Trekking & Mountain Bike Trails in the Regional Natural Park of the Ligurian Alps

The entire area is covered by forests that evoke legends and alpine landscapes (Testa d’Alpe, Gerbonte, Rezzo beech forest), rock walls and underground cavities (Gole delle Fascette and dell’Incisa, cliffs of Realdo and Loreto, Grotta della Melosa), botanical paradises (the larch woods of Navette, rhododendrons of Monte Saccarello, the mountainous group of Toraggio-Pietravecchia), privileged observation points for wildlife (home to, among others, the golden eagle, capercaillie, black woodpecker, chamois, wildcat, and wolf). A hiker in the Ligurian Alps Park can journey back in time on the legendary Sentiero degli Alpini (Alpine Trail) or along the historic Via Marenca, on the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri (High Route of the Ligurian Mountains), and along ridge paths that offer breathtaking views of uninterrupted chains of peaks, seascapes, and medieval villages.

The territory is divided into four valleys: Valle Arroscia, Valle Argentina, Val Nervia, and Val Tanarello completes the area.

Valle Arroscia – (Cosio d’Arroscia, Mendatica, Montegrosso Pian Latte, and Rezzo)

The Upper Arroscia Valley revolves around Imperia and is the area with a prominent mountainous character, characterised by vast pastures and extensive forested areas. This valley includes Cima di Piancavallo (1896 m above sea level), with its populations of chamois, Monte Frontè (2153m above sea level), Monte Monega (1882 m above sea level), and the captivating Bosco di Rezzo. The valley extends from east to west, following the course of the Arroscia River from Monte Frontè to the Piana di Albenga. The southern exposed slope is home to villages, fields, and land cultivated with olive trees and vineyards, while the northern slopes are the realm of the “ubagu,” where shade, chestnut forests, hornbeams, holm oaks, and above 1000 metres, beeches and wild pines dominate. Between Mendatica and Montegrosso Pian Latte, the majestic Arroscia Waterfalls form a spectacular sequence of cascades, the highest of which exceeds 20 metres.

Valle Argentina –  (Triora)

The Upper Argentina Valley, with the municipality of Triora revolving around Arma di Taggia, features steeper gradients, wild natural landscapes, and settlements perched on ridges or rocky spurs. Here, the landscape immediately reveals dense forests rich in water and wildlife. The small hamlets of Realdo and Verdeggia (which still maintain their original architectural structure with narrow alleyways, thatched roofs, and wooden balconies) provide access to the areas of Monte Gerbonte (1727m above sea level), known for its natural cavities and karstic channels, and Saccarello (2200m above sea level), with its rhododendron-covered moors and extensive pastures watched over by ancient mountain huts.

Val Nervia – (Pigna and Rocchetta Nervina)

Accessible from Ventimiglia/Bordighera, it is the closest to the sea and stretches for about 20km among flower crops, olive groves, and vineyards, which, further north, give way to chestnut forests, conifers, and beech trees. From the sea to the mountains, terraced fields of olive trees and vines are replaced by thyme and lavender shrubs, and even higher up, by alpine flora. Holm oaks, maples, beeches, and firs provide shelter and refuge for chamois, wolves, and reptiles. True natural jewels of this area are the rocky environments of Mount Toraggio (1971m above sea level) and Mount Pietravecchia (2038m above sea level), in addition to the Transfrontier Reserve of Testa d’Alpe (1517m above sea level).

 Val Tanarello

Closed at the bottom by limestone walls, where the stream flows over bare rock, forming ponds and waterfalls, upstream the territory opens up, dividing into valleys covered by dense forests. We are at the border between Liguria and Piedmont (accessible from San Bernardo di Mendatica and Viozene-Upega), in an area that remains largely uninhabited and wild, a realm of beeches, pines, and rock plants. The landscape is extremely interesting from a geological perspective, thanks to the presence of outcrops, basins, and caves. A deviation at Ponte Schiarante leads to Tana Cornarea, which has yielded remains of human and animal habitation (Ursus spelaeus) from the Bronze Age. Today, numerous species of alpine fauna inhabit this area, including chamois, marmots, ermines, capercaillies, golden eagles, and black woodpeckers. For centuries a land of transhumance, the valley retains traces of stone-built settlements, old mule tracks, and medieval bridges (recommended excursion from San Bernardo di Mendatica to Ponte Tanarello).

