Trekking in Liguria: 6 routes not to be missed
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Wild nature, cliffs overlooking the crystal clear waters of the Ligurian Sea, villages of rare beauty and views that have conquered poets and artists: Liguria is a region to be discovered at a slow pace. The best way to do it is with a backpack, comfortable shoes and camera ready for breathtaking shots. Here are some tips for a bit of healthy trekking in Liguria.
There are so many options of trails, from the paths of the “cinque terre” 5 lands to the trekking routes between Liguria Ponente and di Levante. How to choose? If you are looking for some suggestions for a regenerating break from work in a true natural paradise, we'll tell you where to start.
Sentiero del Pellegrino, breathtaking views between Noli and Varigotti
For a trekking experience in Liguria with a view of the sea, between cliffs overlooking the water and panoramic views, the Sentiero del Pellegrino path between Noli and Varigotti is also ideal for those who are not highly athletic.
5 kilometers to be tackled on foot or by mountain bike interspersed with ancient deconsecrated churches, and points of particular beauty, such as the colorful Cerisola Mausoleum, decorated with tiles and ceramics, the sixteenth-century Torre delle Streghe and the Grotta dei Falsari or Briganti caves, eroded by the passage of water.
The route up to the Grotta dei Falsari is well signposted, but requires a small detour and particular attentiveness: along the route there are also ropes to hold on to so as not to slip.
The Sentiero del Pellegrino Path ends in the heart of Noli, in Piazza Don Vivaldo.
Sentiero dei Poeti, trekking along the “Alta Via del Golfo”
The Sentiero dei Poeti trail, also known as the “Alta Via del Golfo”, (the highway of the gulf), accompanies tourists and trekking lovers through three protected areas in the Cinque Terre: the Montemarcello Magra Natural Park, the Cinque Terre National Park and the Porto Venere Natural Park. Those who want to tackle it, heading through woods, vineyards and ancient stepped roads, must prepare for a 44-kilometer journey ideally divided into several days, to discover the wonders that have amazed poets and intellectuals such as Byron, Percy Shelley or Carlo Emilio Gadda.
The effort will be rewarded at the final stop in the delightful village of Lerici, from which you can enjoy a unique view of the Doria Castle of Porto Venere.
The starting point is Bocca di Magra, with the possibility of leaving the car in the car park of the village church.
Camogli-San Fruttuoso route, to discover the Levante
Among the scents and colors of the Mediterranean bush and historic buildings among the most important in the region, the Camogli-San Fruttuoso route is ideal for a day of trekking in the Liguria Levante area.
You leave from Camogli, after having left your car in the parking lot in Piazza Matteotti, and you find yourself faced with two possibilities to get to your destination. The easiest route from Camogli to San Fruttuoso, also suitable for children, takes an hour and a half and passes through Pietre Strette and Casella.
Then there is the more scenic route, that passes by the Punta Chiappa army battery, recently restored, it takes about 2 hours to get to the Abbey of San Fruttuoso, a splendid Benedictine monastery from the year 1000, after having seen the Church of San Rocco, Cala dell'Oro and Punta Torretta.
Borgio Verezzi Natures Ring
If you are looking for an easy trekking route in Liguria di Ponente, don’t miss the Borgio Verezzi Nature Trail, a splendid circular walk.
The path is suitable for all levels in all seasons and starts from Livello di Borgio, from where you have to follow the signs for Verezzi, along via Nazario Sauro. At about 800 meters, leave your car in the dirt parking area that indicates the beginning of the actual itinerary.
In 3-4 hours, the route crosses multiple natural environments and plantlife, described by special educational panels. There is no shortage of architectural and artistic beauty, such as the Church of San Martino, the Sanctuary of Maria Regina Mundi and the Mulino Fenicio, the highest point of the route from which to enjoy a breathtaking view. At the end of the route, stop at the Valdemino Caves, eroded by the waters of the Battorezza stream, it’s a must.
Laghi del Gorzente, nature trails inland
The nature path of the Laghi del Gorzente is one of the circular trekking routes in Liguria, which can be covered in about 5 hours starting from the locality of Prou Renè, where it’s possible to leave the car before setting off.
Ideal for those looking for a trekking route near Genoa, this path leads visitors to explore two of the three artificial basins of the Capanne di Marcarolo Natural Park. Lago Lungo is the first one you come across, but walking effortlessly through the woods and dirt roads, following the signs, you will quickly arrive at Lago Bruno with its two islets. But be careful: bathing in the Laghi del Gorzente is prohibited at any time of the year.
The Blue Path, the most famous trail of the Cinque Terre
The The Blue Path route of the Cinque Terre is one of the easiest to walk. In its entirety, the route winds along for 12 kilometers crossing the five villages from Riomaggiore to Monterosso.
The first part, called Via dell'Amore, is the simplest to tackle: in one kilometer you get to Manarola and from there you can decide whether to continue up to Corniglia in 2.8 kilometers. The particularly scenic part of the Blue Path from Corniglia to Vernazza requires a couple of hours on foot.
Today the Blue Path is not open to the public, but it should be fully viable again in 2024. Access to the route requires the payment of an entrance ticket. Those arriving by car can park near the La Spezia train station and reach Riomaggiore by bus or train.
