the old salt route

From the car park overlooking the Staffora, follow the signs towards the bridge, then the path on the left. A wide path, first flat, then of variable slope, will take you to Monteforte and then to Castellaro, periodically intersecting the asphalted provincial road and the local cart track.
At the end of the town, continue along a wide dirt road surrounded by woods until you reach the border between Lombardy and Piedmont. On the border line, continue on the ridge that will accompany us up to the 1700m of Monte Chiappo, where at the bar / refuge it is possible to refresh yourself before the descent to the Capanne di Cosola (province of Alessandria, Piedmontese cuisine) or to Capannette di Pey where a large historic hotel there will welcome (Carlo and his wife are really super nice) with excellent Piacenza cuisine Albergo Capannette di Pey, www.capannettedipei.it Piacenza province, Piacenza cuisine.

 2  day Capannette-Torriglia marks the Via del Sale

The second day of walking begins along another border: the one between Piedmont and Emilia, initially slightly downhill, first in the wooded area, then on the ridge overlooking the pastures below in a southerly direction. Once you have passed Monte Cavallaro and Carmo, the path continues on the dividing line between Liguria and Piedmont within the Antola park. The Antola Refuge has reopened but better call (January 2021) Reached the top of the mountain, or continue along the path staying low, continue steeply downhill towards Donetta and then Torriglia, where it is possible to stay overnight and take a nice ride in the village where I recommend you to buy the famous canestrelli and focaccia a Torriglia is exquisite, special sweets with spelled flour and cinnamon Super recommended Hotel della Posta the owner Mr. Pippo and his family have had this old hotel since 1906 in the town center and the food is very good, generous portions and excellent quality 010 944050

day 4 USCIO-Portofino park signpost VM

The B&B Uscio is right on the VM route, just above the large church of Uscio, in fact the FIE has signaled the creuza that leads from my structure to the VM (3 min walk) with 3 red dots. Then as soon as you get on the carriage road sign VM on the right and go up along the asphalted road. immediately follow the VM signs, always follow VM and walk half an hour on the asphalt following VM to reach Colonia Arnaldi, continue and always follow the VM signs and arrive at Passo Spinarola.

From Passo Spinarola, asphalt ends, and the journey begins, new signs of the Portofino Park with signs and new trail markers! Always remaining on our path, the VM path winds through the woods and you arrive at Passo del Gallo, from where you can observe the two Gulfs: Rapallo on the left and Recco on the right. The path continues without any problem, it is easy and well marked up to the crossroads that separates the road to Ruta di Camogli indicated by VM from that to Recco. (A triangle) .New variant for Rapallo towards Santa Maria Novella, the easiest compared to the Montallegro variant for Rapallo passing through the Manico del Lume, well signposted at Passo del Gallo

Shortly after you arrive on the paved road and turn left to reach Ruta. You arrive in the center in 10 minutes and go up the steps of the church of Ruta and the VM path becomes Ruta-San Fruttuoso, a wonderful and easy path (starting from Ruta and not from Ran Rocco which is more demanding) and you enter the Parco Di Portofino. From there to the summit of Monte di Portofino, then you can easily descend to Pietre Strette and then to Portofino or San Fruttuoso, where the clear water of the park will welcome you for a refreshing dip in the blue. Return by train from Camogli, Santa Margherita, Recco is recommended.