A Sea of Green - Hiking Routes

A Sea of Green Hiking Routes

CONTENTS The Alpine trail along the Alta Via ridgeway of the Ligurian mountains (AVML)

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Along the AVML to Mount Saccarello

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From Bardineto to Loano

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From Acquasanta to Madonna della Guardia

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Crocefieschi, Mount Antola, Torriglia

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In the forests of the upper Aveto valley

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Vara valley and AVML

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Milano A7

Alessandria

Isola del Cantone Ronco Scrivia

A26

Gorreto

Vobbia Rossiglione Campo Ligure

Mignanego

Tiglieto Piana Crixia Dego

Torino

Piemonte

Millesimo

Roccavignale

Cosseria

Murialdo

Arenzano

A10

Pallare

Albisola Superiore

Stella

Albissola Marina

Massimino

SAVONA

Quiliano Osiglia

Bormida

Calizzano Rialto Bardineto

Mallare

Vado Ligure Orco Feglino

Calice L.

Vezzi Portio

Magliolo Tovo S. Giacomo Finale Ligure Giustenice Borgio Verezzi Erli Boissano Pietra Ligure Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena Balestrino Nasino Cosio di Arroscia Loano Toirano Armo AquilaCastelbianco Zuccarello Borghetto Mendatica di Arroscia S. Spirito Pornassio Cisano Vendone sul Neva Ceriale Montegrosso Onzo Borghetto d'Arroscia Pian Latte Arnasco Pieve Ranzo Ortovero di Teco Vessalico Villanova Albenga Garlenda d’Albenga Rezzo Cesio Casanova Lerrone A10 Triora Caravonica Testico Stellanello Alassio Aurigo Molini Borgomaro Chiusanico Villa Faraldi di Triora Laigueglia Lucinasco Pigna Carpasio Chiusavecchia Diano Arentino CastelAndora Pontedassio Prelà Montalto L. Diano San Pietro Rocchetta vittorio Vasia Cervo Nervina Diano Badalucco Dolcedo Castello Apricale Bajardo San Bartolomeo Airole Ceriana Castellaro Pietrabruna Diano Marina al Mare Olivetta Isolabona Civezza Cipressa Perinaldo San Michele Pompeiana Costarainera Dolceacqua Terzorio Taggia San Lorenzo al Mare Soldano San Biagio della Cima Santo Stefano al Mare Seborga Camporosso Arma di Taggia Riva L. Vallebona Sanremo Vallecrosia

FRANCIA

Cogoleto

Varazze Celle Ligure

Bergeggi Spotorno Noli

Voltri

Casella Torriglia

Serra Riccò Bolzaneto

Montoggio Davagna

Bargagli Pegli

GENOVA

Fascia

Valbrevenna

Savignone

Sant'Olcese Mele

Carcare Altare

Ceranesi

Sassello Pontinvrea

Cairo Montenotte Plodio

Cengio

A6

Giusvalla

Campomorone

Masone

Urbe

Mioglia

Crocefieschi

Busalla

Propata

Rovegno

Emilia Romagna

Fontanigorda

Rondanina

Rezzoaglio

Santo Stefano d'Aveto

Montebruno Neirone

Favale di Malvaro

Moconesi

Lumarzo Lorsica Borzonasca Uscio Cicagna Avegno Orero Pieve Ligure Boccadasse Tribogna Mezzanego Coreglia Ligure Nervi Bogliasco Sori S. Colombano Certenoli Leivi Recco Rapallo Ne Carasco Varese L. Camogli Zoagli Maissana Santa Margherita Ligure Cogorno Chiavari Portofino Lavagna Casarza Ligure Carro Sestri Levante Castiglione Chiavarese

A12

Toscana Sesta Godano

Carrodano

Moneglia Deiva Marina

Framura

Borghetto di Vara

Bonassola Levanto

Zignago

Brugnato

Pignone

Monterosso al Mare Vernazza

Parma

Rocchetta di Vara

Calice al Cornoviglio

A12

Riccò del Golfo di Spezia Follo

LA SPEZIA Riomaggiore

A15

Beverino Bolano

Santo Stefano di Magra Vezzano L. Sarzana Arcola

Ortonovo

Lerici Porto Venere

Castelnuovo Magra

Ameglia Montemarcello

Livorno

IMPERIA

Ventimiglia

Ospedaletti Bordighera

Montecarlo

2

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The Alpine trail along the Alta Via ridgeway of the Ligurian mountains (AVML) Where brightly coloured nature can be found.

Realdo P.so della Guardia 1461

C.la di Sanson C. de Marte 2136

Bold green in summer, blanket of white in Winter and an explosion of colours in June and July. A few kilometres from the sea, on the Toraggio and Pietravecchia mountains, you’ll come up against pristine nature. Wooded landscapes framed by solemn mountaintops extend their welcome to you.

