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Ligurian Hills
Across the Apennines to the sea
Back to Routes
Camogli
Apennine panorama
Ligurian riviera
Apennines
Vines and village
Autumnal produce
The afternoon ahead
Easy to follow routes
Monte Castelluzo
Camogli waterside
Varzi
Colourful Camogli
Ligurian sunset
At a glance
7 nights, (6 walking days - full route) with just one at the end by the sea in Camogli. See 'Prices' tab for what's included.
Suggested route pairing: Lake Maggiore, Southern Tuscany
How much walking?
Full days: 13-21km per day, 3¾-7 hrs walking
Using shortening options: 10-17km per day, 2¼-5 hrs (using taxis)
From the high Apennines to the stunning Ligurian coast
Following the “Via del Sale” (Salt Road) from “Little Tuscany” or Oltrepo Pavese, this route travels across the foothills of the majestic Apennine chain in its westward extension from Pisa. This is bucolic Italy, fiercely proud of local traditions and in particular local food and wine. The first two days walking in this region is through vineyards and woods, to get you in trim for the next four days of high ridge walking, scene of Hannibal’s march on Rome in 218 BC. From the historic valley town of Varzi, you will climb swiftly above the 1000m mark and will stay there for much of the next four days, before tumbling down to the sea at the picturesque fishing port/resort of Camogli, about 30km west of the Cinque Terre and, we think, far more authentic and Italian.
This is a route for the seasoned walker – the views are tremendous but the days are quite long, unless you take our shortening options. Shorter (5-6 night) options are available, but we recommend spending a night in Pavia at the start to take in the historic city with its ancient university, or the lovely monastery at Certosa di Pavia.
Walked by On Foot staff: Simon and Mary
Consider pairing this route with Lake Maggiore (4 hrs by train) or Southern Tuscany (4½ hrs by train) – for more details click here.
REVIEWS: For independent walker reviews submitted to the Association of Independent Tour Operators visit Aito.com.
TRAVEL ADVICE: To find the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office for UK citizens travelling to Italy, click here. Citizens of other nations will also find it useful, but should always check their appropriate local agency.
Route Highlights
- The picturesque countryside of the Oltrepo Pavese – “Little Tuscany”
- Local wines and sophisticated home cooking
- Walk in the footsteps of Hannibal
- Varzi and its historic centre
- Crossing the Ligurian Apennines
- Your first glimpse of the blue Mediterranean
- The harbour and beach at Camogli
This route features the following characteristics and interests: Coast, Mountains, Remote, Villages and farms, Drive to route, Food, Vegan friendly, Wine
Things you should know
- This is a real ‘walkers’ walk’, with spectacular ridge hiking and long days.
- There are few villages en-route.
- A mid-route transfer from Due Ponti to Buffalora is necessary (due to accommodation limitations).
We Recommend
A day to visit nearby Pavia, and extra nights at the end to explore the Ligurian coast and the Cinque Terre.
Eating and Drinking
Paolo at Capanne de Cosola, a remote restaurant on a high pass recommends “home-made pasta stuffed with mashed potatoes and topped with melted Montebore, a typical cheese of the Val Borbera. With this dish usually the best wine is the ‘Bonarda’ wine produced in the Oltrepò Pavese.”
This is a route where vegan and vegetarian walkers will find better choices than some others. The accommodations provide a varied and imaginative diet all the way along the route (though strict vegans will need to miss out a night in Varzi). The end, Camogli, boasts several restaurants that specialise in vegan dishes. Find out more in our Travellers Blog here.
How much Walking?
Using shortening options: 10-17km per day, 2¼-5 hrs (using taxis)
Walking on paths and tracks, several prolonged steep sections after leaving Varzi. Paths are well marked. Highest point on route: 1,650m.
Medium-hard: Average cumulative uphill stretches (CUSs) 634m (425m – 1210m) per day.
Some shortening options available, except final two walks (can ride whole way with luggage on these days).
