From the Sanctuary of Montallegro to Chiavari
Introduction
Beautiful route, not very strenuous and almost all downhill, but still classifiable as medium difficulty given the type of path. The views are extensive and well worth the trip...
.Description
By cable car (5.5 E. single ride, March 2011), you ascend to an altitude of 600 metres in 7 minutes (alternatively, almost 2 hours' walk following the two red crosses, medium-low difficulty, starting from the Via Don Minzoni area). Once down, you can see the Margherita refuge on Mount Pegge in the distance on the left. From the sanctuary, there is a stupendous panorama towards Rapallo, Santa Margherita and Portofino. Behind the building, there are several paths: you turn right onto the two empty red squares and onto Viale Mons G. Leone Ceria, passing the hotel-restaurant Il Pellegrino. After 40', you leave the red square, which descends to Rapallo, and pass on the northern slope (the fork is not exactly obvious...). You can see the snow on the Aiona and, in another 30', you reach the votive pillar at La Colla at 525 metres. Shortly after the Monte Anchetta pass, at 474 m (another 30' or so), you can take a break for lunch; nearby there is a characteristic restaurant, the Galletto, where you can have coffee (or even a full meal). Afterwards, the descent becomes steeper and poles are useful. Another 30' and you arrive at a characteristic wooden house, recovered by Mr Marcello. Next, you can see the Ramacelo ridge, Mount Zatta and in the background you can see Chiavari. There are many well-preserved dry-stone walls, with some side parachutes also in evidence. In the lower part, the signs are not very evident, but the Fie path is in common with a Cai path, somewhat anonymously marked with a red-white flag (without numbers or letters). In 1h, you reach the church of Maxena and in another 25' to Sanpierdicanne, where you end up on asphalt between the houses (very careful of cars!). However, it still takes another 30' to Chiavari station, where you take the train back.
If you want some photos at the links
http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/altre2011.htm
direct link
http://digilander.libero.it/mmter/montallegro011.pdf
NB: in the case of an excursion, always check with FIE, Cai, any park authority or other institutions, pro loco, etc, that there have been no changes that have increased the difficulties! No liability is accepted. This text is purely indicative and not exhaustive.