The territory of Occitania, mainly located in the south of France, stretches from the Mediterranean to the Pyrenees, touching the Atlantic and bordering areas in Italy and Spain. It’s a region rich in art, nature, history and culture, with charming mediaeval towns at the foot of imposing castles and the Oc language, used by troubadour poets in the 12th century and still in use today under the name Occitan.

Italian Occitania comprises 14 valleys in the provinces of Imperia, Turin and Cuneo. In Cuneo, the Occitan Paths have been developed, creating a perfect itinerary for trail running that links Villar San Costanzo to Dronero via the Maira Valley. In this Collection, I’ve divided the 180-kilometre (112 mi) route into five stages. In addition to this wonderful valley, running along the Percorsi Occitani will allow you to discover its many side valleys, often less known and less frequented.

The Occitan Paths run mainly on narrow singletrack, which is perfect for running, with shorter technical sections. While the route is suitable for those trying trail running for the first time, you’ll need a good level of fitness to cope with the elevation gain on some stages.

The Maira Valley is only connected to France by footpaths, preserving its authenticity. The Occitan Paths, created to revive the ancient mule tracks, lead to the discovery of symbolic places such as the Natural Reserve of the Ciciu del Villar and the Gardetta Plateau.

As there are refuges and small alpine villages throughout the valley, I recommend opting for a running vest to avoid the weight and volume of a backpack, taking only a good supply of water and a few energy snacks to keep you energised along the way. Opt for technical, breathable and rainproof clothing, add a warm layer for higher altitudes and, of course, don't forget the trusty pair of trail running shoes.

In the valley, there’s the Sherpabus, a luggage transport service that you can use if you want to lighten your load even more. I recommend that you book your overnight stays well in advance, especially in the height of summer. You can find the list of accommodation on the Percorsi Occitani association website: percorsioccitani.com/percorsi-occitani-posti-tappa (in Italian).

If you reach Villar San Costanzo by car, you can use the large car park at the Ciciu del Villar reserve. Public transport is more complicated, requiring you to take a bus from Cuneo (line 92) to Dronero and then walk to the reserve, which is long and energy-consuming. Alternatively, you can organise a private transfer. Cuneo can be reached in just over an hour by train from Turin Porta Nuova. For the return journey, you can take a direct bus from Dronero to Cuneo, or walk 3 kilometres (1.8 mi) to Villar San Costanzo or take a taxi to retrieve your car.

Lace up your shoes, grab your rucksack and immerse yourself in the Occitan Paths experience!