Acrophobia/vertigo warnings: Some tricky descents, and a balcony path to Calcinara which is not avoidable.
GPX file available for handheld GPS or smartphone App for complete route.
Important note: Times given for each day are walking times for an “average” walker and exclude stops. “CUSs” stands for “Cumulative Uphill Stretches” and measures the aggregated ascents in each day, expressed in metres of climb. See “Walk Grading” for more information.
When to go?
The best months to walk: May, first half of June, September
Other possible months: First half of July, end August, October
This is a route that is best walked after the snow has melted from the hills (still a possibility in May). May and June are lovely for flowers – June can start to be hot though height will ameliorate excessive temperatures. Camogli hotels normally ask for minimum stays of more than one night end June and all July. September can be busy, but October should be glorious, though with the risk of rain.
Start Dates
Weather Chart
Temperature and rainfall chart for Varzi
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Montalto Pavese
Arrive in Montalto Pavese (pre-booked taxi from Voghera station is included in the holiday price), and rest after your journey, explore the surrounds and certainly have a good dinner.
Day 2 - Montalto Pavese to Fortunago
From your first night’s accommodation, enjoy expansive views as you dip down into the valley of the Ghiaia di Montalto and up again to the ridge. A lovely, if switch-backing, end to your day takes you off the ridge and through the lovely village of Fortunago, where you should linger, as this is one of the “Borghi più belli d’Italia”. (Medium-hard: 3¾ hrs walking (allow 5 hrs), 13½ km (8½ miles), CUSs 600m).
Alternatives: Either miss the walk completely by hitching a lift with the luggage (ask your host), or ask your next host to collect you just after the 2 hrs timing point.
Day 3 - Fortunago to Varzi
The day starts with a quiet stretch of asphalt before rejoining the ridge, with the last views of the Oltrepó. Leave the open at the “Cross on the col” and then track through sweet chestnut woods along the ridge top of M. Bruno to the castle at Oramala, before descending to the old town of Varzi in the valley. Your next day’s walking rears up ahead of you! (Medium: 4¾ hrs walking (allow 6½ hrs), 19 km (12 miles), CUSs 650m) Alternative: Arrange a ride with the luggage courtesy of our excellent host, as far as the Cross and save 2 hrs.
Day 4 - Varzi to Capanne di Cosola
Start with a sustained climb up to Castellaro (you can ride with the luggage along this section if you prefer), then up the valley of the Fosso. Climbing steeply up through beech woods, you reach the main ridge just before Monte Bogleglio. Then – a long and sometimes dramatic ridge walk, with a possible bagging of Monte Chiappo at the end before your next night’s excellent meal at the mountain lodge at Capanne di Cosola. (Hard: 7 hrs walking (allow 9¼ hrs), 21 km (13 miles), CUSs 1210m). Alternative: ride with the luggage to Castellaro (5 hrs walking (allow 6¾ hrs), 14 km (9 miles), CUSs 900m)
Day 5 - Capanne di Cosola to Due Ponti
This is the majestic day. 14 km of high walking, ending at Capanne de Carrega, with views for ever. From here you will be following the old road down down to Fascia (centre of resistance in WWII) and further to the valley floor, to your comfortable accommodation at the hamlet of Due Ponti. (Medium-hard: 6 hrs walking (allow 8 hrs), 21 km (13 miles), CUSs 575m) Alternative – two easier shortening options (9 km and 18¾ km), or ride all the way with the luggage.
Day 6 - Buffalora to Calcinara
This gorgeous walk seeks to do the impossible. After a short transfer, climb (gently) up to Monte Lavagnola; the climbing is then all but done and the rest of the walk consists of high contouring – maintaining the same level but with the most stupendous views of a much more cultured landscape than the day before – wooded valleys, small farms and villages. And you even get not one, but two, potential pit stops at good bar-restaurants. Your final walk into Uscio or Calcinara (dependent on available accommodation) will be rewarded by great friendliness, good food and drink – and almost no English! (Medium-hard: 6 hrs walking (allow 8 hrs), 19 km (12 miles), 490m CUSs). Alternatives: None – except to ride the whole way with the luggage.
