From Val di Vara up to Sestri Levante.
Mediterranean nature and rural scenery in Val di Vara up to Sestri Levante.
From the faceted coastal profiles all the way into the heart of Eastern Liguria. A journey that begins and ends in the midst of the light of the sea and graces the soul of the Val di Vara inland. Here, from a hard terrain, organic excellences renowned all over the world are born.
Duration
about 1 hours e 47 minutes.
Lenght
69 km.
From the sea of Framura, one of the most beautiful and savage tracts of coast of the Liguria region, the route climbs up among pine trees, small strips of cultivated fields, villages watched by ancient guard towers, with luminous views towards the azure horizon of the sea and the white mountain peaks of the far away Apuan alps.
The SP 41 and 40 roads reach the SS 1 Aurelia road in a stretch far from the sea; it is possible to follow them up to Mattarana, then on the left take the SP 46 road that leads to Ziona and Ponte Santa Margherita on the Vara river. Following it along the SP 566, it is possible to reach San Pietro Vara and from here, through the SP 523 road, in about one hour and 41 km you can reach Varese Ligure, capital of the upper Val di Vara, a land of agriculture and organic farming. You can go back to the sea by driving back to San Pietro Vara and continuing on the SP 523 road due south-west up to the tunnel that goes through the Velva hill. The descent along Val Petronio touches the villages of Castiglione Chiavarese, surrounded by forests and fields, and Casarza Ligure up to Sestri Levante, where the itinerary ends.
It totals 1 hour and 47 minutes to complete, with 69 km of travel.
Framura
One of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy
Framura, the village that admires the sea.
Made of a group of scattered hamlets overlooking the coast at different heights, Framura awaits visitors and takes them directly into the light of the Mediterranean. Tourists can stop at Castagnola, with the peasant houses and the small vegetable gardens cultivated on the terraced strips. Precious works are hiding in the Costa hamlet, like the ancient San Martino parish church with a “Madonna of the Rosary” by Bernardo Strozzi and the nearby Carolingian tower, now a bell tower. Visitors can look around the square next to the tower and on very clear days you can see the sea beyond the Ponente Riviera, the Ligurian Alps and the French Riviera. A bit further down there is Setta, with a Genoese watchtower and the neoclassical of San Rocco chapel.
Closer to the sea is Anzo, which boasts two architectural jewels, the Genoese watchtower dating back to the 15th century and the neo-Gothic Madonna della neve church. At the bottom, there is the fishing harbour and a biking path that alternates crisp tunnels and sudden glimpses of the sunny sea. The call to go for a swim comes naturally from the beach of Porto Pidocchio with its purple hued pebbles. After a moment of relaxation, visitors can taste the “bread of Framura”, cooked in an antique oven and seasoned with a drizzle of extra virgin Ligurian Riviera DOP olive oil, perhaps accompanied by a glass of Colline di Levanto DOC white wine. Leaving Framura, it is possible to climb up the SP 41 and 40 roads up to SS 1 Aurelia road, to be followed eastwards up to Mattarana; from here turn left on the SP 46 road which heads towards Ponte Santa Margherita over the Vara river.
Following it, the SP 566 road reaches San Pietro Vara and then the SP 523 road, after one hour and 41 km, reaches Varese Ligure, the centre of upper Val di Vara known as the “organic products” valley.
ART
Parish church of San Martino de Muris and Carolingian tower in Costa, linear village of Anzo with guard tower and Gothic N.S. della Neve chapel.
SPORT
Coastal biking path Framura-Levanto-Bonassola
WALKING ROUTES
Coastal trail Deiva-Framura-Bonassola, Alta Via delle Cinque Terre trekking path.
NATURE
Beaches of Porto Pidocchio, Punta dei Marmi cliff, panorama from Costa.
Varese Ligure
One of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy and Orange Flag
Varese Ligure, historical charm.
After leaving Framura, the panoramic SP 41 and 40 roads climb up to the SS 1 Aurelia road near Baracca; then the road descends due east down to Mattarana and from here, turning left on the SP 46 road, you can reach Ponte Santa Margherita over the Vara river. Turn left and follow the road on the SP 566 road up to San Pietro Vara and then on the SP 523 road.
After an hour and 41 km from the departure point, the panorama becomes one of rolling hills, low mountains and wide forests that form the setting to a masterpiece: the village of Varese Ligure. Discover an urban area of rare elegance, a historical centre perfectly preserved that still echoes the authentic atmospheres of the past. Stroll around and discover hidden corners until you reach the fifteenth century Fieschi castle in Borgo Rotondo, a coloured district with arcades ordered by the Fieschi as a trading centre in the 14th century. Then continue on via Umberto I and via Garibaldi along Borgo Nuovo where sixteenth century palaces in Genoese style show off along with the Oratory of Saints Antonio and Rocco with the big procession crosses, then reach the medieval bridge of Grecino. However, the true value of Varese Ligure can be found in its wide territory and its ancient and deep farming culture. Do not miss the Museum of Farming Tradition in Càssego, on the provincial road heading to the Bocco pass. The traditional gastronomy finds its wonderful expression in these lands as well, with high quality beef, milk and cheeses, and the extraordinary “black rooster of Val di Vara”. Do not leave Varese without tasting at least one of its cheeses and its excellent sauces prepared with mushrooms from local forests, both accompanied with a good glass of red wine Liguria di Levante IGT. From history to cuisine, without forgetting wellness and sport: there are plenty of occasions to enjoy hiking in these areas, as well as horseback riding and adrenaline-pumping river rafting in the waters of the Vara river.
To go back to the coast, return to San Pietro Vara and continue on the SP 523 road due south-west; after the tunnel of the Velva hill, the descent along val Petronio crosses Castiglione Chiavarese and Casarza Ligure to reach Sestri Levante, after 45 minutes and 29 km.
ART
Borgo Rotondo, Fieschi castle, Grexin bridge, Borgo Nuovo, Museum of the Saints Antonio and Rocco Oratory, portals in Caranza slate.
TRADITIONS
Càssego Farming Tradition Museum.
FOOD AND WINE
Meats, milk, cheese and dairy products, mushrooms, chestnuts, vegetables, honey, IGT wine, Black Rooster of Val di Vara (Slow Food Presidium).
SPORT
Trekking, horseback riding, Vara river rafting.
WALKING ROUTES
Alta Via dei Monti Liguri trekking path and connected trails.
NATURE
Vara river, Gòttero Mount, monumental trees (laburnum and Bregaggin beech).