Follow trails and old mule tracks along gorges and rock walls to get to the highest refuges. Regenerate and experience all the emotions of the mountains.

DURATION: 6-7 hours RECOMMENDED PERIOD: late spring - early summer for the fantastic flowering of the rhododendrons; autumn for the colour of the larches DIFFICULTY: EE (skilled hikers) DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL POINTS: Nuovo Franco Allavena refuge at Colla Melosa (1545 m)

Creppo C.la Melosa 1540 Loreto M. Pietravecchia 2040 M. Toraggio 1970Buggio

Triora

Cetta

Molini di Triora Carmo Albarozza 979 Pian d.

Moro

Lago di Tenarda

S.Giovanni dei Prati

Pigna

T. NĂŠrvia 4

Mad. del Carmine

Castel Vittorio R. Bonda

M. Mera 1063

nte Co

M. Ceppo 1627

Croce di Praesto

Vignai

Baiardo 898

T. Ox e

ntina Mount Pietravecchia

5

STAGES • Unmade road that climbs from Colla Melosa to the Grai refuge and on to Fontana Italo (1660 m, 20’).

• Trail along a rocky hillside with sparse conifers and lush undergrowth of rhododendrons.

• Open trail with views over the Pietravecchia; you might catch sight of a golden eagle or a short-toed eagle.

• Mule track along the limestone ramparts of the Pietravecchia, the southernmost 2000 of the Alps.

• Spring of San Martino (1580 m) with a view of the rocky peak of the Toraggio.

• The trail descends and vertically cuts across the southern walls of the Pietravecchia.

• A series of steep hairpin bends rise up along the Incisa Gorge (1680 m, 2h 15’) between Pietravecchia and Toraggio, on the Italian-French border, between Nervia valley and Roia valley.

• An exposed trail cuts along the Italian side of Mount Toraggio, cut into the rock by the Alpini between 1936 and 1938 to allow soldiers and mules to travel along inaccessible zones; you hike between vertical walls and an environment that feels a bit like the Himalayas; there are metal ropes to help hikers in the most exposed sections; along the Sentiero degli Alpini track, from May to June you can enjoy the flowering of the Saxifraga lingula-

Saxifraga lingulata

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ta, one of the many endemic botanical species of the Ligurian Alps.

The trail crosses over the eastern ridge of the Toraggio and descends until joins the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri (1660 m).

It rises again through meadows along the Alta Via towards the Fonte Dragurina pass (1810 m, 3h 30’), on the ridge between the Italian Nervia valley and the French Roia valley, at a spring that bubbles from a rocky ravine on the south-western side of the Toraggio.

It continues in French territory along the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri under the rocky outcrops of the Toraggio, amongst larches that in September are bursting with the splendid shades of yellow and brown, and an undergrowth of evergreen bushes, blueberries, raspberries and rhododendrons.

At this point the trail is back at Incisa gorge (1680 m) but on the western French side.

Continue along the French side of the Alta Via – Roia valley – until the Valletta pass (1910 m, 5 h) home to a large colony of chamois.

It comes back to Nervia valley in Italy and the return offers the sight of Colla Melosa.

Before it joins the road that rises to the Grai refuge, at a spring there is a track (red triangle) that goes down towards Fontana Italo.

The same unmade road taken on the outward bound journey is followed to return to the Allavena refuge.

Mount Pietravecchia

Mount Toraggio

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Along the AVML to Mount Saccarello Between the Impero valley and the Arroscia valley, R. the highest peak in Liguria. Where you can experience Ci ap i no emotions at a high altitude.

Upega

T. Negrone

C.la Rossa

Isola

Piaggia

The peak of mount Saccarello - the memorial marker stone of the Alpini

el

C.la S.Bernardo 1263 Monesi

Pian Latte

P.so Garlenda 1801 2021 C.e Garezzo Realdo P.so della Guardia M.Monega 1461 1882 Verdeggia

Parco Naturale Regionale delle Alpi Liguri Creppo

C.la Melosa

Loreto Cetta

C.la di Langàn 1127 8

941

Cosio di Arroscia

C.ma Garlenda Rif. Tre Pini2141 Montegrosso Rif. Sanremo

Ponte di Nava Nava

Mendatica

M. Saccarello 2200

Aimoni Quarzina

r a na T .

T

le Salse

P.so di Tanarello

Pornassino

C.di Piano Cavallo 1896

lo

B r i ga A l t a

C.le di Nava

At two thousand, two hundred metres above sea level it’s easy to touch the sky with your fingertips.

Set off and get ready to feel the true essence of nature, crystal clear air that gives high definition views - on the horizon is the sea and around rise green peaks of pastures that turn white with snow in Winter. An unexpected landscape in Liguria, which gives room and honour to the mountains.

