Monte Castello, from Rapallo

Access

On leaving the A12 Rapallo toll station, park behind the station.

Introduction

The walk follows some beautifully preserved paving stones, having long been the main access and pilgrimage route to the religious structure of Montallegro, built in 1558. The summit of Monte Castello is decidedly singular... with its fortified cypress tree.

Description

You take the Rapallo - Montallegro cable car and get out of the cabin and climb up to the Montallegro Sanctuary at 612 metres. You go behind the building, turning right helped by the red FIE figures. One crosses a forest of centuries-old holm oaks, ignoring a descent that leads to the Tuia stream. Further on, leave behind the comfortable ridge that connects Montallegro and Chiavari to descend to the right, choosing the path that leads to Monte Zuccarello. We cut across the wooded slope with ups and downs, until we come to a handcrafted sign inviting us to go left along the variant of Monte Castello (near a votive pillar). The deviation to the summit of Zuccarello is not indicated on the signpost, but a path directs you, in a few minutes, to the summit, which is, however, largely covered by vegetation. Retracing one's steps, one retraces the 'Castello variant'. The path is well marked but, with two antecedents, forces one to lose a little altitude. The summit (666 m) is characterised by a solitary cypress tree, planted or growing spontaneously inside a stone construction reminiscent of the old fortifications of the past... We turn back along the red markings, rejoining the outward route and returning to the church complex for a well-deserved rest (approx. 2h15). From the forecourt, we descend to the terminus and then the wide track descends into the holm oak forest. Afterwards, the mule track loses altitude (geometric FIE symbols). You come out onto the tarmac, bending first to the left (via di Comega) and, after a few metres, to the right (salita Montallegro). Having passed the church of San Bartolomeo, proceed straight ahead. You enter via Don Minzoni and, in a short distance, there is the church of San Francesco. You are now in the centre of Rapallo and can go and retrieve your car. 

In summary. Dif. T/E - height difference +100 m -700 m approx. - 11 km for approx. 4h total plus all the breaks to see the various sights. Walking comfort: good, only sufficient in the section near Monte Castello. Best time: autumn to spring. Time: acceptable. Tour interest: medium/high 

If you want, here is the photo pdf file, with some other news:
http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/MonteCastello022.pdf

http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/year2022.htm 
http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/altre2022.htm  

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. The present text is purely indicative and not exhaustive. 

Info Hiking Section Cral Galliera: http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/esc.htm 
Trips 2022 at the link: http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/gite022.pdf  

Se volete ecco il file foto pdf, con un po’ di altre notizie:
http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/MonteCastello022.pdf

http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/anno2022.htm
http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/altre2022.htm  

NB: in caso di gita, verificare, sempre, con FIE, Cai, eventuale Ente parco o altre Istituzioni, pro loco, ecc., che non ci siano state variazioni che abbiano aumentato le difficoltà! Si declina ogni responsabilità. Il presente testo ha solo carattere puramente indicativo e non esaustivo. 

Info Sezione Escursionismo Cral Galliera: http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/esc.htm
gite 2022 al link: http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/gite022.pdf