Walks Between Nature and Culture (B.R.I.C.A. Series)
Environmental Sustainability Days among the hamlets of Celle di Macra, in Valle Maira
About Walks Between Nature and Culture
Walking to rediscover the villages of Valle Maira
The Walks Between Nature and Culture are the heart of the "Environmental Sustainability Days" promoted by the Municipality of Celle di Macra, a tiny mountain village nestled in the Valle Maira, in the province of Cuneo (Piedmont). From April to June, a series of free events invites residents and hikers to explore the hamlets and trails of the area on foot, accompanied by the Chamin Guides, to rediscover a heritage of medieval houses, water mills, frescoed chapels, and ancient summer barns.
An itinerary through hamlets, mills, and chapels
Each walk offers a different route, generally easy and suitable for all ages. You will cross places steeped in history: Borgata Rio with its medieval houses and covered passages, Borgata Combe, known as the "Hamlet of the Mills" for its hemp beaters and water-powered machinery, the Pilone del Rio with its frescoes by Gauteri—an ancient resting place for pilgrims heading to the Sanctuary of Castelmagno—and the villages of the Sentiero dei Giganti (Path of the Giants) between the Intersile and Tibert valleys.
Occitan music and mountain flavors
Some events combine the walk with a traditional Occitan music concert—featuring groups like L'Escabòt—hosted in the Parish Church of San Giovanni, and a tasting workshop of liqueurs and typical mountain products at the Cultural Lab in Borgata Chiesa. On other days, a snack featuring local products is provided, offering a convivial moment to conclude the excursion.
The B.R.I.C.A. Project
The series is part of the cultural and social regeneration project B.R.I.C.A. — Resilient Villages of Cultural and Environmental Innovation, funded by PNRR resources under the National Strategy for Villages. Organized by the Municipality of Celle di Macra with the Pro Loco Seles, the Chamin Guides, AFP Dronero, and the Ecomuseum of the Upper Valle Maira, it is an initiative that promotes slow and sustainable tourism in one of the most authentic Occitan valleys in the Cuneo area.
Why participate
- Free guided walks to discover the hamlets of Celle di Macra
- Traditional Occitan music concerts in mountain churches
- Tastings of herbal liqueurs and typical Valle Maira products
- Easy routes suitable for families and all ages
Walks Between Nature and Culture — edition 2026
La rassegna 2026 ha proposto una serie di passeggiate guidate dalle Guide di Chamin tra le borgate di Celle di Macra, in Valle Maira. Tra mulini, cappelle affrescate e antiche grange, ogni appuntamento ha unito la scoperta del territorio a momenti di musica e gastronomia, all'interno delle "Giornate di Sostenibilità Ambientale" del progetto B.R.I.C.A.
Programme Walks Between Nature and Culture 2026
Domenica 19 aprile — Prima passeggiata
- Ritrovo ore 9:15 alla Chiesa Parrocchiale di Borgata Chiesa, partenza ore 9:30, rientro ore 12:30
Domenica 3 maggio — Passeggiata, concerto e degustazione
- 14:30 — Passeggiata naturalistico-culturale (anello di circa 4 km): Borgata Chiesa, Chiesa Parrocchiale con polittico di Hans Clemer, Borgata Castellaro, Borgata Serre, Cappella di San Sebastiano (rientro 17:30-18:00)
- 17:00 — Concerto del gruppo L'Escabòt, musica della tradizione popolare occitana, Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Giovanni
- 18:00 — Laboratorio di degustazione con l'azienda Alquimio D'OC (genzianella, genepy, achillea, sambuco) al Cultural Lab, Borgata Chiesa (prenotazione obbligatoria)
Sabato 16 maggio
- Passeggiata pomeridiana alla scoperta delle borgate, partenza ore 14:30, arrivo ore 17:30
Domenica 31 maggio / Lunedì 1 giugno
- Passeggiata nella zona del Sentiero dei Giganti tra il Vallone dell'Intersile e il Vallone del Tibert: Borgata Ugo Sottano (Cappella di San Bernardo), Ugo Soprano, grange Ramei, bosco di larici. Partenza ore 14:30 dal parcheggio di Borgata Ugo Sottano, con merenda a base di prodotti locali al Cultural Lab
Domenica 7 giugno
- Partenza ore 14:30 da Borgata Rio (ponte sul Tibert), arrivo ore 17:30. Percorso: Borgata Rio, cave e forni da calce del rio Tibert, Pilone del Rio (affreschi del Gauteri), Borgata Combe ("Borgata dei Mulini", Cappella di San Martino), Grange Chianino, Borgate Ugo Soprano e Ugo Sottano
Highlights Walks Between Nature and Culture 2026
Prices Walks Between Nature and Culture 2026
Practical information — Walks Between Nature and Culture
How to get there
Celle di Macra can be reached by car by driving up the Valle Maira from the Cuneo plains (take the Marene or Fossano motorway exit, then the provincial road towards Dronero and the valley). By train, the nearest station is Cuneo, from where you can continue by car.
Costs
All events are free. Booking is recommended or required for concerts, tastings, and snacks.
Tips
Sportswear and comfortable trekking shoes are recommended; bring water. The routes are easy but take place on mountain trails.
Contacts and bookings
Tel. +39 348 1869452 — Pro Loco Seles: [email protected] — AFP Dronero: +39 388 3704339, [email protected]
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Where does it take place — Walks Between Nature and Culture
Borgate di Celle di Macra (Valle Maira)