LG09 - Photo Gallery 01
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Adding new walking trips and 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. |
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.
Xtrallusion offers a variety
of self-guided holidays, all year round. |
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