Guided,
Supported, Escorted and Independent Self-guided Walking Holidays
Walking, Hiking and Trekking Holidays in Italy
Long distance 'HIKING EXPEDITION'
Ref: WX01
AVML STAGE 1 - ALPI LIGURI
MAY to OCT
4X4 SUPPORTED HIKING EXPEDITION
5 nights
Fully supported 4-day (80km) hiking expedition along the high Alpine trails of the Ligurian Alps - stage 1 of this epic 440km, long distance route from the French border to the edge of Tuscany. Price:from
€625 pp HB
MAY to OCT
Ligurian Alps, Italy - 81km over 4 hiking days, 3580m total ascents, 24h45 walking time. An 'epic' hiking expedition from the Mediterranean sea to the highest peaks of the Ligurian Alps. This hiking expedition takes you along one of the great Alpine hiking routes of the southern Alps, above one of Liguria's most fascinating valley's. 80km hike over 4 days with full expedition support.
Ideal: For hikers and long distance walkers wanting to remain high in the mountains for the duration of this long distance hike through the southern Alps. This expedition, under a meticulously well planned and organised framework of passive support and organisation, allows participants to maintain their independence and hike safely in what is very much a wild and mountainous terrain.
What's included: 5 nights HB accommodation - maps - 4x4 support vehicle - mountain guide throughout the 4-day expedition - expedition schedule with full route notes - 5 evening meals and breakfasts - 4 picnic lunches - daily luggage and equipment transfers - transfers back to Ventimiglia. Accommodation: 2 nights in 3-Star hotel at the start and end of the expedition - 3 nights 'comfort' camping in the grounds of mountain refuges during the expedition, with equipment, toilets and showers - evening dinner in the restaurants of the mountain refuges, serving excellent local dishes.
What's NOT included - Flights, Transfers between airports and start and end points (return tickets cost around 25 euros per person from Nice and 30 euros per person from Genoa).
To book: Check or
email
or call +44 (0)845 0944 669.
HIGHLIGHTS
the Ligurian Alps - mountain trails of the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri
ITINERARY
Day 1: TRANSFER DAY, to the Ponente Riviera. Expedition itinerary starts at Ventimiglia railway station in Italy where we meet you and take you to your hotel on the seafront. For those flying to Nice: bus from airport to Nice Ville main railway station then train to Ventimiglia - allow 2 hours travel time between airport and Ventimiglia. For those flying to Genoa: bus from airport to Genova main railway station then train to Ventimiglia - allow 4h00 travel time between airport and Ventimiglia. View photos of where you'll be staying on your first night.
Day 2: EXPEDITION DAY 1. 9 hrs | 24kms | 1263m total ascent | Graded: RED. Full day hike from Ventimiglia to Sella di Gouta.
Rising steeply from the Mediterranean coast, you'll soon pass the tiny, ancient churches of San Giacomo and Madonna della Neve (Our Lady of the snow). Past the "calanchi" at Terre Bianche, a spectacular landscape of rock erosion caused by rainfall on these clay rocks, the trail takes you through vineyards where the famous Rossese wine is made. Soon after you get a wonderful view of Dolceacqua, an ancient town dominated by the imposing castle of the Doria family.
By late morning, you'll pass Monte Abellio and Cima Tramontina - the southern most regions where the Alpine hare and chamois can still be found.
Always climbing steadily up, the landscape changes from Mediterranean 'macchia' to the immense forests of Gouta. The Gouta forests host the largest number of silver fir trees in the whole of Liguria. Here, you will also find the scotch fir, the hornbeam and in the most favourable positions, even the holm oak. Thanks to the size of these forests and their relatively good condition, a wide and interesting variety of wildlife live here, including the wild cat, the pine marten, the eagle-owl, the black woodpecker and the heath-cock. Along this trail you'll come across many military fortifications and crumbling old barracks, built before the Second World War to defend the Italian frontier from possible attack from France.
Our Comment: Few hiking routes take you from sea level to an area of 2000m plus peaks in just a day and the contrasts between vibrant coastal towns and the wild, empty mountains is both unique and quite remarkable. View photos taken during day 1 of this 4 day hike.
Day 3: EXPEDITION DAY 2. 7 hrs | 17kms | 890m total ascent | Graded: RED/BLACK. Full day hike from Sella di Gouta to Colle Melosa.
This is one of the most beautiful stretches of the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri, with its rocky summits - similar to those of the Dolomites - just twenty or so kilometres from the sea. Thanks to their location, on the border between the Alps and the Mediterranean, these mountains host a wide variety of flora. Here, the typical Mediterranean species grow alongside alpine varieties. They reached these heights in times long gone by, when the Alps were almost completely covered by glaciers.
In late spring and early summer you can admire the splendid flowering, whereas in autumn, the larch takes the limelight with its spectacular leaf colours. You may even be lucky enough to spot a chamois, with the sea in the background.
The route taking you along the "Sentiero degli Alpini" is particularly interesting, an optional trail variation for experienced hikers. It cuts across the steep, Italian slopes of Monte Toraggio and Monte Pietravecchia. This daring "Sentiero degli Alpini" was partially dug out of the rock face and was created for military purposes between the First and Second World Wars. It was wide and accessibile enough for transit by donkeys carrying weapons and provisions. Nowadays, no donkeys would be able to get through anymore as some stretches of the trail have been ruined by landslides and erosion.
