Italy Alps Hiking Tours
The Ultimate Italian Alps Hiking Tour
An exclusive invitation to hike the Alta Valsesia – one of Italy’s true hidden gems and a hiker’s paradise – at the foot of Monte Rosa, the second-highest peak in the Alps. No planning required.
From CAD $4,950 or US $3,650/person. Sept 1–7 departure — limited spots remaining.
Location:
Alta Valsesia, Piedmont, Italy
Duration:
6 nights/7 days
Accommodation:
4-star apartment-style boutique lodge
When:
June & September
Activity Level:
3 out of 5
Challenging
Make it Private
The Italian Alps Like You’ve Never Seen Them
Be among the first to visit the Alta Valsesia, a unique part of Italy and our family home for the past 500 years. Hike through elfin forests and magical alpine meadows where shepherds still bring their cows to summer. And there’s always a mountain rifugio with a home-cooked meal, fresh cheese and wine flowing at the end of the trail.
Who this is for: families with teen or adult children, couples, friends, solo travellers and curious travellers interested in beautiful hiking in a less touristy locale with a living connection to its traditional culture and way of life.
Italy’s Hidden Gem — The Alta Valsesia
Dubbed the ‘greenest part of Italy,’ the Alta Valsesia is a narrow, verdant valley nestled at the foot of the Monte Rosa, the second-highest peak in the Alps, close to the Swiss border. Home to the Walser, a Germanic shepherding people whose iconic stone and wood-hewn homes pepper the alpine meadows, the Valsesia is nothing like the Italy you think you know. Described by Canada’s Globe and Mail as “picture postcard perfect,“ the main village of Alagna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the upper valley is a UNESCO Geopark. Italy’s Alpine Club (CAI) has built a well-maintained network of trails connecting ancient shepherd paths, panoramic hanging valleys and mountain rifugios serving up delicious home-cooked meals. The Valsesia has the best of Italian Alps trekking without the crowds of the more touristy Dolomites.
Read the Globe and Mail’s feature on karibu’s Valsesia hiking adventure.
Alta Valsesia, Italy: Trip of a lifetime!
“Everything about this trip exceeded our expectations. The hikes were challenging and every step was rewarded with a breathtaking view. The accommodation, vistas, food, wonderful guides and fellow travelers made this an exceptional experience. This is a rare opportunity to experience a beautiful, undiscovered place.”
– Lindsay B
Alagna enriches your soul!!
“Outstanding trip discovering paradise on earth!!! The sound of cow bells, bubbling streams and waterfalls are some of the lasting memories from this trip and the scenery was spell binding. You feel like you are stepping back in time where nature is untouched and majestic. Honestly one of my best vacations ever and I am well travelled!”
– Joy R
An Unforgettable Itinerary
Day 1
Al fresco lunch & frazioni hike
A lunch of local artisanal cheese and Italian treats is served in the garden of our home in Alagna, our home base for the trip. In the afternoon, we tour the quaint hamlets surrounding the village and get our first introduction to Walser culture. Our welcome dinner by the Sesia River has a great view of the village and valley.
DAY 2
Valley of the Larches Hike
We ease into the trip with a 10-km hike through the lush Val Vogna, a favourite of Italy’s Queen Margherita of the House of Savoy. We make our way through alpine meadows and some beautiful examples of Walser shepherd homes known as baita and picnic by the centuries-old ‘Napolean’ bridge. Optional: stop at our favourite bar for great views of the Monte Rosa and goblet-sized negronis.
DAY 3
Monte Rosa Up Close
We follow the Sesia River through elfin forests and waterfalls to a glacier-carved valley and an epic moraine where one of our family’s mountain huts perches with singular views of the Monte Rosa. Our 4-hour hike ends with a hearty lunch at a local rifugio. For those interested, we meet for dinner to try the Alagnese specialty of melted raclette cheese with potatoes.
DAY 4
Village Visit & Gelato
We take a break from hiking and head down the valley to the picturesque medieval town of Varallo, home to Europe’s oldest Sacro Monte and excellent gelato. We have lunch and a private tour of a villa that was home to our great-grandmother.
DAY 5
Heaven Among the Walser
We walk straight up, about 500 metres, along centuries-old shepherd paths to a magical hanging valley right out of The Sound of Music. Our 10-km hike will wind through alpine meadows and more than a few herds of cows. We’ll stop by some family homes, meet local shepherds and hopefully taste some fresh butter and cheese before tucking into another delicious rifugio lunch.
DAY 6
Panoramic Hike
We end on a high note with a spectacular 7–12 km* hike that offers panoramic views of multiple valleys and the Monte Rosa as a spectacular backdrop. We have a picnic lunch and a farewell dinner at our favourite pizzeria.
*An additional segment can be added for those looking for an extra challenge.
