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Photos of mountain walks in the Ligurian Alps.

Photo Gallery of the ALPINE TRAIL walk.
Riviera Ponente, Liguria, Italy.

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GUIDED WALKING PHOTO SET
Picture Gallery LG09 - the ALPINE TRAIL walk.
Images of a walking trip in Liguria's coastal hills and inland mountains.

Distance: 9-11 km | Time: 5-6 hours | Difficulty: Medium hard | Height gain: 530m.


HOLIDAYS that take you to these walking trails in Liguria, Italy

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Visit our Photo Library of Italy and Liguria
Visit our holiday pages for a variety of SELF-GUIDED HOLIDAYS in ITALY taking you to these beautiful cities and regions of Italy.
LG09 - Photo Gallery 01

 Xtrallusion photo library of independent, self-guided walking and sightseeing holidays in Italy. Pictures, images, photos and photographs taken along the way of this 1-day walking itinerary, to give you a visual impression of the day's walk.

 Xtrallusion photo library of independent, self-guided walking and sightseeing holidays in Italy. Pictures, images, photos and photographs taken along the way of this 1-day walking itinerary, to give you a visual impression of the day's walk.

 Xtrallusion photo library of independent, self-guided walking and sightseeing holidays in Italy. Pictures, images, photos and photographs taken along the way of this 1-day walking itinerary, to give you a visual impression of the day's walk.

 Xtrallusion photo library of independent, self-guided walking and sightseeing holidays in Italy. Pictures, images, photos and photographs taken along the way of this 1-day walking itinerary, to give you a visual impression of the day's walk.

 Xtrallusion photo library of independent, self-guided walking and sightseeing holidays in Italy. Pictures, images, photos and photographs taken along the way of this 1-day walking itinerary, to give you a visual impression of the day's walk.

 Xtrallusion photo library of independent, self-guided walking and sightseeing holidays in Italy. Pictures, images, photos and photographs taken along the way of this 1-day walking itinerary, to give you a visual impression of the day's walk.

 Xtrallusion photo library of independent, self-guided walking and sightseeing holidays in Italy. Pictures, images, photos and photographs taken along the way of this 1-day walking itinerary, to give you a visual impression of the day's walk.

 Xtrallusion photo library of independent, self-guided walking and sightseeing holidays in Italy. Pictures, images, photos and photographs taken along the way of this 1-day walking itinerary, to give you a visual impression of the day's walk.

 Xtrallusion photo library of independent, self-guided walking and sightseeing holidays in Italy. Pictures, images, photos and photographs taken along the way of this 1-day walking itinerary, to give you a visual impression of the day's walk.

 Xtrallusion photo library of independent, self-guided walking and sightseeing holidays in Italy. Pictures, images, photos and photographs taken along the way of this 1-day walking itinerary, to give you a visual impression of the day's walk.

 Xtrallusion photo library of independent, self-guided walking and sightseeing holidays in Italy. Pictures, images, photos and photographs taken along the way of this 1-day walking itinerary, to give you a visual impression of the day's walk.

 Xtrallusion photo library of independent, self-guided walking and sightseeing holidays in Italy. Pictures, images, photos and photographs taken along the way of this 1-day walking itinerary, to give you a visual impression of the day's walk.

 Xtrallusion photo library of independent, self-guided walking and sightseeing holidays in Italy. Pictures, images, photos and photographs taken along the way of this 1-day walking itinerary, to give you a visual impression of the day's walk.

 Xtrallusion photo library of independent, self-guided walking and sightseeing holidays in Italy. Pictures, images, photos and photographs taken along the way of this 1-day walking itinerary, to give you a visual impression of the day's walk.
LG09 - Photo Gallery 01
Adding new photographs of Liguria, the Italian Rivieras and Italy every month.
This is by far the most beautiful trail in Liguria and one of the best in Europe, for the diversity of the Landscape, the beauty of the rocks, very comparable to the Dolomites, abundance of fauna, flora and history. The Alpine trail was hacked through the rocks in between the two World Wars. Our hike begins at Colle Melosa at approx 1600 m a.s.l. near the new refuge F. Allavena. A very well-run establishment, open all hours and offering food and accommodation should you want to extend your stay in this beautiful part of the Region. We take a sharp left turn at the Fontana Italo and start the defined trail. We will instantly notice extensive rhododendron plants which cover entire slopes and that in late spring provide a fantastic riot of colour. We then reach the connection to the Alpine trail itself. The trail has literally been hacked by hand through the steep rock, an amazing human feat. The route will take us through rock tunnels on exposed (but safe) ground, where beautiful dried stone walls support the steep descent.