 

1. Route (Trekking): Mendatica ► San Bernardo di Mendatica

Locations crossed: Mendatica – San Bernardo di Mendatica

Integrable activities: Museum of Alpine Culture in Mendatica, Adventure Park in Mendatica – White Cuisine

A short and easy itinerary that unfolds in the Upper Arroscia Valley, through broadleaf and coniferous forests, along ancient paths and mule tracks. It serves as an important connection route to stage number 7 of the Ligurian Mountain High Way, linking the historic center of Mendatica with the hamlet of San Bernardo.

2. Route (Trekking): San Bernardo di Mendatica ► La Terza Refuge

Locations crossed: San Bernardo di Mendatica – Passo Frontè – La Terza Refuge

Integrable activities: Museum of Alpine Culture in Mendatica – Adventure Park in Mendatica – White Cuisine

A moderately challenging itinerary that coincides with stage number 6 of the Ligurian Mountain High Way. It crosses areas of high natural and scenic value, connecting San Bernardo di Mendatica with the grassy ridges of the highest peaks in the eastern sector of the Ligurian Alps.

3. Route (Trekking): Realdo ► La Terza Refuge

Locations crossed: Realdo – Collardente Pass – La Terza Refuge

Integrable activities: Brigasca Culture Museum in Realdo – Witchcraft Museum in Triora – Typical Cuisine

A highly challenging itinerary that, in its initial section, coincides with the connecting route linking the beautiful hamlet of Realdo with Collardente Pass and stage number 5 of the Ligurian Mountain High Way. Subsequently, it follows the same regional itinerary, passing through a diverse and valuable environmental context, including larch forests and alpine meadows.

4. Route (Trekking): Triora Circuit

Locations crossed: Triora – Loreto – Colla Melosa – Bassa di Sanson – Realdo – Verdeggia – Passo della Guardia – Triora

Integrable activities: Bike shuttle – Brigasca Culture Museum in Realdo – Witchcraft Museum in Triora – Typical Cuisine

A multi-day circular route that covers a significant portion of the municipal territory of Triora, reaching areas of great natural value such as Colla Melosa, Bassa di Sanson, and Passo della Guardia. It also passes through sites of high historical and cultural interest, including the hamlets of Realdo and Verdeggia, the historic center of Triora, and its important monuments.

5. Route (Mountain Biking): Triora Circuit

Locations crossed: Triora – Passo della Guardia – Bassa di Sanson – Realdo – Triora

Integrable activities: Brigasca Culture Museum in Realdo – Witchcraft Museum in Triora – Typical Cuisine

A circular route primarily along various dirt roads in the municipal territory of Triora, connecting the historic centre of the town with areas of high natural importance, characterized by dense broadleaf and coniferous forests and alpine pastures inhabited by numerous wildlife and plant species.

6. Route (Trekking): Alpini Trail Circuit

Locations crossed: Colla Melosa – Monte Grai – Sella d’Agnaira – Gola dell’Incisa – Colla Melosa

Integrable activities: Bike shuttle – Typical Cuisine

 

A challenging loop itinerary, with some exposed sections, connecting Colla Melosa with the panoramic summit of Monte Grai. From there, it links up with stages 4 and 5 of the Ligurian Mountain High Way, reaching Passo dell’Incisa, and then follows the eastern part of the scenic Alpini Trail to return to the starting point.

“MITO 3 OUTDOOR OFF Project – PITEM MITO – INTERREG V-A ITALY FRANCE ALCOTRA 2014-2020 Program co-financed with ERDF funds.” You can download the map here: Mito 3 Routes Map Part 1 and Mito 3 Routes Map Part 2.