From Beigua to Antola, with snowshoes and a sea view
Genoa and surroundings
If you're searching for routes for your snowy trek, here's where to catch the first snow, surrounded by the white peaks of Liguria just a stone's throw from the sea, on glacial lakes or ancient paths, following the tracks of wild animals or along historic routes.
Ligurian Alps Park: The Old Forest Trail
Streams, enchanted woods, snowy bridges, magical animals, and the unreal silence of the snow: a snowshoe trek in the Bosco delle Navette, near Mendatica, is a pure winter experience. This area covers nearly 3000 hectares above the village of Upega (Municipality of Briga Alta) and is one of the main protected sites in the Regional Natural Park of the Ligurian Alps. The forest, mainly composed of larch and white fir trees, is home to a rich wildlife of chamois, roe deer, and black grouse. You can start from Valcona Soprana, at 1500 metres above sea level, following the Camin di Carrelli trail, which leads to the Margheria Binda (1610 m) and then climb another path up to the plateau of Fascia Pornassina. From there, you can reconnect with the carriage road (1900 m above sea level) that cuts through the Bosco delle Navette. The trail continues through an extraordinary basin leading to Caccia Manfredi.
Info: Parco Alpi Liguri: 0183 753384
Beigua Park: Beautiful Snow Just a Step from the Sea
On Beigua, as soon as it snows, the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri becomes a kingdom for snowshoers. You’ll hear the crunch of ice beneath your feet and have the cobalt blue sea in front of you under the sun. The loop around the Deiva Forest – Sassello is the easiest route, or you can take the one from Passo del Faiallo to Rifugio Argentea, or the one from Pianpaludo. Longer routes include the Vasche dell'acquedotto - Tiglieto – Morbetto (6 km) and the Cappelletta di Masone – Passo del Veleno. Info: 019 451 2050
Antola Park: A Snowshoer’s Paradise with a Sea View
The Antola park is a large natural oasis behind Genoa, offering many easy snowshoeing excursions. You can play it safe and choose the most panoramic snowshoe route, which starts from Casa del Romano at 1410 m and leads to the summit of Antola. This is the highest point where the snow lasts the longest. If you're more athletic, try climbing from Bavastrelli or Donnetta, or from Caprile on the Cai Sampierdarena trail. To rent snowshoes, contact Rifugio Antola: 010/944175.
Aveto Park: The Switzerland of Liguria
Aveto Park is a true "Switzerland of Liguria," with endless snowshoeing routes to explore. Your children will love the beautiful hike through the Lame Forest, following the easy forest road that winds through beech and white fir woods, encountering glacial lakes where you can spot the tracks of the animals that inhabit the forest. Another interesting route is the loop from Rocca d'Aveto to the Cipolla meadow, then crossing the stunning Roncalla beech forest to reach Monte Groppo Rosso, which overlooks the valley of Santo Stefano d'Aveto. Alternatively, you can hike from the Casermette del Penna to Passo del Cerenghetto, passing through the beautiful Monte Penna Forest. For the more athletic, there is the challenging crossing of the Peaks, including Penna, Maggiorasca, and Bue mountains. Just be careful on the routes restricted to snowshoers because they are reserved for skiing, such as the one between Rocca d'Aveto and Prato del Principe. We recommend doing it with the Meraviglie d'Aveto Guides: 010758033