Pornassio

Ottano

S. Luigi Trovasta

Ponti

DURATION: about 7 hours RECOMMENDED PERIOD: from the thaw until the first snowfalls, from around late March to late October. In winter only for expert cross-country skiers DIFFICULTY: E (hikers) DEPARTURE POINTS: Nava (934 m) ARRIVAL POINTS: Sanremo refuge (2054 m)

Acquetico

T. A

M.Prearba 1446

P.te di Passi Rezzo 744

rros

cia

Cenova

iara T. G

ra nte i Trio o S.Bernardo C id n Drego di Cónio i Triora l o P.so di Teglia M Andagna1387 M. Grande R.ca di Andagna 1418 Conio Carmo Albarozza Sup. Agaggio 979 Inf. Hillside of Nava - Central fortress

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At the Colle di Nava (934 m) the Alta Via detaches itself from the asphalt of the SS 28 (the Colle di Nava road) that connects Imperia with the Tanaro valley and Piedmont. Following the signs, take a secondary road that rises in a north-west direction and heads into the woods, turning unmade.

Next to a concrete construction, to the right take a mule track that rises steeply to Fort Pozzanghi (about 1120 m) dominating the open plains of the Colle di Nava; very scenic on the watershed between the Tanaro and Arroscia valleys, it is part of the system of fortifications of the Nava barricade constructed in the late 19th century.

Go around the fort on the southern side and continue along the Tanaro valley side on a small road travelling between the pines along the northern side of Poggio Pozzanghi. Then go back into the woods, staying just upstream of the SP 100 provincial road that lades from Nava to San Bernardo di Mendatica.

The ridge is wooded, although it has no large centuries-old trees, the setting is pretty, particularly when the mountains closing the upper Tanaro valley to the north appear: this is a series of limestone crests between 2400 and 2600 metres a.s.l., from Pizzo d’Ormea to Mongioie right through to the more distant -

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and from here not visible - Marguareis.

Once at the Colla dei Boschetti (1229 m) the Alta Via crosses the provincial road and continues westwards with pleasant walks through the woodlands. Observing to the north the limestone walls of Tanaro valley in Piedmont and to the south the woods of the Arroscia valley, you pass the Colla del Fieno (1241 m) and continue along the shady south side, until you get to the small village of San Bernardo di Mendatica (3 h / 1265 m) with a hotel-restaurant and a spring of uncontrolled fresh water; this is where the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri (AVML) trail no. 6 starts.

From the entry of the SP2, the trail winds up between houses and enters a beech forest on the Tanaro side; this is an almost pure beech grove offering a magnificent variety of colours as the seasons change. This section of the trail is part of a “circuit for the blind” with signs in Braille describing the zone and the surrounding nature.

Approaching Margheria Garlenda (1590 m circa) continue on the meadow between sparse larch trees overlooking Mount Mongioje and other peaks of the upper Tanaro valley. The larches are magnificent in Autumn when the needles turn yellow.

It arrives at the turf of Goletta di Garlen-

Statue of Christ the Redeemer on the lower peak of Mount Saccarello

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da (1855 m) and from here it looks over the Arroscia valley with the sea in the distance.

Amongst larches, herbs and rocks, it climbs up to the top of Omo dell’Arpetta (2051 m) and the statue of the Madonna on Mount Frontè looks very close.

From Cima Garlenda (5h 30’/ 2141 m) with its high stone cairns it is possible to glimpse the burrows of marmots.

It goes around the top of Mount Frontè, past the pass of the same name (2081 m), and from here it is possible to see the Sanremo refuge and Mount Saccarello. It continues along the Tanarello valley side until the Garlenda pass (2015 m). From here a 10-minute digression leads up to the top of Mount Frontè, and with its height of 2151 metres this is the second highest peak of the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri.

From Garlenda pass, the trail heads along the south side of the upper Argentina valley; it continues along the north side amongst splendid pastures, with a view toward the compact village of Piaggia, surrounded by the terracing that rise up the slopes. Next to the Garlenda pass are the large ruins of some military barracks; from the pass there are beautiful views of the vertical southern side of Mount Saccarello.

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It arrives at the Sanremo refuge (6h 15’/ 2054 m) son a small plain, where it is possible to stay overnight.

Once here it is possible to take a short hike along the Alta Via trail 5, which is also suitable for mountain bikes and horses, to Mount Saccarello. The ascent is rapid, easy and pleasant; it follows the ridge and arrives at the arrival station of the chair lift that rises up from Mònesi di Triora to the Sella della Valletta (2050 m circa); from here, the northern side, the Tanarello is in Piedmont and the path continues along this side because the southern Ligurian side is vertical.

The tall statue of the Redeemer (2164 m) erected in 1902, rises upwards to the sky facing south, towards the Argentina valley, Liguria and the sea.

It only takes a few minutes to get the top of Mount Saccarello (7 h / 2201 m), Liguria’s highest peak, with the four-metre high memorial stone of the Alpini. Magnificent view over the Ligurian Alps, the tops of the Roia valley and Mount Bego, sacred to the prehistoric Ligurians, this is where the Tanaro, Roia e Argentina valleys join; since 1947 the top of Saccarello is actually a few metres across the border in French territory.

