Italy & France Hiking – Piedmont to the French Riviera
8 days
From $ 4399
Duration8 days
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Spend eight days exploring scenic trails from the Italian countryside to the French Riviera. From vineyard trails to hiking trails, truffle hunting to truffle tasting, refreshing soaks in cool waters to relaxing moments in sun-soaked villages—this incredible journey has something to awaken all five of the senses. Traversing the land from the Italian countryside to Southern France, we hike among vineyards, discover charming villages, and sample prize-worthy Mediterranean cuisine. We begin in Turin, the old capital of the Italian Kingdom. Explore the countryside with its vineyards and medieval hamlets. Follow the truffle trails on the hunt for much sought-after wild mushrooms. Crossing into France, discover an amazing region of villages built into the craggy hillsides. Enjoy dramatic views, alpine meadows, serrated peaks and sacred rock carvings while hiking in Mercantour National park. Upon arrival in Nice, take in the vast stretch of stunningly blue Mediterranean waters, then pop in for a cooling swim. Indulge in wine, cheese, and excellent local cuisine. An escape for foodies and adventure-lovers alike, this trip provides a beautiful balance of Italian and French treasures.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 8 days
    Service level: Standard
  • Starts in: Grand Hotel De Turin
    Physical Grading: Average
  • Ages: 18+
Italy & France Hiking – Piedmont to the French Riviera - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Meet in Turin and enjoy a first taste of Italy's Piedmont’s regional cuisine.

