SP_09 Anello di Varese Ligure

from the square in front of the castle (353 m) walk along the provincial road as far as the Crovana Stream (tributary of the Vara River). Following sign trail 111 you walk on the narrow pavement along the left side as far as the humpback bridge ”del Grecino” which you cross. Here starts the climb on a road which soon becomes paved and, following the white and red trail sign you walk through gardens, pastures and orchards. Just before the hamlet of Forcelle (752 m) turn off the paved road and follow a mule-track. Walking uphill, looking towards the west you see the outline of Monte Zatta, with its typical flat summit covered with beech trees and Monte Penna. After 2.5 Km you arrive at Passo Chiapparino (994 m; pass) located on the “Alta Via dei Monti Liguri” (High Way of Ligurian Mountains, AVML). From here you change direction, proceeding eastwards. After Passo di Pianpintardo you reach and walk beside a huge paleo-landslide known as “Libia di Pecorara”. Carry on walking thorough pastures and beech woodls you reach Passo Cento Croci (1107 m; pass). Afer a short stretch in the wood you reach a little paved road which leads to Passo Caranza. Once you bypass a little ridge four wind mills of Passo della Cappelletta stand in front of you. This is the first wind farm in Liguria. From Passo Caranza Pass, as indicated by the AVML trail sign, you go southwards, walking downhill on a little road which leads to Caranza. From Caranza the bus (www.atcesercizio.it) will take you back to Varese Ligure.