Next departures

October 1 – October 5, 2024
The Altavia of the Ligurian Alps
Walking between the mountains and the sea, we’ll discover the fascinating history of the Ligurian Finale area. We’ll explore villages, churches, medieval castles, and nineteenth-century forts, as well as prehistoric and Roman relics. Our journey will take us through terraced olive groves, Mediterranean scrub forests, and the cliffs of Finale, with the Ligurian Sea always in the background.
General Information
Duration:
5 days 4 nights
Participants:
maximum 8
Difficulty:
Activities:
🥾 hiking
Transport:
public transport, private vehicles.
Type of accommodation:
Agriturismo, B&B, mountain shelter

The journey at a glance

The small mediaeval village of Finalborgo, encircled by walls and still carefully preserved, with its palaces, churches, and cloisters, stands among the rocks of Finale, dominated by Castel Gavone and its “Diamond Tower”, surrounded by terraced olive groves, wild forests, and limestone cliffs that vertically cut through the green hills. Behind us lie the Maritime Alps, and in front, the Ligurian Sea.
The roads and paths of Finale are rich with a variety of archaeological and architectural treasures: from prehistoric caves and Roman ruins to the route once travelled by the ‘Infanta di Spagna’ on her journey to Vienna, and the fortresses of the Royal Army. These historic sites are just a glimpse of the many points of interest we will encounter along our journey. As we reach the Ligurian Alps, we cross the karst area of Monte Carmo and climb to its summit, which, at 1389 metres, dominates the Ligurian Riviera. With our eyes always fixed on the horizon where the sea merges with the sky, we descend to Toirano, renowned for its extensive cave system where traces of human civilization dating back to prehistory have been found.

Gallery

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Costs

Service cost: 310€
Registration fee: 250€
This journey is operated through the agency “Le Vie dei Canti”, click here for info and bookings.

Day-by-Day Program
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Day 1
Finalborgo and night hike
‎‎3km +200m 1.5h
Meeting in Finalborgo in the afternoon or in the evening. Optional visit to the village and archaeological museum, dinner in a local trattoria, and brief night hike to reach the accommodation where we will spend the night, passing through the washhouses, the ancient hamlet of Perti, and walking along cobblestone paths that climb the hill up to the “Cinque Campanili” church. For those arriving in Finalborgo after 9 PM, the meeting point is directly at the Agriturismo l'Alveare in Perti Alta, accessible by personal vehicle or taxi service. Private parking is available, cars can be left here for the duration of the hike.
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Day 2
Perti hamlet and Monte Sordo Valley
10km +890m 6h
We set off from the agriturismo in the valley of Monte Sordo towards the ruins of the "Castrum" of the Roman era. Along the way, we can see in daylight the charming “Cinque Campanili” church, Castel Gavone, and the Diamond Tower, which precede the hamlet of Perti. We continue the hike passing by the limestone caves of Edera and Pollera, the latter archaeologically renowned for having hosted primitive man, to reach the base of the Rocca di Perti and from there, follow the ancient mediaeval alleyway to the village of Calice Ligure. From Calice Ligure begins the day's ascent! We climb the steep alleyways among the olive "fasce" (terraces), up to the agriturismo where we will spend the night, from where we can enjoy the sea view and the delicious traditional dishes.
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Day 3
The Altavia and the Melogno Pass
8km +290m/-400m 4.5h
Today's stage is mostly along the ridge, more restful than the previous one, and with little elevation gain. An opportunity to recover energy before the climb to Monte Carmo. Once reached the church of “Madonna della Neve”, erected in honour of the “Infanta di Spagna”, who in the seventeenth century travelled the Beretta road on her long journey to Vienna, we continue for a stretch on the paved road up to Colle del Melogno (1028m), and then to the nineteenth-century fort of the same name, before entering the Barbottina forest where our accommodation for the evening is located.
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Day 4
The Altavia and Carmo peak
11.4 km +700m/-700m 6h
Another challenging day awaits us, the typical Mediterranean forest of holm oak and oak trees gives way to the beech forest of the Barbottina and then, as we approach the Giogo di Giustenice and Monte Carmo (1389m), the climate and landscape become decidedly more alpine. After reaching Carmo peak, we enjoy the views to descend then to the Pian delle Bosse mountain hut, where Valentina and Lorenzo await us with a mix of local specialties.
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Day 5
The Altavia and San Pietro ai Monti Abbey
11km +230m/-900m 6h
Last stage of our journey, we leave the mountain hut and climb back up towards Monte Carmo, to continue the hike to Monte Ravinet, and reach the ancient Benedictine Abbey of San Pietro ai Monti, from which we can enjoy the view over the entire Ligurian gulf. We can see Gallinara island and, if the day is particularly clear, Corsica island can be spotted in the distance. After a final descent towards the sea, we reach the Caves of Toirano, where our journey comes to an end. It’s time to get back to Finale Ligure to get our luggage and head back home.
Optional: guided visit to Toirano caves.
The walking hours per day during the hike refer to the time needed to move from one bivouac to another, including stops for eating, resting, or taking photos.
Would you like to receive more information or reserve your spot for this trip? Drop me a message!
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