It is then an easy return to the Sanremo refuge.

Slopes of Mount Saccarello

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From Bardineto to Loano From the upper Bormida valley to the sea across Mount Carmo, the southernmost peak of the Ligurian Alps.

A panorama that leaves you speechless.

1293 Isallo

Bec Agnellino Bardineto 1335 Strada Muschieto Giogo di 807 Toirano

Carpe

.M

12

sul Neva

ev

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Salea

Set off along magnificent trails in the woods, amongst bushes and wildflowers. Then continue through the beech groves of the upper Bormida valley, followed by the pastures through to a rocky mountain. Breath-taking views await you on the

Riviera di Ponente, amongst valleys and hills that look as if they have been drawn. Then from the top, you head down towards the sea, admiring the landscape from another perspective.

Balzi Rossi coast (Magliolo, Maremola valley)

Ranzi

Verzi

PIETRA LIG.

Boissano

Toirano M.Acuto

747 o t Riserva tinet Naturale Mar ente di Rio Torsero c s n Co Cisano Peagna

T. N

Tovo S.Giacomo

View from Mount Carmo

Grotte di Toirano

Balestrino

Zuccarello

Nuovo

T. Nimb Giustenice alto

Baresci llo on e

di R.ca Barbena

Bardino

arem ola

S.Lorenzo

M.Ravinèt 1061

Castelvecchio T. Varate Vecersio

Magliolo T

M.Carmo 1389

S.la Alzabecchi 693

Mad. della Guardia

DURATION: 7 hours RECOMMENDED PERIOD: April to October; hiking is possible on the sections facing the sea side all year-round but on the Po valley side and on the Carmo it snows in Winter, at times very hard DIFFICULTY: E (hikers) DEPARTURE POINTS: Bardineto (710 m) ARRIVAL POINTS: Verzi (220 m)

Loano

BORGHETTO S.SPIRITO

Borghetto S. Spirito Ceriale Sant’Eugenio

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From the cemetery of Bardineto follow the road to Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena for two hundred metres to two trails that branch off to the left; take the one that rises towards the southeast amongst the pines until you get to the small church of San Nicolò (741 m).

Climb up along the ridge amongst pines and bushes going up and down and touching the Costa delle Magliane hillside (810 m), the Bassa dei Morti downside and the Costa Surie hillside (848 m), until you get to a saddle (821 m) where it runs into a mule track arriving from Bardineto.

Climb up the mule track, leaving the detour for the Giogo di Toirano yoke to the left and reach the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri at Valloni (900 m circa).

A short path along the Alta Via leads to the Giogo di Toirano (807 m / 1h 45’) where the provincial road connecting Bardineto and Toirano passes.

Keep going along the Alta Via eastwards amongst bushes, hazelnuts, brush, sparse woodlands, forested areas and rocky outcrops; the wildflowers in Spring are interesting; climb up the pebbly peak of Bric

Valley del Vero - Toirano

14

Pagliarina (1213 m) and going up and down amongst the pastures and some small beeches you will reach the rocky, scenic and Alpine top of Mount Carmo (1389 m / 3h 45’), splendid views over the Riviera di Ponente, Versilia, the Ligurian sea, Corse and the island of Elba; behind the Ligurian Alps, Monterosa, Cervino and the Piedmont and Lombard Alps.

• Hike up and down: on the smaller peak of the southeast - the Carmetto - you will find a marked trail of two red squares.

• At 1289 metres a.s.l. you will find a refuge called “Amici del Carmo” with an inn that is always open.

• Head down along the rocky crests, zigzagging through the woods to arrive at the welcoming Pian delle Bosse refuge (841 m / 4h 45’).

• Take the same trail to go down into the woods to the “della Castagna” parking area, end of the unmade road that climbs up from Loano.

• The trail continues downwards at times through the woods at times on the road until it reaches the Corma farmstead, and then from there down to the parish church of Verzi, behind Loano.

Southern sides of Mount Ravinet

The Nimbalto waterway

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From Acquasanta to Madonna della Guardia The mystical side of the mountains. An intense, spectacular hike over the windy, scenic mountains of the Genoese Apennines.

M.Orditano Piani di

Praglia

S.Martino

958

Ceranesi

Gazzolo M.Proratado

Set for a journey that will fill your spirit and will open up new perspectives for you. You will be greeted by the solemnity of the mountains, the contrast with the sea, so close, and green mantles of velvet. A place that seems to be suspended in time, with something magical about it.

