Guided walking holiday in the Ligurian Alps: Mountain Walking, Coastal Alps, Italian Rivieras. Experience and savour the flavours of an ancient land bursting with culture and tradition on this guided walking holiday. An enchanting and spectacular region surrounded by sea and mountains, the unspoilt interior will surely transport you back in time. All this framed by the clear blue Mediterranean and the lush green mountains to make your holiday truly unforgettable.
What's included | Charming rustic accommodation |> Daily, guided walking itineraries |> transport to and from the daily walks |> transfers from Imperia at the start and end of your holiday
Whats not: Flights | Transfers between Pisa airport and Genoa - return tickets cost around 30 euros per person from Pisa.
4 nights cost €475pp, 7 nights for €845pp.
Request  or email  or call +44
(0)845 0944 669
| Ligurian Alps - old Roman roads # ancient salt routes # Maritime Alps # Imperia # Mediterranean Coast # Mountain Walking |
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TRIP DETAILS
Day 1: Transfer day, to the Ponente Riviera.
For those flying to Nice or Genoa airports, try to arrive before 4pm for a comfortable transfer by train to Imperia. View photos of your resort town.
Day 2: The Old Bridge Trail Santa Brigida.
Distance: approx 6 km | Time: 2 - 2.5 hours | Graded: EASY | Height gain: 275 m
An easy and charming guided circular walk starting at 450 m above sea level amongst chestnut and oak trees with the backdrop of the Mediterranean. It begins at the chapel of St.Brigida dating back to 1425.
This pleasant walk can be finished by an interesting visit to the old charming village of Dolcedo on the opposite valley famous for it's old bridges and fascinating medieval streets, here we can take a pleasant refreshment by one of the many delightful café bars. View photos of The Old Bridge Trail.
Day 3: Carpasio: Hiking Through History.
Distance: 10 km | Time: 5-6 hours | Difficulty: MEDIUM-HARD | Height gain: 425 m.
This is a really lovely guided hike in the Argentina valley along the old borders of the then Republic of Genoa and the Piedmont Reign. We leave the car in the pretty village of Carpasio and walk to the top where the old chapel is. We cross the B-road and immerse ourselves in lovely woods on an old muletrack.
Please note that this is quite a strenuous walk with paths that at times will require clearing from overgrown vegetation, but has it's rewards with the peace and remoteness of the area. View photos of the Hiking Through History walk.
Day 4: Gouta: The most beautiful Alpine forest in Liguria.
Distance: 6 km | Time: 3 hours | Difficulty: EASY | Height gain: 180m.
This guided walk, apart from it's sheer beauty, goes to show the remarkable variety of landscape that exits in this region from the subtropical vegetation at sea level below, only just over an hour away, to the full Alpine environment here. We start at 1200 m a.s.l. at the Restaurant and refuge Gola di Gouta (on clear days here you can see right over to the distant sea) and amongst lush green meadows, we take the short piece of road down to then start our pleasant circular walk.
View photos of a day walking through an Alpine forest in Liguria.
Day 5: Monesi to Mt Saccarello (2200m).
Distance 8-10 km | Time: 5-6 hours | Difficulty: MEDIUM-HARD | Height Gain: 830m.
A guided hike to the tallest mountain in Western Liguria. We start from the small ski resort of Monesi above 1300m. A series of gentle and sloping meadows will follow our route with pretty areas of woodland pine trees providing an impressive contrast to the lush meadows which abound with many species of wildflowers. The hike progresses through steeper meadows where traditional Alpine cows are often visible near the drinking troughs. We then arrive at the attractive Rifugio Sanremo at just over 2000m where a rest and lunch is welcome.
Then we follow the well defined path and arrive after some 40 mins to the imposing statue of the Christ Redentor overlooking the distant sea below. Amazing views from here with Corsica well visible on crisp clear mornings in winter. A short walk takes us to the round summit at 2200m.
An ideal hike even in winter (crampons may be necessary for brief sections at top). View photos taken on a mountain trails walk from Monesi to Mt Saccarello.
Day 6: Transfer day for those staying 5 nights.
The Alpine Trail. for those staying longer.
Distance: 9-11 km | Time: 5-6 hours | Difficulty: MEDIUM-HARD | Height gain: 530m.
This is by far the most beautiful trail in Liguria and one of the best in Europe, for the diversity of the Landscape, the beauty of the rocks, very comparable to the Dolomites, abundance of fauna, flora and history. The Alpine trail was hacked through the rocks in between the two World Wars. Our hike begins at approx 1600 m a.s.l. and soon reaches the connection to the Alpine trail itself. The trail has literally been hacked by hand through the steep rock, an amazing human feat. The route will take us through rock tunnels on exposed (but safe) ground, where beautiful dried stone walls support the steep descent. View photos of The Alpine Trail walk.