Our Comment: A hike through a truly magnificent area of wild mountain terrain passing under the most southerly 2000m peak of the Alps - a photographers' mountain paradise. View photos taken during day 2 of this 4 day hike.
Day 4: EXPEDITION DAY 3. 8 hrs | 24/21 kms | 1140m total ascent | Graded: RED/BLACK. Full day hike from Colle Melosa to Monesi.
An early morning start following by a steep climb onto the high ridges above Colle Melosa. Between Bassa di Sanson and Passo di Collardente, you cross the beautiful forest called Bosco di Sanson which is in French territory. Once again, you'll pass many old military constructions. The ancient villages of Realdo and Verdeggia can be seen, picturesque little hamlets belonging to the Comune of Triora. These clustered dwellings were built by shepherds on the mountainside. The upper ridge of Monte Saccarello and Monte Frontè is also very interesting, with their typically alpine landscapes, small larch forests, rhododendrons and open meadows, where mountain chamois, hares, ermines and marmots have chosen their habitat.
On the second highest, eastern peak of Monte Saccarello, at an altitude of 2,166m, you'll see the imposing statue of Christ, "Il Redentore". It's made of cast iron and stands 5,6 metres high on an 8,4 metre stone pedestal. It was erected between 1901 and 1902 and was inaugurated in the presence of thousands of people. From here, you'll make the final descent of the day, following the ski slopes down to the ski resort of Monesi for your overnight stay.
Day 5: EXPEDITION DAY 4. 8 hrs | 23kms | 760m total ascent | Graded: RED. Full day hike from Monesi to Colle di Nava.
The day starts with an arduous climb back up to the ridge east of Saccarello. Between Monte Saccarello and Monte Frontè, the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri runs along an almost even crest of about four kilometres in length. Both its slopes are clearly asymmetric: the Southern face drops down into Valle Argentina with rocky crags and steep gorges, whereas the Northern face descends gently towards Val Tanarello, with its open meadows. This long crest offers amazing panoramic views of the valleys leading down to the coast.
From the dirt trail in the vicinity of Case Penna you can branch off on a route leading to the ancient, farming village of Poilarocca (1427 m), which now lies in abandon. Taking an old donkey trail from here, one descends to Mendatica passing a spectacular series of waterfalls, almost hidden away in the dense forests known by the name of Cascate dell'Arroscia.
Descending from Colla dei Boschetti towards Colle di Nava, you'll come to the little fortress called Forte Pozzanghi (or Possanghi), which stands right on the watershed between Tanaro and Arroscia in a splendidly panoramic position. Together with its twin, Forte Richelmo, situated on the opposite side of the valley, dominion of the immense Colle di Nava basin is made complete. The two little fortresses were constructed to prevent enemy troops from reaching the fortifications below, built in the last few decades of the 19th century in order to defend this important pass/crossing. Colle di Nava - crossed by an arterial road connecting Imperia to Turin - was once famous for lavender growing. Today it's a peaceful holiday resort, with several hotels. Expedition itinerary ends with a road transfer back to Ventimiglia and your hotel on the seafront.
Our Comment: An arduous ascent followed by a seemingly endless descent down with spectacular views over the lush valleys down to the coast. Your sense of achievement on finishing this stage of this great hiking route will most certainly be both intense and wholly earned. View photos taken during day 4 of this 4 day hike.
Day 7: TRANSFER DAY, from the Ponente Riviera. For those flying from Nice: train from Ventimiglia to Nice Ville main railway station, then bus to the airport - allow 2 hrs travel time between Ventimiglia and airport. For those flying from Genoa: train from Ventimiglia to Genova main railway station, then bus to the airport - allow 4 hrs travel time between Ventimiglia and airport and arrange flights to depart no earlier than mid-afternoon to avoid an early start before breakfast.
[1] Your accommodation on the first and last nights of this holiday will be in 3-Star hotels, whilst during the hiking expedition you will be sleeping in your own personal tents provided in the grounds of mountain refuges with full use of services. One tent will be supplied per couple and one tent per single person.
[2] Accommodation throughout the expedition is on a full-board basis with local specialities of the area served in the evenings and picnic lunches during the days.
[3] All camping equipment will be provided including air-mattress (you should bring your own sleeping bag).
[4] You should be fit, hike regularly and used to full day hiking with steep ascents and descents. Precise daily itineraries are subject to change depending on local weather and mountain conditions.
[5] This expedition runs once a month for 5 months during May to late October when the higher trails are clear of snow and ice. Specific dates will be dependent on the preferences of those clients making individual bookings. This expedition can be booked by individuals, couples and groups - we require a minimum of 8 people for this expedition to go ahead. For group bookings of 8 people or more, you are free to choose specific dates for which we will run this expedition exclusively for that group.
To book: Check or
email
or call +44 (0)845 0944 669.
NOTE:
[1] Prices in 'euros' and based on 2 people sharing a double/twin
room, otherwise a single supplement applies.
[2] Flights not included.
[3] For group bookings, an approximate discount of 10% is applied
to all persons in addition to the first two.