The deepest cave in the whole region is present, making the area an attraction for pot-holers. The rock faces around us are very impressive: another source of interest for seasoned rock climbers. These limestone faces are very similar to the Dolomites in aspect, and not for nothing they are known as the "small Dolomites". Here we also have two excellent "Via Ferrata" routes of a very difficult grade and we can also include these in the itinerary for those keen on tackling them.

On our steep descent amongst spectacular views, we arrive at a lovely old fountain fed by cool spring water: wonderful refreshment on a hot day. We then reach the crux of the hike, arriving at the base of a deep and impressive gully called Gola dell'Incisa. To reach the top, a series of beautiful twisting tracks have been made, supported by dry stone walling built with the aid of the Region and the Alpine Club (some of it has been recently covered by a landslide). We reach the top with a height gain of some 100 m. Here we have a choice to take a left turn and include in the hike the summit of M.Toraggio at just less than 2000m a.s.l. (approx 1 hour extra) which joins this point again on a circular route. Having reached the top and turn left, we enter French territory and follow the north eastern side of Mount Pietravecchia: 2038 m. We walk trough a wood of larix and note again the low growing rhododendron shrubs and pick the wonderful sweet and juicy fruit of the wild raspberry bushes (August to September).

We then rapidly reach, on easy meadows, the Valletta Pass which will then take us down a lovely path to our original starting point. The beauty of this long trail is of course both from the spectacular panoramas and botanical aspects. The particular position of these mountains in an Alpine setting, but yet so close to the Mediterranean, have produced amazing endemism such as the spectacular flowering of the peony officinalis, unique to this area, and of the saxifrage lingulata. I have had the privilege to also spot chamois, marmot and many birds of prey such as falcon.


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Prestigious properties amongst the olives on the Italian Riviera - with terraces, gardens and pool.


Italian Riviera Homes
Specialising in beautiful conversions of prominent old 'borghi' into luxury properties set in their own grounds of vines, fruit and olive trees. Finished properties are the result of a crafted restoration of all genuine and authentic characteristics. Unique opportunities in one of the Riviera's more sought after locations.


Click the photo advert on the left for details.


Adventure, activity and walking holidays in Italy on the Italian Rivieras. Independent, escorted and self guided walking holidays in Liguria, Italy - plus paragliding, 4x4 and skiing holidays. Come and discover the undiscovered and allow yourself to be charmed by Italy's beautiful Ligurian Rivieras. Visit and explore mountains, mediterranean rivieras and one of Italy's lesser known regions - on foot, by 4x4, with paraglider or on skis.
Enjoy relaxed, independent walking holidays in Italy along the Italian Rivieras using self-guided itineraries. Explore the beautiful mediterranean countryside and coastal mountains by foot taking in some of the regions most famous and magnificent towns and coast - the Cinque Terre, Portofino, Genova (Genoa), Santa Margherita, Rapallo, San Fruttuoso, Camogli, Chiavari, Sestri Levante, Vernazza, Manarola, Riomaggiore, Monterosso al Mare, Corniglia, Portovenere, Savona, Spotorno, Noli, Finale, Alassio, Imperia, San Remo and it's national parks to name but a few.
Whatever you look for in the great outdoors, the region of Liguria in northern Italy, is a paradise for independent walking, hiking, mountain walking, coastal walking, and simply exploring the regions characteristic seaside towns and fishing villages - in spring, summer, autumn and winter. Liguria, an intense flavour of Italy in one of Europe's most unique 'sea and mountain' locations.

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Holidays & Adventures in Italy and on the Italian Rivieras
Xtrallusion offers a selection of self-guided & escorted holidays in Italy