The Mountain with a Sea View: Peaks to Climb in Genoa
Looking for snow with the bonus of a sea view? In Liguria, mountains are just a stone’s throw from the sea. Here’s how to climb a snowy peak while staying in Genoa!
Want to see Genoa from above? Here are a few places where you can do just that—mountain peaks just a short distance from Genoa’s city centre.
1. Monte Reixa
Heading west from the municipality of Genoa, you’ll find Monte Reixa: a mountain covered with meadows and flowers, located at the meeting point of Genoa, Arenzano, and Sassello. From its summit (1,183 metres), you can enjoy an extraordinary panorama.
The shortest route is from Passo del Faiallo, with a short walk, but it’s also accessible via longer routes starting from various points within the municipality of Genoa (Sambuco or Fabbriche) by following sections of the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri. Alternatively, you can take the most scenic path, which starts in Genoa Voltri and leads to Passo della Gava, following the red “X” marker.
2. Punta Martin
The thrill of surpassing 1,000 metres just a stone’s throw from the sea: Punta Martin, standing at 1,001 metres above sea level, is a rocky pyramid that requires considerable effort to conquer.
Located on the border with the municipality of Mele, it can be reached from Genoa via a trail starting at the Genova Acquasanta railway station on the Asti-Genoa line. However, be warned: this is the shortest but also the steepest route, and it is not suitable for inexperienced trekkers.
Once at the top, after passing through wild forests and grassy clearings, on clear days, you’ll be embraced by the entire arc of Liguria, and occasionally, to the south, you can catch a glimpse of Corsica.
3. Monte Alpesisa
At 989 metres above sea level, Monte Alpesisa divides the Val Bisagno and the Scrivia Valley. Its grassy summit is visible from Molassana and overlooks Creto, the last stronghold of the municipality of Genoa before the border with Montoggio.
To reach the summit, you follow a scenic section of the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri starting from Creto, just before the municipal boundary. The route, apart from the final steeper section, is suitable for all skill levels. Due to its strategic views, it was used by the Resistance during World War II to monitor passes and access points to Genoa. The panorama over the Lago di Val di Noci is equally spectacular. The grassy slopes of Monte Alpesisa are vast pastures where cows graze peacefully.
4. Monte Fasce
This is the mountain with the antennas that towers over Genoa at 834 metres, offering an exceptional panoramic view of the entire city.
It can be reached by car via a road that climbs from the populous Borgoratti district to the picturesque hamlet of Apparizione, continuing up to the summit.
For those on foot, the most scenic route begins at the Quinto al Mare railway station, following a trail marked with an inverted red “T.” From the cemetery, the path ascends with numerous switchbacks to the Monte Moro bunkers. From there, a trail to the right leads to the antennas on Monte Fasce, following a ridge with breathtaking views.