DURATION: 4 h 30 min RECOMMENDED PERIOD: Spring, Autumn DIFFICULTY: E (hikers) DEPARTURE POINTS: Sanctuary of N.S. Acquasanta (230 m) ARRIVAL POINTS: Sanctuary of Madonna della Guardia (806 m)

928

Passo del Turchino 532

Giutte

Mad. della Guardia

P. Martin

Carpenara M.Riondo

T. Var enn

Biscaccia

a

1001 S.Carlo di Cese

Bec 660 di Teiolo Murta M.Contessa 550 Rivarolo

Acquasanta 713

Mele

Mad. del Gazzo

GENOVA VOLTRI

GENOVA PEGLI Borzoli GENOVA

AEROPORTO

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Voltri Palmaro

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The Acquasanta Sanctuary

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Take the road from the sanctuary of N.S. dell’Acquasanta going up to Giutte. From here, the trail is marked with an empty red triangle. After one hundred metres, take a mule track on the left that rises up between drywalls, houses and a grove of false acacias forming a pine forest. The substrata of serpentinite rocks, typical of the rocky formation known as Gruppo di Voltri is clear.

Climb up amongst woods and meadows, houses and cultivates strips of land to a scenic point on the asphalted road, at Colle Re (483 m / 45’) where it is easy to see the 1001 metre tall rocky Martin Point.

The path rises between woods, bushes and meadows to Colle Veleno (643 m/ 1h 30’), large plain with marshy ditches carved by the rains, where carnivorous plants live. This is where the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri passes.

Continue along the AVML towards the east, on the ridge between marine valleys and Sturla valley.

After Bric Marino (799 m) the landscape becomes harsher and more rocky, with sparse fauna, a few black pines that support the high traces of magnesium in the ophiolite and serpentinite rocky substrata, flattened and twisted by the wind.

Amongst a few beeches and an old stone shepherds “casella” box you get to a spring and the Colle Gandolfi (936 m / 3h 15’).

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View from the Sanctuary of Nostra Signora della Guardia

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It’s a short hike to Mount Pennello (995 m / 2h 30’) with its unforgettable views over the whole of Liguria, and the Ligurian Sea through to Corse, Monviso and Monterosa. The “Zucchelli” bivouac on the mountain is accessible if required.

The trail heads back along the Alta Via to the Colle Gandolfi and continues northeast in a wild, deserted, silent, rocky landscape, extremely suggestive when covered in snow.

You arrive at the Colla del Proratado (890 m / 3h 15’) where you leave the Alta Via and follow the full red triangle to the Polcevera valley Here you hike through grass, rocks and a few beeches.

You go into the chestnut and oak woods in a much gentler landscape.

At Rocca Maia (668 m / 3h 45’) the serpentinite rocks make way for the limestone, dolomite rocks that are more favourable to vegetation; the tour continues through the mixed woods to the houses of Lencisa (568 m / 4h) on the ridge between upper Polcevera valley and Varenna valley.

Follow the road towards the sanctuary of the Guardia, then passing onto an unmade road on the right, on the old unused road to the sanctuary, to the inn of the Bossero.

From the inn you climb up to the path built for the 2000 Jubilee to the Sanctuary of Madonna della Guardia, site of religious devotion and splendid views (806 m / 4h 30’).

The Gruppo di Voltri rock formations

Sanctuary of Nostra Signora della Guardia

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Crocefieschi, Mount Antola, Torriglia Discovering Mount Antola, a noble presence in a backdrop of green and flowers.

Montessoro 1137 Mongiardino

Piansuolo Castello della Pietra

Dova Sup.

Casalbusone Arezzo Vigogna

M.Cravi

T.

Vobbia Crocefieschi

Alpe

Parco Naturale

Clavarezza Nenno

Pareto

M. Buio 1400 Tonno Chiappa

Capanne di Carrega

dell’Antola

M.Candelozzo Moranego 1036

Torriglia Marzano Laccio

Tercesi Scoffera

Porto Serra Costafontana Passo Portello

Cavorsi 1092 1134 M. Montaldo

674 Passo della Scoffera

Boasi

20

he

6 22 N.

T. L M.Bano accio Lago di1035

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Fallarossa

Montoggio

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DURATION: 6 h 30 min RECOMMENDED PERIOD: April to November DIFFICULTY: E (hikers) DEPARTURE POINTS: Crocefieschi (760 m) ARRIVAL POINTS: Torriglia (765 m)

Garaventa

T. Pentemina Scabbiabella Donetta

Bromia

Val Noci

Bavastri

Lago del Brugneto

ssi

Bavastrelli

a T.C

CasĂ

A journey to get to know an emblem of the Genoese mountains. The green velvet profile of Antola, with its lush, varied nature of flowers, is there waiting for you. Set off on foot, or if you prefer, on a bike or on horseback. A typical landscape of the Genoese valleys to discover amongst woods and meadows, scenic roads and magnificent lake views.

