Public transport stops at Ponte di Nava from where the option is a taxi or road walk along the
steep-sided Tanaro valley to Viozene and up to Rifugio Mongioie. From the first day of real walking the
limestone Ligurian Alps
pose a challenge with big ascents and
karst landscape, the often barren terrain coloured by a huge
variety of wild flowers. Brief illness forced us to miss our planned route for days 2+3 and use foot,
bus, train and hitch-hiking to reach the tiny farming hamlet of Palanfre with its wonderful food. Although
little used the long
climb to the stunning ridge walk along Costa Pianard on day 4 and then down to Trinita was surprisingly
well-signed. Views stretched from the French border and the rugged dramatic peaks of the
Maritime Alps
to the plains of the Upper Po valley. Day 5 looked relatively easy and low-level on paper but was very
challenging with narrow paths and extremely steep climbs and descents.
After San Giacomo we followed
a trail used by persecuted Jews in WWII as we climbed to our first taste of
snow with cols. The isolated Rifugio Ginova dominated by the
Argentera peak and perched above a large
hydro-electric lake proved to be an attraction for
chamois and
ibex tempted by the food
available.
To see the photos for week 1
click here
Route1 - Accommodation1 - Photos Cols - Photos Accommodation - Photos Panoramas - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2