Easy and profitable excursion, almost entirely on the ridge, which reaches the summit of Monte Gottero, the highest mountain in eastern Liguria, from which you can enjoy a spectacular view.
Passing the limit of beech trees (about 1500 meters), you walk among relaxing pastures, in a very interesting environment also from a wildlife perspective: it is possible in fact to observe numerous birds of prey, daytime and nocturns, swifts and some red partridge. In the woods, it is also easy to meet the tracks left by the wild boar and badger.
A hint now in Varese Ligure, with its characteristic Borgo Rotondo, so called for its circular structure. An ellipse of small and thin houses, characterized by a low porch, describes a round square still occupied by a core of taller houses.
The whole structure dates back to the fourteenth century, when Varese was already a nerve center for commerce and communication routes, conceived by the Fieschi for military and merchant purposes. On the north side are the Gate and the Castle, dominated by the high circular tower. Not far away, on the Gresino stream, stands a medieval bridge on the back of a donkey. The austere tower is faced by the seventeenth-century church of Saints Teresa and Philip, with its two twin bell towers. Finally, worth noting is the bell tower in the hamlet Buto, which preserves intact ancient sandstone bas-reliefs from the VII-8th century.
From Varese Ligure, in the upper Val di Vara, follow the road to the Passo di Cento Croci. Just before the pass, take a small road on the right, with signs for “Cappelletta”, until you reach the homonymous pass, where there is precisely a chapel (altitude 1085 meters).
After leaving the car, we walk south, always near the ridge of the mountain. The description of the itinerary, in practice, is all here: to stay more or less faithfully on the ridge, with some ups and downs, until you reach the highest point of the ridge, namely the summit of the Monte Gottero: altitude 1639 meters, 2 hours from the Passo della Cappelletta.
The return takes place along the same path as the climb and takes 1.15 hours.
Travel time: 3.15 hours
Starting altitude: 1085 m.
Elevation gain: 700 m approx.
Difficulty: E - Hiking
Recommended period: March - November
Region: Liguria
< strong>Province:
La Spezia Valle/Zone: Val di Vara
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