Discover Liguria, from Menton to San Remo

Early in the morning, you will take a bus to the village of Castellar, perched at an altitude of 340m and offering breathtaking views of the Bay of Menton. This is where your hike will begin, with a choice of two routes: short or long.

The shorter route involves a climb up the mountainside below the Roc de l'Orméa, reaching the pass and the Saint Bernard chapel at 769m altitude, before ascending to the border ridge, crossed at the Passo della Corna (1045m). The descent on the Italian side is easy and offers magnificent views of the sea, leading to the Passo dei Sette Camini (424m) and then to the hamlet of Grimaldi (130m altitude) via a good path. You will then take a short transfer by bus or taxi (on weekends) to Ventimiglia, where you can visit the old town and its historical monuments such as the Romanesque cathedral and baptistery.

The longer route , on the other hand, requires a challenging climb to the Col du Berceau (1090m), offering spectacular views to the north and south. In just a few minutes, you can also ascend to the summit of Restaud (1190m) for an even more breathtaking panorama. The descent then leads through the forest on the north-facing slope before the final climb to the Passo de la Corna (1045m). The descent on the Italian side follows a magnificent ridge to the Passo dei Sette Camini, where you rejoin the shorter route to Grimaldi. A short bus transfer then takes you to Ventimiglia, where you will spend the night in a 3-star hotel.

Long route: It begins with a transfer by regular bus or taxi from Ventimiglia to the hamlet of Torri, located in the Bévéra Valley at an altitude of 95m. A gentle climb along the left bank of the Bévéra then leads to the hamlet of Collabassa at an altitude of 320m. The path descends to cross the Roya River and reach the village of Airole at an altitude of 110m. After a break, a more challenging climb leads to the Sella dei Due Abelli, followed by a beautiful descent into the Rochetta Nervina Valley. The route concludes with a final olive grove leading directly to the hotel at an altitude of 200m.

Easy route: for those less inclined to hike, it's possible to travel directly to the village of Airole by taxi or bus. The night is spent in a 3-star hotel in Rochetta Nervina.

The day begins with an exploration of the village of Rochetta-Nervina, nestled at the bottom of the valley where two streams converge. A small path follows the stream before climbing along a rugged ridge that reaches an altitude of 735 meters. Descending the other side of the ridge, we reach the village of Isolabona and the Nervia Valley, situated at an altitude of 100 meters. After visiting the village, the most challenging part is yet to come, as we must ascend to the hillside village of Apricale, listed among the most beautiful villages in Italy, at an altitude of 250 meters.

The night will be spent in a 3-star hotel in Apricale.

After exploring Apricale, a pleasant path will lead us to the ridge where the village of Perinaldo is perched at an altitude of nearly 600 meters, offering breathtaking views of the sea! We will then descend towards Dolceacqua along a pilgrimage route leading to the Virgin of Sorrows. We will arrive above the old village via its imposing castle, but Dolceacqua is most famous for its daring medieval bridge that spans the Nervia River (and for its wines!).

After visiting the village, we will take a regular bus to reach the village of Pigna, located in the upper Nervia Valley. This charming village is home to a magnificent altarpiece and a chapel painted by Canavesio, one of the major artists of the late 15th century in this cultural region between Savoy and Liguria.

We will spend the night in 3* guest rooms or equivalent in Pigna.

The trail begins at our hotel and leads to the hilltop village of Castelvittorio (412m). We cross the village, climbing stepped streets, then continue uphill to the San Sebastiano chapel (700m). After a short flat section, we descend to the Bonda bridge (500m), before beginning the long ascent through the forest that leads to the highest hilltop village on our circuit: Baiardo (900m).

We will spend the night in 3* guest rooms or equivalent in Baiardo.

Starting from the village of Baiardo, you'll follow a long, wooded ridge that leads easily to the summit of Mount Bignone (1299m), offering the most beautiful panoramic view of the Ligurian coast. During the Belle Époque, a cable car even transported tourists from the Riviera to this spot. You'll then descend through the forest of the San Romolo Nature Reserve (760m) before taking a bus to San Remo. You'll spend the night in a 3-star hotel in the center of San Remo.

It's advisable to spend at least a morning exploring San Remo, especially if you're there on a Saturday, as that's when the weekly market is held at the foot of the cathedral. You can then return by trolleybus or train to Ventimiglia (numerous departures are available). In Ventimiglia, you can connect to TER regional trains towards Menton or Nice.