M. Antola Caprile 1597 Propata

Senarega Frassinello M. Liprando Pentema Buoni 1122

Mount Antola

Cappella Tre Croci

T. Brevenna

Avosso

Vegni

A Magioncalda

Regionale

Valbrevenna

Ligure

Berga

Noceto Vallenzona

Strassera

Carrega

gn ell asc a

Caprieto

992 Torre

Cartasegna

Ligure Gordena

Crovara

Reopasso pass

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From the township that was “crossroads (of salt ways) of the Fieschi family” (local lords), follow the road with the yellow markers leading to the hamlets of Crebaia and Alpe.

300 metres after the turnoff to Cremaia, turn right onto an unmade concrete road then right again onto the trail in the woodlands where there are no signs.

Keep going in the open meadows with orchids and gentians and strips of woods. Lovely views of the conglomerates of Savignone, the rocks of Reopasso and the Pietra castle.

Turn left at the top of Mount Preventino (1038 m) to head down to the settlement of La Crocetta (966 m / 1h 05’).

Continue along the road to Alpe in a scenic section facing south in the Brevenna valley, admiring the limestone outcrops of the Antola, once full of fossil traces.

At the Incisa pass (1070 m / 1h 35’) leave the road and head up the northern side of Mount Alpisella alongside the beeches of Mount Riundo to the area with facilities of Pian del Curlo then to the peak of Mount Buio (1400 m / 2h 35’) where the view ranges from Liguria to Piedmont.

Continue along the ridge, sometimes amongst the beeches on the north side in Pied-

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mont and others amongst the meadows on the south side in Liguria until you get to Mount Antola (1597 m / 3h 35’) marked by its white cross. Splendid views of the Maggiorasca and Penna mountains and the more distant Apuan mountains to the east, the Alps to the west, the sea and Corse to the south and Brugneto lake down below at the foot.

The meadows of the Antola are famous for the spring flowering of narcissuses, wild orchids, gentians, arnica, violets and nigritella.

Go past the old, abandoned Musante refuge to head down the south side towards the new Parco Antola refuge at 1460 m following the route marked with yellow cross and two yellow dots.

The trail with two yellow dots goes up and down amongst beeches and open spaces with views of Brugneto lake and the Trebbia valley through to the Colletto pass (1318 m / 5h 40’) open on the upper Scrivia valley.

Go quickly down through woods and chestnut groves to the small village of Donetta 998 m / 6h 10’).

Follow the two yellow dots again to the ruins of Torriglia castle then following the empty yellow triangle go down further to get to the centre of Torriglia (765 m / 6h 30’).

Orchis Mascula

Antola refuge

Torriglia La torta di mele ”pai” di Fascia

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In the forests of the upper Aveto VALLEY Amongst the magical forests of the upper Aveto valley and the rocks of the top of Mount Aiona.

Extraordinary, unexpected places.

S.Stefano

M. Maggiorasca

d’Aveto

Madonna del Prato Pievetta

Casaleggio

T. Gr

Rezzoaglio

a

1799 N.654

Allegrezze Villa

miz Isola Rotonda za Magnasco Brignole Villanoce Gramizza Molini Cerisola

M. Tomarlo Alpicella

Mount Aiona

1602

1399 Amborzasco Lago Riserva Naturale Passo del Villacella delle Agoraie di Sopra Romezzano Farfanosa Lame e Moggetto M. Chiodo M. Fascia 1465 1195 M. degli Abeti M. Aiona Capp. d. Bozale M. Penna 1695 Parco1542 M. Nero Lago di Naturale Prato Mollo 1671 1735 Giacopiane Regionale Bertigaro la Scaletta 1439 dell’Aveto M. Bregaceto Grondana M. Agugiaia 1171 Campeggi Pianazzo 1090 Prato Sopralacroce

e nn a .P

T

Brizzolara

M. Cucco 1048 Borzonasca

1237 M. Ghiffi

Abbazia di Passo Borzone Montemoggio 956 del Bocco Giaiette

Got to the heart of the Genoese Apennines that provides the backdrop to the Tigullio Gulf, to discover its greenest scenarios. Head right into the lush fir forests that never change, as if they were enchanted, then rocky meadows covered in flowers in spring, small waterfalls and chapels.

Then let yourself be surprised by one of the most curious, unusual works of nature, a flat mountain with an almost moonscape appearance.

DURATION: 5 hours RECOMMENDED PERIOD: April to November; with snow and ice it turns into an Alpine ski tour DIFFICULTY: E/EE (hikers/skilled hikers) DEPARTURE POINTS: Gramizza (760 m) ARRIVAL POINTS: Magnasco (820 m)

Menta

M. Pollano 1081 Cassego Top of Mount Aiona

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The hike starts from the coach stop in the township of Gramizza; the trail is marked with a full yellow triangle through to Amborzasco then an empty yellow rhombus to Mount Aiona.

A stone mule track rises through the woods to join the road, then continues on the asphalt for a few bends until you see another mule track on the left.

