Hiking to Monte Antola between Liguria and Piedmont
In the Apennines, which form the border between Piedmont and Liguria, is the Antola National Park with a beautiful hiking area northeast of Genoa. When hiking around Monte Antola you will find untouched nature and beautiful panoramic views to the sea on the Gulf of Genoa at an altitude of over 1000 meters. The hike uses part of the ancient Via del Sale from Pavia to Genoa. This route is quite moderate and also suitable for beginners.
What to Expect on a Hike to Monte Antola at the Via del Sale
The hike runs over 13 kilometers practically on the border line between Piedmont in the north and Liguria in the south. The trail is well signposted and easily accessible in all seasons without major difficulties. It goes uphill and downhill in between without steep climbs. In damp weather, the path is partly muddy, as it is also used by horses and cows. It takes about 2 hours to get there and 2 hours to get back.
Description of the Hike to Monte Antola between Liguria and Piedmont
- Duration: 4 Hours, without lunch break and detours
- Difficulty level: 1 out of 5
- Distance: 13.6 km
- Lowest altitude: 1406 m
- Highest altitude: Monte Antola 1597 m
- Total climb: 370 m
- Total descend: 328 m
Starting Point of the Hike Capanne di Carrega
The former Osteria Capanne di Carrega was a meeting and refreshment point on Via del Sale. The traders originally stopped here to transport salt, grain, and wine between Liguria and Piedmont. The shelter was later used by the partisans. There is a parking space at Capanne Carrega. Capanne di Carrega is the starting point for many hikes because this is where other paths to Monte Carmo, Capanna di Cosola, and Monte Chiappa begin. Here we leave the car and continue on foot for a beautiful day in the mountains.
Hiking Trail on Via del Sale to Monte Antola
Via del Sale is around 200 meters away. The path leads right into the forest. The hiking trail to Monte Antola is well signposted. The trail usually leads slightly uphill along the mountain slope. A herd of cows cross the path and look puzzled at the hiker when you have to pass close. The Piedmontese cattle graze here. They are known for their tender, tasty meat. In between, you have a beautiful view of the mountains of the Apennines. The town of Caprile and Lago del Brugneto is on the left. It is the water reservoir for Genoa.
From Passo delle Tre Croci to Monte Antola
Pass Colle delle Tre Croci is just above the path on the right. From here you overlook the valley of Campassi (Val Campassi) and the Val Carreghino. In this area, on the border between Liguria and Piedmont, originate the springs that feed the Borbera. The Borbera characterizes a beautiful river valley, Val Borbera. The deeply cut valley of the Borbera attracts bathers looking for peace and relaxation in summer. At Passo delle Tre Croci there are three wooden crosses at 1495 meters as a reminder of the three men who were surprised by a snowstorm and were killed here. Continue uphill to Monte Antola. The path now leads downhill, past a small chapel and an abandoned rifugio to the new Rifugio Parco Monte Antola, which offers food and accommodation.
Way back via Casa del Romano
After walking back almost to the end, turn right at the Casa del Romana junction and go past the observatory. At the end of the hike, you can take a well-deserved rest in the Trattoria Casa del Romana restaurant.
At the historic Casa del Romano there is an important cross between the valleys of the Borbera river and the Trebbia river. At Casa del Romano you can enjoy good food, a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains, and a good view of the Mediterranean Sea at Genoa.
Thanks to its location far from inhabited places and the associated low light pollution, an observatory was built on the slope.
Alternatively, the hike can start at the Casa del Romano restaurant. Parking facilities are available.
Why Hiking to Monte Antola with milano24ore?
Pricing
The above price has been calculated for a group of 8 participants on a 4-hour hike. Please let us know the number of participants and special wishes with your request.
Services Included in the Price
We provide an authorized Mountain Guide that speaks your language. Our guide will accompany you on this hike. He or she will give you interesting details on the way and the region where the river Borbera has his source. Your guide draws your attention to special cuisine between Liguria and Piedmont.
Additional Services
– Multi-day tour pre-arranged with guide and meals
for example the hike from Campassi to the mills
– Overnight stays with breakfast and dinner
– Wine and food tasting
– Private transfers
Exclusive and in Your Language
The hiking tour is organized only for you and your fellow travelers. They are conducted in the language you choose. We have experienced local guides for Italian, English, French. Other languages on request or with an interpreter.
Arrival and Meeting Place
Your guide can meet you at Capanne Carrega or at your hotel in Piedmont or Liguria. We can organize transport to the meeting point and collect you from the endpoint.
Stages of the Hike
Via Del Sale Lombarda
The hike goes along a section of the old salt road, the so-called Via del Sale Lombarda. It connected the Oltrepo Pavese (the area south of Pavia) via the course of the Borbera river and the Apennines at Monte Antola with the port of Genoa and thus the gateway to the Mediterranean. The Via del Sale crossed the three regions of Lombardy, Piedmont, and Liguria. On this easily accessible route, goods were transported across the mountains with donkeys and horses, but also with carts. Today, the Via del Sale is a popular tourist route for hiking through the Alps and Apennines. In some places, it is even suitable for mountain bikers.
Nature Reserve Monte Antola
The Antola Nature Park is located on the border between the regions of Liguria and Piedmont, with Monte Antola in Liguria. The nature reserve created in 1995 covers almost 5000 hectares (50 square kilometers). The Antola Natural Park is dominated by the Monte Antola. The Monte Antola with 1597 m altitude is considered a watershed between the Vobbia and Brevenna valleys, which later flow into the Scrivia and the Brugneto and Cassingheno valleys, which flow into the Trebbia. The most beautiful places in the Antola Nature Park are the Monte Antola, the Brugneto reservoir as Genoa’s water reservoir, the Casa del Romano observatory, the Monte Reale, the Castello della Pietra and the Val Brevenna eco-museum. The Monte Antola Natural Park has a rich flora and fauna, including wolves.
Casa del Romano, the House of the Roman at 1406 m altitude
A legend says that a young boy once moved from the Trebbia Valley to Rome, where he met a girl with whom he immediately fell in love. She agreed to move to Sottoripa with him. The girl thought of the beautiful Sottoripa shopping arcade in Genoa, while the boy had his home in Sottoripa di Montebruno in mind. When she got there, the girl was very disappointed and sarcastically asked if there was another place in the mountains. The boy took her word for it and moved her to the slope of Monte Antola, where he had built the Casa del Romano. No shopping arcade there either.
Hiking Alone in the Mountains
You are welcome to get inspired by our description of this hike. However, we recommend to not hike alone and do not go without an experienced local licensed guide. Mountains are dangerous and you can get lost or surprised by weather. Also, our description might have small errors, be incomplete or outdated. Therefore, we recommend you book the tour with us and let us take care of the organization.
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