Start place: Grand Hotel De Turin

Our trip begins today in Turin, Italy, the old capital of the Italian Kingdom and home to the 2006 Winter Olympics. Most travelers will take a train from Milan or fly into the Turin airport. Transfer on your own to the group hotel and meet our trip leader and traveling companions at 4pm in the lobby. We will have a brief orientation followed by a walk in Valentino Park along the banks of the Po River. The park includes a medieval hamlet and the magnificent 17th-century Valentino Castle. For dinner, we enjoy the delicious recipes of the Piedmont region. Dinner included.
Walking: 1.5 hours.
Meals: D
Day 2: Hike in the heart of the Langhe wine region. Wine tasting in Barolo.
A guided walking tour of Turin allows us to discover its architectural wonders, including the classic Mole Antonelliana. We also see the Torino Cathedral (home to the Holy Shroud) and visit a historical café to indulge in a bicerin, a traditional hot chocolate and coffee drink. A transfer brings us to Monforte, located in the Langhe wine region. This area is famous for its landscape of vineyards, hamlets perched on hillsides, rivers and forests. The terrain is gentle and our hike provides views of ancient watchtowers, small churches, vineyards and hazelnut farms. Afterward we partake in a wine and cheese tasting in the village of Barolo. The Barolo wine is considered the heavyweight champion of Italian wines. Our day ends in the 1,000-year-old village of La Morra, our home for the next two nights. Dinner is at a local restaurant serving typical recipes of the Langhe. All meals included.
Transfers: 1.5 hours; Walking: 1.5 miles; 2 hours; Hiking: 3.2 miles, 3 hours; elevation gain 50'/loss 500’.​; terrain: dirt paths.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Follow the truffle trails, and discover the Alba Underground.
Departing our hotel on foot, we follow the trail through vineyards and hazelnut farms to the village of Roddi, where we meet a truffle hunter and truffle dog to search for the prized wild mushrooms. A tasting of different truffle products excites our palate and senses. A light lunch is followed by free time to relax or explore. A short transfer brings us to Alba, where we take a guided underground walking tour to view Roman ruins. We then walk to a nearby restaurant for dinner. All meals included.
Walking tour: 1 mile, 1.5 hours; Hiking: 5.2 miles, 2.5 hours; elevation gain 465'/loss 1,223'; terrain: dirt paths.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Cross into the Roya Valley of France. Hike from Tende to La Brigue.
We transfer to Tende, France. The scenic 1.5-hour drive reveals the Italian countryside at our back, the Maritime and Ligurian Alps ahead, and the iconic mountain symbol of the area—Monte Viso (12,602’). At the highest point of our drive, the Colle di Tenda (6,135’), we stop to admire the peaks around us and the extraordinary engineering of the mountain road. Arriving in the medieval village of Tende we visit the Museum of Wonders, which features some of the prehistoric rock engravings we’ll see up close on our next day’s hike. We depart for a hike to view the iconic panoramas of the Roya Valley with its thick forests, winding river and steep, rock-faced borders. Our hike ends in the little mountain village of La Brigue. We transfer to the mountain village of Casterino, our home base the next two nights. All meals included.
Hiking: 3.4 miles, 3 hours; elevation gain 1,155'/loss 1,745'; terrain: dirt paths; Transfers: 2 hours.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Hike in the Mercantour National Park. Discover prehistoric rock carvings.
Our hike begins in the Mercantour National Park, one of the wildest and most pristine of France’s National Parks. We start out deep in a larch forest until we reach open meadows and eventually a high valley above tree line, complete with two mountain lakes. Mountain scenery is at its best and species like the ibex, chamois, marmot, mountain pheasant and royal eagle may be spotted. The park’s proximity to the Mediterranean creates a unique environment for vegetation; more than 2,000 species of plants and flowers exist here. In the Vallée des Merveilles (Valley of Wonders), a park ranger helps us understand and appreciate prehistoric rock carvings from the Copper and Bronze Ages. We continue our hike to the alpine lake of Fontanalba (3,500’), a jewel between high rocky peaks. Tonight’s cuisine includes specialties of the mountainous region. All meals included.
Hiking: 6.8 miles; 5.3 hours; elevation gain/loss: 2,300’.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Ride the Train des Merveilles to the Mediterranean. Discover Nice.
We board the Train des Merveilles to travel along high bridges and through tunnels, passing waterfalls and majestic views of the Roya Valley. The scenery suddenly changes as we approach the coastline of the Mediterranean and our final destination of Nice, in the heart of the Cote d’Azur. Azure waters, colorful seaside buildings, bustling markets and old-world opulence all compete for our attention. A walking tour of this famous French Riviera city is followed by a light bistro lunch. The remainder of the day is free to relax or explore on our own. Take a swim in the warm sea, visit one of the many museums or walk along the “Promenade des Ingles”, one of the most famous seaside walks in the world. Dinner is on our own tonight and our guide will provide suggestions. Breakfast and lunch included.
Walking: 3.5 miles, 2 hours; terrain: paved sidewalks.
Meals: B, L
Day 7: Hike the breathtaking Cap Ferrat peninsula. Swim in the sea.
The Cote d’Azur, or French Riviera, is well known for its scenic trails by the sea. We hike on the peninsula of Cap Ferrat, following coastal trails dotted with lush vegetation including agaves, prickly pears, maritime pine and tropical flowers. From the lovely village of Villefranche-sur-Mer, we make our way to Beaulieu-sur-Mer, a fisherman village with old world charm. Along the way you can take time for a swim in one of the many beautiful and secluded bays accessible only by foot or boat. At the end of our hike we take a train back to Nice. Tonight we enjoy a farewell seaside dinner. All meals included.
Walking: 1 mile, 20 minutes; terrain: paved sidewalks; Hiking: 8 miles, 3.5 hours; elevation gain/loss 1,100'; terrain: dirt paths and dirt roads.​
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: Our adventure ends in Nice, France.
Breakfast at the hotel is at your leisure. Transfer on your own to the Nice airport (NCE) or rail station. Breakfast included.
Meals: B

Inclusions

Included

  • Seven nights hotel accommodations with private baths
  • meals as noted in the daily itinerary
  • guide/leadership
  • luggage transportation
  • all transportation including trains
  • one glass of beer or wine with included dinners
  • entrance fees to included sites and museums
  • wine and cheese tasting on Day 2
  • truffle dog demonstration and truffle tasting on Day 3
  • gratuities to vehicle drivers and other service providers (except mains guides)

  • Accommodation

    Hotels, 7 nights

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