Accommodations
Our guests stay in tasteful locally owned 4-star lodging chosen for its boutique size, comfort and location. Our baita-style hotel adheres to traditional building aesthetics but with modern finishings.
Rooms are ‘apartment-style,’ featuring a main bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette and living area, with couches that pull out into comfortable beds. Rooms sleep 1–6 and can accommodate families and friends interested in sharing a room.
What's Included
Not included: 4 dinners, alcohol, gratuities, *airport transfer to the Valsesia
Getting There
Alagna Valsesia is a 2-hour drive from Milan. We recommend flying into Milan’s Malpensa airport. *karibu can arrange a round-trip shuttle transfer to and from Malpensa, with pick-up arranged for the morning of Day 1 of the tour. The round-trip cost is estimated at €60–€100 pp round trip, depending on shuttle occupancy. If you are driving, we will send you the hotel address details in a follow-up email.
Travel Insurance
Medical travel insurance is required to participate in our tour. Your insurance plan should include full medical coverage, emergency evacuation and emergency repatriation. Travel interruption insurance is highly recommended.
Activity Level
Hikes are moderate and in some places challenging, requiring a good fitness level and balance. Our hikes are not at high altitudes — we are based in the village of Alagna at an elevation of 1,300 metres, and we do not exceed 2,100 metres. Some hikes, however, include condensed elevation gains, so be prepared for pockets of steepness. Our hikes are designed to be accessible, but this trip is not for first-time hikers (unless you are a fit teen or young adult). Participants should be comfortable hiking 4–5 hours per day. Appropriate for kids 12+.
From The Wild Life Blog
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the tour based?
Our Italian Alps hiking tour is based in the village of Alagna at the end of Sesia Valley, named after the Sesia River, which runs through it. It is in the province of Vercelli, Piedmont, near the border with Switzerland in Northwest Italy.
What are the closest cities?
How do you get to Alagna?
We recommend flying to Milan’s Malpensa airport, which is closer to Alagna than Milan’s other airport, Linate. karibu arranges an airport shuttle service from Milan’s Malpensa airport to Alagna. Check KAYAK for affordable flight options. Search https://www.kayak.co.uk/
What other nearby activities can be combined with the hiking tour?
After your Italian Alps hiking tour concludes, you can easily extend your exploration of Northern Italy. You can visit Milan, including its Duomo, the famous La Scala opera house and the designer shopping district. Turin — the capital of Piedmont and home of the House of Savoy, the first monarchs of a united Italy — is an elegant baroque city with several interesting museums and delicious chocolate and pastry shops. The Lake District is also nearby, with Lago di Orta and Lago Maggiore being a 1.5–2 hour drive.
Do I need any special equipment?
We recommend hiking boots with ankle support and hiking poles. Poles are optional but helpful, especially for giving your knees a break when coming downhill. karibu has extra poles for those who need them. We provide a packing guide upon booking.
What are the hiking trails like?
The trails are well-marked and maintained by the Italian Alpine Club. Many include segments with centuries-old stone steps used by shepherds to bring their livestock up to the alpine pastures in summer. They can be steep in places.
What’s the weather like?
The Valsesia is a favourite getaway for Italians because, being at a higher elevation (1,200 metres), it does not suffer from the heat that bakes much of the country. While temperatures hover around 18–20C during the day in summer, they dip to about 10C at night. Weather in the mountains is ever-changing, so one should be prepared for variability.
I have food allergies. Can they be accommodated?
Are there laundry facilities at the hotel?
Is this trip good for families? Is there a recommended minimum age?
Our Alta Valsesia hiking trip is a great family trip. We have been taking our kids on hikes here since they were little. For newcomers to the area, we recommend this trip for kids 12+.
What if I want to visit another part of Italy after the tour? Can you help me arrange transport?
We are happy to enquire with our local shuttle service to see if we can arrange transport for you. Many of our guests go on to the northern Italian Lakes or other nearby towns.
Can you pick me up at my hotel in Milan instead of at the airport?
Unfortunately no. We ask all guests to meet at Malpensa’s Terminal 1. The train from the centre of Milan to the airport is easy and much faster than driving through Milan traffic.
Where do we meet to be picked up at Milan’s Malpensa airport?
Terminal 1, door 8, between 10–11am on Day 1 of the tour.
Why are 2 dinners included and four not covered in the tour price?
We find that guests like to have some free time in the evenings after a full day of hiking. Not everyone wants to go out for a full dinner every evening. It is also less expensive for guests to have some flexibility around their dinner arrangements.
What options are there for dinner on free nights?
How much should I tip the guide?
Do I need trip cancellation and medical travel insurance for this trip?
What are the different options for payment?
Secure your spot on this one-of-a-kind travel adventure. Spaces limited!
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