Day 7 - Calcinara to Camogli
A wonderful final day – you continue along the ridge eastwards, then southwards to the coast at Camogli. Again the views will never let you down, and the final mountain spur before the end, with the sea on each side, will be much photographed. Your hotels in Camogli are all welcoming, whatever grade you have opted for. (Medium: 5 hrs walking (allow 6¾ hrs), 15 km (9½ miles), 430m CUSs). Alternatives: None except to ask for a lift with the luggage.
Departure day
Return home – or why not stay a day or two longer?
Travel Information
ARRIVING BY TRAIN
Nearest railway stations:
Start: Voghera
Finish: Camogli
Sample journeys by rail:
TGV from Paris to Gare de Lyon to Marseille-St-Charles, and a Thello train onwards to Voghera. Alternatively go via Paris to Zurich HB and Milan Centrale – a quicker route but with one more change. ~10 hours
Coming back, consider travelling from Camogli to Paris via either Genoa and Turin or taking a longer route via Milan and Basel. Another choice might be to get to Milan Centrale for the Thello sleeper train to Paris.
We suggest thetrainline.com for times, ticket booking and other information.
ARRIVING BY CAR
Your car is best left with our hosts at Cella di Montalto (private parking) or Fortunago (quiet country road outside house). Parking in Varzi also possible (public car park, pay locally tbc). Returning, train to Voghera then taxi (pay locally, see “Prices”).
ARRIVING BY AIR
The best airports are Genoa, Milan (Linate, Malpensa and Bergamo), and Pisa. Flights also possible via Turin.
Land by: 16:00 (Pisa 14:30 and Milan by 15:00 so as not to miss supper) for public transport connections to Voghera.
Return flight earliest: 12:00 (Genoa), 13:00 (Pisa), 15:00 (Milan airports) for train connections from Camogli (see transfer information below).
Land by/earliest return times not applicable if using pre-booked taxi.
Flight information can change rapidly and not all flights run daily. Please do check directly with the airlines’ websites or Skyscanner (see below) before finalising any booking with us. Do not book your flights until we have confirmed that we have provisionally reserved accommodation for you.
For up-to-date schedules and flights from all airports check Skyscanner.
See “getting to the start of the walk” below for transfer information.
Getting to the start of the walk
The first accommodation is normally in Montalto Pavese, though the 5-night version starts in Varzi. The last hotel is in Camogli. Transfer times and methods are suggested below for train stations and the three Milan airports, Genoa and Pisa.
Transfers from train stations:
Outwards: From Voghera station to Montalto Pavese or Varzi – pre-booked taxi (included in holiday price)
Return: Camogli station is within walking distance from most hotels
Transfers from airports:
Outwards: Bus/train then either short taxi (Mornico Losana) or bus or taxi (Varzi) – Milan airports or Genoa 2½ hrs, Pisa 4 hrs, OR pre-bookable taxi transfer from airport to first hotel
Return: Train then Airport bus – Genoa airport 2 hrs, Milan airports 5 hours, Pisa airport 3 hrs
For pre-bookable taxi costs, see “Prices”
Full transfer advice, including timetables, is provided in your Walkers’ Pack. Contact us if you would like additional pre-booking information.
Where You'll Stay
A wonderful range of local accommodation, including the highly stylish, the earnestly mountain and the friendly basic. All are committed to our ideals, and those before the coast all use locally-sourced (or home-grown) food and wine.
Night 1
Montalto Pavese – Cella di Montalto (dinner, B&B)
Real agriturismo in lovely position with eminent kitchen.
Night 3
Varzi – Locanda Le Cicale (B&B)
Lively restaurant with rooms in the heart of Varzi (a small town on the edge of the hills), run by Greta and her family.
