Dronero and the Maira Valley

After Caraglio, you pedal towards Dronero, entering the Maira Valley, an alpine valley much loved by hikers and outdoor sports enthusiasts.

. The natural hospitality here is enlivened by the sound of the Occitan language and music, especially when the hurdy-gurdy plays and has young and old dancing together at traditional festivals.

At an altitude of 621 metres asl, the town of Dronero is a jewel set on the slopes of the mountains that mark the entrance to the Maira Valley. A town of medieval origin, Dronero owes its name to the legend of the black dragon that is said to have inhabited this area. It preserves an extraordinary architectural heritage of monuments, churches and noble houses of rare beauty.

Take the time to wander through the tiny streets, squares and porticos in this enchanting village and stop to admire the view from the incredible crenellated Devil’s Bridge and the sheer drop down to the Maira River.

Also in Dronero is an ancient stone mill, still working in an area where cereal production and flour processing is still an important, highly valued tradition. It is possible to take a tour of the ancient Riviera di Dronero Mill with the Cavanna family as your guides and learn how special flours are produced, how the stone millstones work, and how the water drives the mill wheels, and you can even taste the products in the biscuit factory.