Continue amongst the meadows, at some homes and again on the provincial road until you get to the church of Amborzasco (873 m / 20’) and its cemetery.

The trail continues from in front of the church and rises amongst the homes with the yellow rhombus marker.

The mule track heads through fields and pastures, while to the right Mount Penna is clearly visible; you will run into a chapel and a water spring.

A narrow trail on the left rises steeply between cultivated fields and pastures, past some buildings and a wooden shrine, then it heads steeply into the woods up to an electrified fence for grazing animals.

Continue above a river in a more open environment; the northern side of the Aiona comes into view.

Along the Alta Via

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You reach the unmade forestry road that heads back up steeply, with great views; Mount Maggiorasca appears on the right.

Continue past the fence with a gate on a wide unmade road through the thick forest.

Cross over a brook and on the left is the fork for Spingarda pass.

Continue on a wide unmade road that rises up to a scenic point; from here you can admire some important local peaks - the Penna, the Tomarlo and the Groppo Rosso.

Go past the small waterfall of the Ronco del Diavolo waterway and with some steep bends, you’ll get to a barrier, then just beyond, the Spingarda pass (1551 m / 2h 30’).

Take the 33rd stage of the Alta Via in a westerly direction, cross a suggestive environment of grassy rocks almost bare of trees.

After a short section you’ll see the branch (empty red triangle) that climbs back up the slopes of Mount Aiona (1701 m / 3 h). This is the highest peak of the main Ligurian watershed in the east; the top of Aiona is not a real peak, it’s a highland with a completely unique scenario in Liguria, fascinating with the sun and in the light of a full moon - it’s almost flat, has no trees, no bushes, with low-

lying grass, detritus, boulders and pools of water. It’s a highland desert, a rocky, windy, pebbly and silent landscape. When the sky is cloudless and the air is clear, the views cover the whole of north-western Italy and all the Ligurian sea to the Tuscan islands, Corse and to the most distant Ligurian Alps.

• Head south from the top and you’ll run into the Alta Via almost straight away; this descends slightly and is clearly marked by wooden pickets, essential when the snow is high.

It passes first of all through rocky masses and detritus then on the grassy ridge of Pian delle Pumme (1615 m).

• From here the gravelly, loose trail heads down into the beech forest to rapidly arrive at the Prè del Lame pass (1537 m / 3 h 30’) connecting the Aveto valley with the upper Sturla valley. At the pass, leave the Alta Via to head north, on the Aveto side along the steep trail marked with two yellow lines.

• Head down amongst the beeches to a fork (about 1435 m) where there is a sign for Cerighetto pass (to the right); take the trail on the left until you get to a second fork (1425 m) then continue to descend to the right along an old mule trail that hugs a lively brook and

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continue down through the beech grove to a scenic hillock where you can enjoy the views of the tops of Mounts Aiona, Maggiorasca, Antola, Alfeo and Lèsima.

A fork goes to the right; now the trail is gentler and with delightful views over the Aveto valley, descends through woodlands and clearings to a crossroad (about 1050 m). From here, to the left, rising slightly and passing alongside the hotel that overlooks the stretch of water below, you can reach the green Lake of Lame (1043m / 4 h 30’), the most touristy (but highly suggestive) of the many small lakes in the Aveto Regional Park.

From here the road is bitumen, and goes down towards Magnasco, but to pick up the trail again - marked with the double yellow lines you need to ascend to the crossroads at 1050 m, then go down through the conifer forest: this trail crosses the asphalt road a few times and descends through the forest, meadows and farmlands; careful of the next branches, particularly the one at 873 m between two rural laneways where there is no signage, you need to head to the right to end up in the hamlet of Magnasco (823 m / 5 h) on SP 654 road, where there is a coach stop and the route ends.

Lago degli Abeti (fir lake)

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Vara VALLEY and AVML Amongst white firs and wind blades, flowered meadows and rocky grass, towards the top of Mount Gottero, the gentleman of the La Spezia valleys.

M. Scassella Montegroppo

1228

Taglieto

T. Sto ra

Caranza Porciorasco Teviggio

T. Gotr a

Squarci

M. Focetto 1538

1640

View from the top of Mount Gottero

Foce dei Tre Confini

M. Gottero1408

Leave the villages behind you and cross the countryside of the upper Vara valley, amongst grazing cattle, farmsteads and shady beech groves. Then continue along the grassy peak of Mount Gottero, amongst wild rabbits and the flight of birds of prey. One of the most spectacular observation points of eastern Liguria is waiting for you, with views that range through to the Apuans and Versilia.

Adelano

M.Malone Ornetto Patigno Castello 1306 Chiusola 1047 Coloretta M. Faccio Foce di Lisorno Rastello 873 Antessio Montale Groppo Pignona Rio Torpiana

M. Coppa 994

6 56 N.

