{"id":23175,"date":"2019-04-04T12:47:08","date_gmt":"2019-04-04T10:47:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecobnb.com\/blog\/?p=23175"},"modified":"2020-05-22T14:41:24","modified_gmt":"2020-05-22T12:41:24","slug":"ligurian-mountains-high-route-exploring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecobnb.com\/blog\/2019\/04\/ligurian-mountains-high-route-exploring\/","title":{"rendered":"Ligurian Mountains High Route: exploring Liguria from above"},"content":{"rendered":"

The sea, the mountains, tasty food, nature and dynamic experiences. Liguria offers anything a traveller could look for. We invite you to discover it from above, through a breathtaking and ancient path: the Ligurian Mountains High Route. From one border of the region to the other, to find out the most secret corners of it.<\/h2>\n

Who has never wondered how people could move around, centuries ago? Not only before the invention of the cars, but even earlier. When there were no carriages and many could not afford having a horse. Well, you can have a revival of that age, through a\u00a0fascinating<\/strong> itinerary<\/strong>, halfway between the earth and the sky, the peaks and the coast. It is the\u00a0Ligurian Mountains High Route<\/strong>, 440 km of paths<\/b> to explore the variety and uniqueness of Liguria.<\/p>\n

Amazing landscapes<\/h2>\n

\"Ligurian<\/p>\n

The Ligurian Mountains High Route<\/b> was walked by people since prehistory. It is made of 44 stages<\/strong>, linking the extremes of the Ligurian land, from Ventimiglia to Ceparana<\/strong>, near by the border with Tuscany. It’s feasible all year long, stopping over for the night in one of the several refuges and agritourism.<\/p>\n

Green meadows and rocks, the Alps and the shore, the Apennines and the valleys. The High Route is perfect for everyone<\/strong>, to discover the deep essence of this land. The path is tracked by a red and white blaze<\/b> marked with “AV” (stands for “Alta Via<\/em>“), to be oriented among the different trails. You can walk among sunny corners or shady woodlands, often surrounded by surreal atmospheres<\/strong>, emphasized by holographic foggy now and then. And with a breathtaking landscape<\/strong>: when the sky is clear, you can see at the same time the tops of Monviso<\/strong><\/em> and Monte Rosa <\/em>and the Corsican shore at the horizon.<\/p>\n

Some of the stages are short, sidetracks to get to or leave the High Route. Many others are hiking trails<\/strong>, some of which require many days, as the route n. 53 from Portofino to Passo della Scoffera<\/i>, and the n. 70, from Mount Zatta<\/em> to the High Path of Cinque Terre.<\/p>\n

The Ligurian Mountains High Route in 8 weekends<\/h2>\n
\"Ligurian
Map of the 44 stages of the High Route.<\/div><\/div>\n

Hundreds miles of paths and mule tracks to be walked in 8 itineraries:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Val Nervia<\/strong>: an itinerary in 4 legs, starting from Ventimiglia train station, to the Alpine landscapes of mounts Toraggio <\/em>and Pietravecchi<\/i> (more than 2000 meters high).<\/li>\n
  2. Ligurian Alps<\/strong>: 5 legs, quite demanding because they lead to the roof of Liguria, mount Saccarello<\/em> (2200 meters), cheering travellers also with amazing views on the Tanaro <\/em>and Arroscia <\/em>Valleys.<\/li>\n
  3. Melogno<\/strong>: the 6 stages of this itinerary lead to smaller altitudes, among the Savoy fortifications, the hills Colle Scravaion<\/i> and Colla San Giacomo<\/em>.<\/li>\n
  4. Beigua<\/strong>: one of the most dense woodlands in Italy, it hosts the Natural Park<\/a> and it will surprise you for the richness and variety of its flora and fauna.<\/li>\n
  5. Praglia<\/strong>: 6 legs near by the Regional County Seat, characterized by 1000 meter peaks facing the coast.<\/li>\n
  6. Scoffera<\/strong>: this path gets to the village of Barbagelata<\/em>, the “highest” of the Route (1090 meters of altitude), the mount Antola<\/em> and the Aveto Park, until mount Ramaceto<\/i>, known for its particular amphitheatre shape.<\/li>\n
  7. Zatta<\/strong>: some of the most distinctive stages of the entire Route, as mount Aiona<\/i>, with its moony aspect in winter due to ice channels, the areas of Prato Mollo <\/em>and Passo di Cento Croci<\/em>.<\/li>\n
  8. Vara<\/strong>: through the most organic valley in Italy<\/a>, here’s the end of the High Route, but not without one last hard hike on mount Gottero <\/em>(more than 1600 meters high), then following the course of the river along the Park Montemarcello-Magra<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \"Monviso
    Monviso seen from the High Route. Ph via Wikipedia<\/div><\/div>\n

    The hidden treasure of Genova<\/h2>\n

    The part of the Route above Genova<\/a><\/strong> is one of the less known (Praglia stages), perfect for those who whish to experience essential atmospheres. Around 55 km<\/strong> between legs n. 21 and n. 26<\/strong>, keeping the main city as reference point. Indeed, those already on the High Route can exit (through the Crocetta d’Orero<\/em> passage) and organize a trip to the forts system<\/strong> in the neighbourhood. Viceversa, one can start from the city to visit the forts and finally reach the big trail. A pretty suggestive solution for those leaving from Genova is to use the\u00a0narrow gauge train<\/strong>, which links Manin Square and the town of Casella in one hour.<\/p>\n

    From\u00a0Passo del Faiallo<\/em> to\u00a0Passo del Turchino<\/em> (two passes), getting through Praglia and\u00a0Passo dei Giovi<\/em>, the sight is all but boring. There are the city, the shore, the hamlets and untouched nature. And don’t miss the chance of tasting Genovese\u00a0typical products and cuisine<\/strong>, as the well-known pesto but also the fried dishes of the local municipalities.<\/p>\n

    \"Forte
    Forte Diamante (Genova), one of the Savoy forts. Ph via Wikipedia<\/div><\/div>\n

    The Ligurian Mountains High Route: a path for everyone<\/h2>\n

    The High Route, besides the remarkable length and its peculiarities, is also the arterial road of a trails network spread among the entire region<\/strong>. During the ancient times, those were walked by merchants, shepherds, woodcutters. Then abandoned for centuries, after the advent of coaches and engines later on. For a few years, they’ve been restored and made accessible again<\/strong>, with a great signage system. All thanks to the volunteers of the Italian Federation of Rambling and the Italian Alpin Club.<\/p>\n\n\t\t