Val Chisone and Val Germanasca

Your journey begins in Fenestrelle, a quiet Alpine village in the Val Chisone, where mountain landscapes meet a rich local history. After settling into your accommodation, you’ll have time to explore the village and admire the impressive Fenestrelle Fortress, one of the largest Alpine fortifications in Europe. Surrounded by forests and steep valley slopes, the atmosphere here invites you to slow down, stretch your legs with a short walk, and ease into the rhythm of the mountains before the hiking begins.

Today you can choose between two walks, depending on how much you feel like hiking.

Walk A – Selva di Chambons, 9,5 or 7,5 km
A gentle walk through the peaceful Selva di Chambons, following easy trails beneath larch trees and across quiet woodland clearings. It’s a lovely way to ease into the landscapes of the valley, with fresh mountain air, birdsong and occasional glimpses of the surrounding peaks.

Distance: 9,5 or 7,5 km

Elevation Gain: +500/-500 m

Walk B – Fenestrelle-Pequerel-Usseaux, 17 km
If you’re in the mood for a longer day, this route takes you along historic paths connecting small mountain villages such as Pequerel and Usseaux, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Along the way, you’ll pass traditional stone houses, fountains and flower-filled corners before climbing towards the Strada dell'Assietta, where wide-open views stretch across the valleys and surrounding peaks.

Whether you choose the shorter or longer option, today offers a wonderful introduction to the atmosphere of these mountains: quiet forests, charming villages and plenty of beautiful scenery.

Distance: 17 km

Elevation Gain: +850/-850 m

Today you can choose between two hikes, depending on how much distance and elevation you feel like taking on.

Walk A – Lago di Pourrières & Lago di Lux, 16 km
This enjoyable hike starts directly from Fenestrelle and follows scenic mountain trails through woodland and alpine meadows. As you climb, beautiful views open up over the valley before you reach the peaceful Lago di Pourrières and Lago di Lux, two quiet lakes surrounded by mountain scenery. It’s a rewarding walk that offers a wonderful taste of the valley’s natural beauty.

Distance: 16 km

Elevation Gain: +735/-735 m

Walk B – Lago dell’Albergian, 19 km
For a more challenging day, this hike climbs high above Fenestrelle to the remote Lago dell'Albergian. The route gradually leaves the forest behind and enters open alpine terrain, with increasingly wide views over the surrounding peaks. Set beneath the imposing summit of Monte Albergian, the lake feels wonderfully wild and secluded, making the effort more than worthwhile.

Whichever option you choose, today offers the chance to experience some of the most beautiful high-mountain landscapes in the area.

Distance: 19 km

Elevation Gain: +1350/-1350 m

Walk C – Fenestrelle Loop, 9 km
This challenging walk features several climbs and descents, rewarding hikers with varied scenery along the way. The trail passes through small mountain villages and, at several points, runs beside the impressive Fenestrelle Fortress. Beyond the village of Puy, the route opens onto beautiful panoramic views across the upper Chisone Valley and the surrounding Alpine peaks.

Distance: 9 km

Elevation Gain: +640/-640 m

Your final morning in Fenestrelle unfolds at a relaxed pace, giving you time to explore the village or join a guided tour of the impressive Fenestrelle Fortress. Its monumental stone walls, covered stairways and military buildings offer a fascinating glimpse into centuries of Alpine history.

In the afternoon, a private transfer takes you to Prali, where new mountain landscapes and walking adventures await.

Today you can choose between two different walks.

Walk A – Bou du Col Loop, 10 km

This easy circular walk from Prali follows the Bou du Col and the Sentiero delle Borgate, linking a series of peaceful mountain hamlets along gentle paths. With little ascent and open views across the Val Chisone, it offers a relaxed introduction to the area, combining pastoral landscapes, traditional architecture and the quiet rhythm of life in the upper valley.

Distance: 10 km

Elevation Gain: +560 / - 560 m

Walk B – Conca dei 13 Laghi, 7 km

This scenic walk explores the beautiful Conca dei 13 Laghi, a high-altitude basin dotted with clear mountain lakes and surrounded by wide Alpine views. From July to September, the chairlift provides easy access to the area, making it possible to enjoy a relaxed walk among the lakes. Outside this period, the route becomes considerably more demanding, as both the ascent and descent must be completed on foot from Prali.

Distance: 7 km

Elevation Gain: + 315/ - 315 m

This moderate walk to Lago d’Envie follows well-marked mountain trails, climbing steadily from Prali into a peaceful Alpine landscape. The route passes through woodland and across open slopes, revealing changing views over the Val Chisone before reaching the secluded lake beneath rugged mountain peaks. Combining a satisfying ascent with beautiful natural scenery, this rewarding hike captures the wild and tranquil character of the surrounding mountains.

Distance: 16 km 

Elevation Gain: +710 / -860 m

The Via Forcia loop follows the Sentiero delle Miniere through the mountain landscape surrounding the villages of Ribba and Bou du Col, near Prali. Along the way, the trail passes former mining sites, traditional hamlets and open Alpine meadows, with a varied succession of gentle climbs and panoramic views across the Val Chisone. Blending beautiful scenery with traces of the valley’s mining heritage, this rewarding walk offers both natural and historical interest.

Distance: 11 km

Elevation Gain: +580/-580 m

The trip and our services end after breakfast, unless you have booked other nights of services with us. From Prali you can take the bus or organize a transfer to Pinerolo train station.

For our trips, we always choose accommodation with private rooms and private bathrooms. In rare cases, shared accommodations or shared bathrooms may be provided, so we recommend carefully checking the inclusions section to understand the type of accommodation included in the trip you are interested in.  

We place great importance on the choice of accommodations and select hotels with care and attention. We understand how essential it is to rest well after a day of walking. We always prefer cozy and characteristic establishments, preferably family-run, that fully embody the spirit of the place and offer hospitality with courtesy and comfort.  

Where, due to the nature of the route, accommodation options are limited, we choose the one that best aligns with our standards.

This Piedmont alpine walking tour in Val Chisone and Val Germanasca is ideal for travellers who enjoy mountain landscapes and quiet Alpine valleys, and who would like to explore a less-known side of the Italian Alps. The itinerary offers a mix of moderate and more challenging walks, often with the possibility to choose between shorter or longer routes, making it suitable for walkers with a reasonable level of fitness.

Some hikes include steeper sections and alpine terrain, so a good level of comfort on mountain trails is recommended. In return, the effort is rewarded with wide panoramic views, peaceful lakes, forests and small villages where Alpine culture is still very much alive.

If you enjoy walking in nature, discovering authentic mountain landscapes and ending the day in welcoming villages, this journey will feel like a perfect escape.