Along the Aurelia road and the Argentina Valley.
Sunshine, witches and corals along the Aurelia road and the Argentina Valley.
From the colours of the sea to the medieval atmospheres and the mountain landscapes most typical of the hinterland. A trip that begins from the picturesque beach villages along the shore all the way through the hills and olive groves of the Western areas and ends in a legendary place, among the grazing plains of the Ligurian Alps.
Duration
about 3 hours e 6 minutes
Lenght
109 km
Leaving from Laigueglia, a splendid beach town of colourful houses all gathered around the caruggio street and along the sandy beach, follow the SS 1 Aurelia road on the right, due west. After passing Capo Mele, which gives the opportunity to enjoy fantastic lookout points over the sea and the entire Riviera, and Andora, after 11 km and 20 minutes you will get, after a final slight slope, to the village of Cervo, its castle and its alleys descending towards the magnificent Baroque church. Continue along the SS 1 Aurelia road due west through San Bartolomeo al Mare, Diano Marina and Imperia all the way to San Lorenzo al Mare, from which the provincial road departs, then becoming via Cipressa, and heads to the medieval village of Lingueglietta, over a panoramic cliff. Go back down towards the SS 1 Aurelia road – in the region of Piani di Cipressa. Passing thorough the villages of Santo Stefano al Mare and Riva Ligure, the state road continues all the way to Arma di Taggia; from here, go up the Argentina valley along the SP 548 road, through Taggia, Badalucco and the small villages of the lower valley among wooded areas, olive groves and panoramic views, until you reach Molini di Triora. Now the slope becomes steep and the SP 52 road reaches the mountain village of Triora, surrounded by the beautiful peaks of the Ligurian Alps, rich in history and folklore. Go back down across the entire Argentina valley and head back to the shore to reach Arma di Taggia.
Itinerary: approximately 3 hours and 6 minutes, 109 km
Laigueglia
One of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy
Laigueglia, a hymn to the sea.
A tiny marvel over the sea, with pastel colours, colourful houses, a lively caruggio lungo street and a few small squares facing the fine sandy beach, Laigueglia is a pleasure for the eyes and an experience that will last a lifetime.
This village of ancient origins, once a coral fishermen’s village, still boasts today all its untouched maritime nature. Discover its religious side too, with the beautiful San Matteo Baroque church: the crosses of its two bell towers face towards the mistral and libeccio winds, to protect sailors.
Now turn your attention to the path of via Julia Augusta: a magnificent panorama opens up, among farmhouses, cultivated areas and blooming orchards. Here, between sea and land, nature is rich in colours and fragrances, as well as good food. Sit at the table, in a traditional trattoria, to enjoy the intense flavours of stuffed sardines or enjoy a typical sweet treat such as “baci di Laigueglia”. Enjoy a nice glass of Pigato di Albenga, Riviera di Ponente DOC wine, which will keep you good company. Then continue for 20 minutes and 11 km along road SS 1 Aurelia, which from Capo Mele offers excellent lookouts over the sea and the entire Liguria coastline, all the way to the small and colourful village of Cervo, nestled up high on the hill.
ART
Medieval village of Colla Micheri, San Matteo church, Cavallo fortress, Maddalena oratory, Madonna delle Penne chapel.
FOOD AND WINE
Stuffed sardines, baci di Laigueglia and gobeletti sweets.
EVENTS
“Percfest Laigueglia” jazz festival, Laigueglia trophy, Saracens landing.
SPORT
Swimming, sailing, kitesurfing, mountain biking.
NATURE
Whale-watching.
WALKING ROUTES
Historical, cultural, environmental and panoramic path, Laigueglia-Andora Alta Via trekking path.
Cervo
One of the most beautiful villages of Italy.
Cervo, the coral village.
The SS 1 Aurelia road goes from Laigueglia towards the west for 11 km and 20 minutes, sometimes running along the beaches and sometimes climbing up to the panoramic Capo Mele and Capo Mimosa. A thick maze of narrow, silent and sunny streets, among plants winding through the houses, sleepy cats in shady corners and then the open vastness of the big sea, of a magnificent blue, that looks at the silhouette of Corsica.
In a nutshell, this is Cervo, located in a privileged position, a village embraced by a nature that loves and pampers it. Experience its silent charm departing from its historical centre, then go down to the beach, along a maze of Medieval houses, alleys, a few squares and peaceful corners. The Clavesana castle and the San Giovanni Battista church overlook the village. The church, with its bell tower, stands up elegantly and is a marvel of the Liguria Baroque style. It is also known as “dei Corallini” because the coral fishermen funded its construction. Enjoy the luxury of indolence, as well as some delicious food, such as the catch of the day cooked on the grill, maybe accompanied by some tapenade made with local taggiasche olives, while sipping a cool glass of Vermentino DOC Riviera Ligure di Ponente wine. Climbing down from the town, continue along the SS 1 Aurelia road due west going through the city of Imperia and up to San Lorenzo al Mare, where a short slope between woods and olive groves leads to the medieval village of Lingueglietta, after approximately 50 minutes and 25 km.
