin. If you have time to spare, Piedmont is of course not a bad place to stay a few extra days – Turin is nearby, and south of the mountains awaits Piedmont's famous wine landscape. Here you can add a few hiking days in the Langhe district around Barolo, where we have several fine programs.