Night 4
Albergo Capanne di Cosola (dinner, B&B)
Mountain pass restaurant with classic regional cuisine and newly refurbished rooms. Small spa.
Night 5
Due Ponti – Hotel due Ponti (dinner, B&B)
Friendly family run old coaching inn with large gardens on banks of the Trebbia.
Night 6
Simple B&Bs in either Calcinara or nearby Uscio - we will select the best available.
Night 7 (Upgrade)
Camogli – Cenobio dei Dogi (B&B)
Grand old lady of Camogli hotels, overlooking the sea, with pool, terraces, private beach etc. 3 night min stay end June, 5 nights in July and August, 2/3 nights in September and for two nights at weekends in early June.
Montalto Pavese – Cella di Montalto (dinner, B&B)
Real agriturismo in lovely position with eminent kitchen.
Website
Varzi – Locanda Le Cicale (B&B)
Lively restaurant with rooms in the heart of Varzi (a small town on the edge of the hills), run by Greta and her family.
Website
Albergo Capanne di Cosola (dinner, B&B)
Mountain pass restaurant with classic regional cuisine and newly refurbished rooms. Small spa.
Website
Due Ponti – Hotel due Ponti (dinner, B&B)
Friendly family run old coaching inn with large gardens on banks of the Trebbia.
Website
Camogli – Cenobio dei Dogi (B&B)
Grand old lady of Camogli hotels, overlooking the sea, with pool, terraces, private beach etc. 3 night min stay end June, 5 nights in July and August, 2/3 nights in September and for two nights at weekends in early June.
Website
Camogli – Sublimis Boutique Hotel (B&B)
Boutique hotel with contemporary rooms in a 19th century villa. Views of the bay and beach.
Website
Prices
Total 7 nights in double/twin room, all breakfasts, 4 evening meals, 5 picnics, all luggage transfers, pre-booked taxi transfer from Voghera station to Montalto Pavese, and a shortening transfer at the start of the day from Varzi if required; full Walkers Pack with route directions, maps, transfer and background information; local telephone support. Locally levied tourist taxes are not included.
All prices are per person unless otherwise indicated, and are based on a standard booking in early May. Prices may vary seasonally and a fixed price will be given to you before you commit.
Single Room Supplement (SRS): From £125
Lone Traveller Additional Supplement (LTAS): From £355
Large Party Saving (LPS): Groups of more than 2 people (on an identical itinerary, on the same booking and booked at the same time) – discount of at least £90 per person
Maximum party size: 10 (when using two different accommodations in Fortunago)
Add Ons
Extra nights in Camogli hotels and/or other stops en route: Contact On Foot Holidays (seasonal pricing)
Upgrade hotels in Camogli: Contact On Foot Holidays (seasonal pricing)
Taxi Milan airports to first hotel: Malpensa from £226 (1-3 pers.), £275(4-8); Linate from £182 (1-3), £220 (4-8); Bergamo from £275 (1-3), £330 (4-8)
Taxi Genoa airport to first hotel: from £231 (1-3 persons) £275 (4-8)
Taxis from/back to Pisa airport: Contact On Foot Holidays
Taxi from Voghera station to Montalto Pavese (pay locally) €55 (1-3 pers.), €72 (4-8); from Pavia station €94 (1-3), €110 (4-8). Voghera to Varzi €85 (1-3); €100 (4-8)
Spa entry at Capanne di Cosola: €16 per person (pay locally)
Sending Walkers Packs to addresses outside the UK: £20-£60 (per pack, location dependent)
Our local team
Paul Lizioli / Greta Coperchini
Paul is a seasoned voyager and has travelled extensively for both business and pleasure (bleasure!?) to over 50 countries and over 500 places on all continents. Paul created our route through the Ligurian Hills to the sea.
Greta now looks after our walkers on this route from her home in Varzi, where she also operates a restaurant and B&B.