Day 7: Quarzina - Pizzo d'Ormea (2480m).
Distance: 8-10 km | Time: 6-hours | Difficulty: HARD | Height gain: 1130m.
Another spectacular high mountain trail starting from the hamlet of Quarzina at 1350m. We start on a path that zig zags it's way steadily up until we reach the symbolic chapel in memory of the Partisans in the World War II...
However unbelievable it may seem, on crystal clear winter days I have seen the distinctive feature of the Matterhorn from this point (hundreds of kilometers away) and the marvellous coastline of Corsica to the south. View photos of this spectacular high mountain trail.
Day 8: Transfer day, from the Ponente Riviera.
For those flying out of Genoa or Nice airports, try and arrange flights to depart no earlier than mid afternoon to avoid an early start before breakfast.
This walking holiday in Italy, offers you an itinerary to visit, walk and explore the mountainous interior of Liguria's Riviera of Palms, through the eyes of someone who grew up in the area.
Your guide was brought up in Liguria until the age of 18. He spent the following 30 years in the UK in Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire where he ran his own successful Interior Landscape business. Now back in his beloved Liguria, he leads outdoor activities in the area. His knowledge of western Liguria is unsurpassed, having hit these trails since childhood. His love of the great outdoors has led him to exotic and remote locations of the world in pursuit of his passion for climbing high peaks. He has summited mountains such as Denali in Alaska, Lhotse in the Himalayas and the much closer Matterhorn. During April and May 2005 he made an attempt on the summit of Everest from Nepal, and the year after summitted successfully Tibet.
He holds a valid British certificate in Mountain first aid and rescue. With his perfect knowledge of both the English and Italian languages, and understanding of the local cultures and traditions you are assured of a very professional, caring and attentive guide.
Ideal for those who'd like to walk through some of the regions most wild and unspoit mountains in the company of a local guide who will really give you an insight to this magnificent and rarely visited area, within the the reassuring structure of a guided itinerary.
Holiday starts in Imperia. Fly to Genoa, Nice, Turin or Pisa. Convenient train connections to and from airports. For those travelling by car, drive to Imperia on the Ponente Riviera, west of Genoa.
Hotels: The appointed Agriturismo is in the heart of the village, beautifully restored and offers apart from the excellent accommodation, a range of wonderful olive pates, oil and wines all genuinely grown and produced by the owners. The accomodation is self catering, but clients can have breakfast in the nice arched retaurant-shop for 6 euros per person. They can also eat at the Agriturismo if they wish, upon booking it.
A 4 night 3-day guided walking break can be booked for those preferring a shorter stay.
Extend your stay Stay a night or two in Imperia. Additional nights in Imperia cost from 55 euros pppn, staying in a 3-Star hotel.
- spend a day or two in Imperia and explore the beautiful old town of Parasio.
- take a day trip to Ventimiglia and San Remo.
- take a day trip to Bordighera and the Hanbury Botanical Gardens.
- take a trip to the Olive Tree Museum, Imperia.
- visit the village of the Painted Doors, Valloria.
- visit the Flower Festival of Corpus Domini.
[1] Prices based on 2 people sharing a double room, otherwise a single supplement applies.
[2] You should be reasonably fit and able to hike for a full day with ascents and descents. Itineraries are subject to change depending on local weather and mountain conditions..
[3] Your accommodation. Agritourism is synonymous with country stays in rural settings all over Italy. They provide a very good level of comfort coupled with local produce by the owners. Now well established and highly regarded, they are the perfect place to relax and stay for walkers and lovers of the outdoors.
[4] The summer months July and August in the Ligurian Alps are hot and balmy and the time for swimming in the mountain streams at the end of each day. Best walking months to visit are June, September and October. The winter months of November to March are generally mild and ideal for those who want a taste of the empty trails up to and above the snow lines.
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 room,
otherwise a single supplement applies.
2. Flights not included unless
specified.
3. If you have particularly beautiful photographs of
this area showing it's true character and atmosphere, please forward them to us
for inclusion on our site - photos@xtrallusion.com
4. If you are the owner of charming
holiday accommodation in a special location, whether it be a
hotel, B&B, 'albergo', 'agriturismo' or self-catered apartments
- send us an email with details and we'll consider adding it
to our list - web@xtrallusion.com
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Holidays
& Adventures in Italy and on the Italian Rivieras
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Guided, escorted and independent, self-guided
walking holidays in Italy
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