Along the Rio Tanarello

Introduction

Tranquil walk and nothing more, given the heat and the low altitude one could not expect more. It should be noted that, being largely a dirt track, a few motorbikes passed by and up to the Sciairante bridge (or Case dell'Isola) it is also possible to encounter a few cars. The whole thing, however, while not the best, is not at all frequent (a couple of motorbikes and a few parked cars, nothing more). Definitely of interest, for another time, is the climb up to the little church of San Bernardo.

Description

There are a few signs suggesting a descent, skirting a handmade football pitch (the path is occasionally marked with two red marks, but, beware! in the area (province of Imperia) many paths are marked this way, so be careful as this could easily lead to confusion...). Further on, you cross a beech forest (briefly) and continue to lose altitude until you cross a first stream on a small bridge. Shortly after, you come to the much more elegant Bridge over the Tanarello (1042m), testimony to the ancient importance of the place for moving and connecting trade routes. We continue, ignoring the signs for Valcona, and soon cross a stream until we come to the Tanarello stream, which will accompany us for the entire walk. We ignore a few detours to the left until we come to a beautiful clearing, where a camp with many tents is set up. We arrive at Case dell'Isola (950 m), from where a track climbs up to the little church of S.Bernando, located at 1351 metres. But it is hot, so we forego the diversions, indicated by a battered yellow sign, which would take about 2h (a/r). We continue on and, as soon as the stream is closer to the path, we descend to take a break for lunch at one of the many little beaches available, amid noisy water games (further on you can descend even more easily and in fact you will notice some people relaxing by the water). After the break, proceed to the Sciairante bridge (937 m). Here you could return (if you only had one car) in the direction of Colla del Fieno, in about 60 minutes and a difference in altitude of 360 metres, along the rio della Fonda (and then on asphalt to the right, also with the AV symbols for another about 4.5 km - another good hour - to San Bernardo di Mendatica - caution here because the carriageway is a little narrow in places and you must pay the utmost attention to passing cars...). Or climb up next to the sacred shrine (with a series of steps made of wooden logs), climbing a difference in height of about 100 metres, through a cool beech wood until you reach Arma Cornarea, an easy cave that you can visit, provided you have a light source and be careful of the somewhat slippery ground. Once you have finished visiting the cavity, retrace your steps and from the bridge continue downhill until you find the vehicle parked in the morning quite quickly. Development of the route: San Bernardo di Mendatica - Ponte sul Tanarello (45 minutes) / Ponte sul Tanarello - Case dell'Isola (60 minutes) / Case dell'Isola - Ponte Sciairante (40 minutes) / deviation for Arma Cornarea (40 minutes A/R) / Ponte Sciairante - Arrival Pic Nic Area (20 minutes); 2h15m - 2h45m for crossing (calmly) 40 minutes A/R for cave deviation 2h for A/R Chiesa San Bernardo (hypothesis, since it was not done...). Total height difference of about -360m (+ 100m for the cave and + 400m approx. for S. Bernardo) Information At the end tour in Garessio with some shopping (including the delicious meat from the Bertola butcher's shop, Via Federici, 14, tel. 0174 81047 ) and in the evening the delicious white polenta of the Alpini.... Gastronomic information Saracen polenta is an ancient dish exclusive to Garessio and surrounding areas. Prepared with local products such as potatoes, buckwheat - whose flour was originally the only one used -, wheat flour, pecorino and parmesan cheese, butter, cream, leeks, dried mushrooms. . .