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