Paths & tracks

Valdeiva - Framura - Bonassola

From the town's center, one must climb along the provincial road that runs along the Deiva stream for two kilometers. Having passed a gas station (by about 200 meters), one must take a right onto a dirt road that crosses the stream. Once having forded the stream, one must turn left and proceed for 1 kilometer.
Having passed the Valdeiva campground, and having crossed the stream, one must turn right onto a dirt road that crosses over the stream again and climbs steeply into a lovely wood with various types of vegetation.
After a short while, one will arrive at a path to the right that eventually leads to the third itinerary; if one instead stays on the path, one will climb towards the Costa di Framura. Having reached the town, one must descend by means of an easily accessed pedestrian path through ancient hamlets, such as Anzo, an almost intact medieval village.
Along the descent, one may admire several remarkable, huge trees. Before arriving at the railway station (whence a shorter itinerary may be chosen), one must proceed straight ahead towards a curve and take trail number two. This area boasts basaltic cushion-like rock formations that constitute actual bubbles of effusive rock.
One thus crosses through one of the most beautiful areas of the Ligurian Riviera, abounding with stunning inlets and lush vegetation.
Having reached the village of Salice, one must turn right and proceed towards Bonassola until reaching a paved road whence, after two hundred meters, one reaches an intersection. By turning right, one arrives in Salto della Lepre in less than half an hour. From here one may admire a scenic view that should not be missed, especially at sunset.
On the way back, one must immediately take a right and descend towards Bonassola, arriving at a dirt path.
At the end of the path one will find an asphalt road where one must take a left and then take some stairs to the right leading to Bonassola. Having reached the asphalt road, if one instead turns right, one reaches Madonnina della Punta, in the outskirts of which a marvelous botanical garden is located. One may visit the garden by calling the local Pro Loco tourist agency.

Intorno a Valdeiva

From the center of town, one must climb up the provincial road that runs along the Deiva stream for two kilometers. After having passed the gas station (by about 200 meters), one must take a dirt path to the right. It crosses the stream and, near the ford, one must take a small path to the left that begins to slope upwards behind an old, abandoned building.
The forest includes both Mediterranean and mountainous features, with stunning specimens of Quercus suber cork-oaks. One thus reaches the Case Vigo hamlet, whence, to the left, one may reach the castle ruins in Monte Vigo, an ancient Pre-Roman settlement that dates back to the Iron Age. By proceeding to the right of the small crest, one reaches trail number 14 V, which leads to Costa di Framura through a splendid forest teeming with rich, majestic specimens of cork-trees, oaks, holm-oaks, chestnuts, and a huge wild berry bush.
The village constitutes a typical medieval Ligurian hamlet, over which towers an ancient Carolingian Tower. Having reached the village and taking a left, one may take trail number 15 towards Castagnola, where, after having crossed the stream by the same name, one may deviate towards the area's local environmental protection agency and the Passano peaks with their ancient castle. Proceeding along trail 17, one reaches the Ca di Lazino hamlet, whence one begins the descent down the mountain. The vegetation becomes sparse and barren due to the ophitic effusive rock formations that are very basic and on which thus grow extremely rare plants, such as Santolina ligustica, or aromatic herbs such as thyme.
Having reached the paved road, to the right one may admire red jasper rock formations, a type of very hard sedimentary rock that was also used by prehistoric man. A little ways to the left, one may find the deviation for the Valdeiva campgrounds.

Giro del bracco

This constitutes a very long, but very interesting, trail that rises from the Valdeiva campgrounds towards Castagnola on the way back from itinerary number 3. Having reached the town, one must climb towards the Mount of Sant'Agata, crossing the town on its northern side and passing through an interesting forest containing mixed vegetation.

After having passed a farmhouse accommodations facility, one reaches a provincial road and one must proceed to the left. Along the road, one may make interesting rest stops or deviations, the first of which is a red Levanto marble quarry to the right where a thriving colony of alpine newts may be found.
Further on, to the left, one may climb to the summit of Mount S. Agata, where the ruins of a medieval tower and an ancient church are to be found. By staying on the provincial road, one arrives at a state road where, after taking a left, one must climb up a narrow path to the right to reach the peak of Mount S. Nicolao, from where one may admire a truly unique view. One may descend the mountain by following the signs and then turning left towards Moneglia.
Along the way, one may admire the ruins of a medieval church, a stunning chestnut grove, and, having reached the outlet towards the sea, one may also admire a series of turkey cork-oaks of the Quercus crenata species, a very interesting type of hybrid oak. One may proceed along the seaside over stunning, colorful gabbroic rock formations, until returning to the state road in the locality of Case Marcone.
From here, one may proceed along a splendid ridge that first leads to the Passo dell'Incisa mountain pass, and then towards Deiva or Moneglia.

Deiva Framura

The trail begins at the center of the town: one must cross the bridge over the Val Deiva stream near the sea; one must then turn left and, having passed a pink condo, one must turn right. After a short climb, and having turned right again, one will see the beginning of the trail to Framura to the left.

First 200 meters are extremely steep, over a narrow, but deep trail in the lush vegetation. Afterwards one will find a long trail over flat terrain along an easily accessible dirt path towards Localita' Costa. From there, the rest of the way is a descent towards the Framura railway station.

Deiva Moneglia

From the center of town (on Via della Liberta') and, having passed the post office, one must continue to climb along the asphalt road. To the right is a sign showing the trail for Moneglia (San Nicolao - Castagnole) and, from the ridge along this trail, one may admire some stunning seascapes.

Proceeding along the trail, one will reach the village of Lemeglio, with its quaint church, and then one may make a quick descent towards Moneglia.