ART
Clavesana castle with Ethnographic museum, “Corallini” church, Santa Caterina oratory, olive mill U Gumbu, Viale palace, gates of the walls.
CRAFTS
Artistic ceramics.
EVENTS
International chamber music festival; Cervo Ti Strega.
FOOD AND WINE
Extra virgin olive oil, olive tapenade.
SPORT
Swimming, sailing, hiking.
WEBSITES
Lingueglietta
One of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy
Lingueglietta, the church-fortress village.
Coming from Cervo, follow the SS 1 Aurelia road that goes along the coast up to San Lorenzo al Mare. After a brief climb up between woods and olive groves, the road leads to Lingueglietta, nestled on the hills of the municipality of Cipressa, not far from the sea.
A stone and red roofs village, as quiet as a “sun tanning lizard”, sitting on a cliff and open to wide panoramas. The village takes its name from the fief of the counts of Lengueglia that governed it in name of the Republic of Genoa for seven centuries. Its profile, rustic yet elegant, is most evident among the caruggi alleys, ramps and tunnels that lead to a single and unique building: the fortified San Pietro church. A majestic and solemn building, built in the thirteenth century and then transformed over the centuries into a defensive fortress to stop the barbarian pirates and host the population during their incursions.
Admire it with care: its visual impression and its charm come from the extraordinary fusion of a military architecture and a religious place. Do not miss the wonderful panorama by climbing up the battlements and let the magical atmosphere of the evening charm you. For dinner, taste some spring onion chickpea farinata accompanied by a glass of good Rossese della Riviera Ligure di Ponente DOC wine.
To continue this itinerary, drive for 70 minutes and 42 km along the SS 1 Aurelia that follows the shore and the SP 542 road that, from Arma di Taggia, climbs up the green Argentina valley to reach the ancient village of Triora, the capital of the Ligurian Alps.
ART
San Pietro church-fortress, “Skulpturenpark Tra i mondi” by Carin Grudda.
FOOD AND WINE
Extra virgin olive oli, friscioi, Ligurian style rabbit, lavender cookies.
WEBSITES
Triora
Orange Flag, one of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy
Triora, between grazing meadows and witches.
Seventy minutes and 42 km from Lingueglietta along the SS 1 Aurelia road, by the sea, and the SP 542 road crossing the Argentina valley will take you to the ancient village of Triora, dating back to thousands of years ago, with its typical mountain style and shy attitude yet bold in its role of capital of an Alpine region rich in history and culture. In the past, it was also an important crossing point for transhumance and a monumental village standing guard to the western Genoa area borders.
Today the traces of the past are still very well alive: noble houses, etched stone portals, castles, churches boasting fifteenth century paintings, the fountains and the … strie, the bàsue, yes, the legendary witches that once were said to meet here, just outside the village walls, at the fortress of Cabotina. Between myth and reality, here history tells about the trial that saw thirty people accused of witchcraft in 1587.
These are places that evoke eerie moments but that also leave room to sunshine and charming images, such as the vast hamlets peppered throughout the mountains that go up to the sky: from 650 meters above sea level of Loreto to 1100 meters above sea level of Realdo and Verdeggia up to 1300 meters above sea level of Monesi, among firs and the ski runs of the Saccarello Mount. Breathe in deeply: nature here is majestic and ever present, in the heart of the Regional Park of the Ligurian Alps among the bright colours of the woods, the hopping of chamois, the flight of eagles and the silent steps of wolves. And yet again the bells of grazing cattle, the century-old slate houses and the rugged Brigasca mountain sheep herds.
Here you can indulge in the fruits and flavours of this land, a land of delicious and genuine foods, the Brigasca sheep cheeses – toma, sola and bruss – as well as lasagna with beets and rustic bread. A complete menu of specialties that are simple yet tasty and pair perfectly with the Ormeasco di Pornassio DOC red wine. Finally, going back across the Argentina valley, after approximately 50 minutes and 30 km you will go back to Arma di Taggia and its beaches, at the end of this itinerary.
ART
Historical center, Assunta collegiate church, San Bernardino frescoes, Cabotina house, etched doors, Archaeological Park of Arma della Grà di Marmo, Loreto bridge.
TRADITIONS
Ethnographic and witchcraft museum, Brigasca traditions of Verdeggia and Realdo.
EVENTS
Mushroom festival, Halloween, Redeemer Festival.
FOOD AND WINE
Triora bread, Brigasca sheep toma cheeses (Slow Food Presidium), bruss, lambs of Brigasca sheep, chestnuts, honey, mushrooms, products of the “white cuisine”.
HANDCRAFTS
Slate of the Argentina valley.
WALKING GROUTES
Alta Via dei Monti Liguri trekking path and connected trails.
NATURE
Regional park of the Ligurian Alps, Saccarello mount, Gerbonte forest, Brigasca villages.
SPORT
Hiking, trekking, mountain biking, paragliding, hand-gliding, Alpine skiing, rock climbing, canyoning, stream-bed trekking