F.V ar a

DURATION: 6 h 30 min RECOMMENDED PERIOD: almost year-round except in winter if the snow is covering Mount Gottero DIFFICULTY: T/E (tourist/hikers) DEPARTURE POINTS: Caranza (680 m) ARRIVAL POINTS: Chiusola (605 m)

T.Gotte ro

Costola

Sesta Godano

Sasseta Vezzanelli Wind blades in Varese Ligure

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Caranza is a small village in the woods, with a large church and some fine portals in sculpted sandstone. From the bus stop take the asphalt road that heads up amongst the flowering meadows, grazing cattle and rural houses with roofs of ciappe. The road is marked as route no. 49, the markings are white-red and it is the AVML trail no. 72.

• The ascent ends at Caranza pass (1075 m / 1 h 30’) where it meets the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri, which follows the narrow asphalt road connecting Cento Croci pass with Cappelletta pass.

• Follow the road and the Alta Via in a south-easterly direction, observing the valleys below descending towards Varese Ligure.

• You will arrive at Cappelletta pass (1083 m / 2 h), on the border of Liguria and Emilia Romagna, with the small Marian chapel topped by the large white blades of the wind farm supplying electricity to Varese Ligure.

• Leave the asphalt behind as it goes down towards Taro valley in Emilia; the Alta Via continues to the right, then takes a sharp turn to the left on a trail that heads upwards along a grassy ridge; you will reach a cross commemorating a pilot who fell here, and from here you can enjoy the lovely views over the upper Vara valley, Taro valley, the wind blades, the distant mountain peaks.

• You enter and leave through a barbed wire fence bounding a pasture on the Emilian side, and you will run into an unmade road that runs along a thick forest of white firs that then becomes a beech forest; it is possible to catch sight of wild rabbits in the grass and some large birds of prey circling above.

• Walk through the large, elegant beech grove covering both the Ligurian and the Emilian sides of Mount Gottero.

• Reach the Lupo pass (or Bocca) at about 1250 metres, then you’ll arrive at the fork, where the main trail of the Alta Via continues along the left slope of the northern, Emilian side of the mountain.

• Take the trail marked AV2 that rises to the right towards the ridge leading to the top of the Gottero. Beneath the beeches you’ll reach the ridge and follow it quite faithfully; at an altitude of 1480 metres to the right of

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the trail is an ancient but very well preserved marker stone at the border.

• At 1540 metres a.s.l. on the ridge, the beeches are more squat and bent over by the wind, and the cross at the top of Mount Gottero appears before your eyes. At 1550 metres a.s.l on the Ligurian side, the woods end and the meadows begin, and the Varese valley below appears, with the secondary small valleys and all the mountains around it.

• You’ll reach the soft grassy peak of Mount Gottero (1639 m / 3 h 30’) that is the highest point in the zone; if the weather is fine, the view takes in a completely panoramic view of the “nearby” Zatta, Aiona and Penna mountains to the distant peaks of the Apuans, the Ligurian and Tuscan-Emilian Apennines right through to the Ligurian, Piedmont and Lombard Alps. Below is the whole province of La Spezia, Versilia, the Mar Ligure and the upper Tirrena with Corse and most of the Tuscan archipelago.

• Head down easterly direction along the grassy ridge to a small flat area at an altitude of about 1590 metres; here there is the marker stick indicating the start of the trail that descends to the villages of Rio and Chiusola, marked by the white-red strip.

• Leave the Alta Via and start the steep descent down to the valley, through rocky grass and outcrops of compact, hard, polished sandstone.

• Go back into the beech grove to reach the clearing of the Servadesco saddle (1265 m) and the Aia delle Guardie (1136 m), a lovely clearing amongst the beeches.

• Here to the right is the start of the mule track that descends to Rio (AVML ring trail no. 73 with the AVML), but take it to the left to go down to Chiusola along the AVML ring trail no. 74. The trail is very steep, pebbly and slippery; it crosses through the beech grove first, then a pine forest and in the end it enters a chestnut grove where there are some fine examples of this tall tree.

• The trail then turns into an unmade road that offers lovely views of Gòttero and the mountains and of the La Spezia hills, in the end heading down through the houses to the village of Chiusola (605 m / 6 h 30’) nestled on a rocky outcrop jutting over the river below.

Foce dei Tre Confini mountain pass

Chiusola

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Adult male fallow deer in the Ligurian Apennines

Programma di Sviluppo Rurale 2007 - 2013

Fondo Europeo Agricolo per lo Sviluppo Rurale - l’Europa investe nelle zone rurali GAL Riviera dei Fiori - Le Vie dei Sapori e dei Colori • GAL Comunità Savonesi Sostenibili GAL Le Strade della Cucina Bianca, del Vino, dell'olio, dell'orto-frutta della Tradizione Ligure GAL Appennino Genovese • GAL Valli del Genovesato • GAL Valli del Tigullio GAL Provincia Della Spezia - Val di Vara e Riviera Spezzina

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