Cycle tourism. pedalling to get acquainted. Sassello. Passes of Liguria: routes and places of its hinterland

Transcription

1 Cycle tourism pedalling to get acquainted Sassello Cycle tourism itineraries to find out Orba, Erro and Bormida valleys, and the Natural Beigua Park Passes of Liguria: routes and places of its hinterland

2 Along the Alta Via path that from Giovo Ligure climbs to the Beigua Mountain top. On the background you can see the Monviso pyramid. The roman Rocchetta Cairo bridge, in Bormida valley. San Pietro dʼolba, village of Urbe. It is a four-route junction which is the starting point to climb to the Beigua Mountain from the North slope, and ascend to the Faiallo pass. Hereʼs a panoramic glimpse of the inhabited area of Ponzone. This village is famous for having a lot of wonderful noble residences, and its spectacular panoramas that you can enjoy.

3 3 Contents > Photo gallery > Links > Natural Beigua Park > Sassello > Pian del Sole Hotel > Cycle-tourism itineraries > Itinerary n. 1 The old Pontinvrea marquisate > Itinerary n. 2 Panoramic Ring of the Erro valley > Itinerary n. 3 Beigua Parkʼs Ring > Itinerary n. 4 High grounds of the Erro valley > Itinerary n. 5 Fondoferle Ring > Itinerary n. 6 Bormida and Osiglia lake valleys > Itinerary n. 7 Circular track of Giovo Ligure > Itinerary n. 8 Tiglieto Abbey along the Monferrato > Main climbs > Contacts pag. 2 pag. 4 pag. 5 pag. 6 pag. 7 pag. 8 pag. 9 pag. 10 pag. 11 pag. 12 pag. 13 pag. 14 pag. 15 pag. 16 pag. 17 pag. 19

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5 The Natural Regional Park of Beigua It is the widest regional park of Liguria, and is situated between Savona and Genoa provinces. Itʼs crossed by the Alta-Via-dei-Monti-Liguri hiking path. A path which covers an extent of 440 kilometres that from Ventimiglia (in Imperia province) reaches Ceparana (in La Spezia province). Itʼs also involved by a lane that winds through the mountains of Liguria along a 638-kilometre-long trekking itinerary, an entirely-cyclable track which crosses Liguria from the West to the East. 5 Pian d. Badia Tiglieto Deiva SASSELLO Giovo Ligure m.beigua Lerone The park is one of the richest-in-biodiversity Liguria areas, and includes three important state forests: Deiva, Lerone, and Tiglieto. The Park area is included in the global Geopark list, since it has a great deal of geologic findings that make it a rich place of research for all Earth Science scholars.

6 6 SASSELLO The village stretches both on the flanks and the top of a 405- meter-high hill, on the North side of the Giovo Ligure col, within the Regional Beigua Park. Its position is special indeed. It is about 20 kilometres from the coast, nevertheless itʼs included in a natural area having a lot of woods and water-courses. The Sassello area boasts of a long tourism tradition, a welcoming attitude that picks up from Liguria and Piedmont tradition. Really, itʼs a kind of boundary land between the two regions. People come here both for enjoying a relaxing and actually-uncontaminated environment, and scouting one of many paths that are situated in this natural protected area. The offer of services is very rich and detailed, being able to satisfy the most various demands. Cycle tourism, rambling, riding, and mountain-biking can take advantage of necessary documentation formed by leaflets and maps, and structures as well; such as Pian del Sole Hotel, at Sassello, the horse centre on the Giovo Ligure, and the Pontinvrea sport centre. Moreover, itʼs possible to book the Sherpa Bus service at the IAT office of Sassello, and get in touch with environment guides at the Drosera cooperative. Nevertheless, no only Nature: Sassello offers, to those are very fond of good food, a great sort of gastronomic specialities, and the additional touch made up of its well-known amaretti production.

7 7 Hotel Restaurant Sassello > 32 rooms with balcony, private bath-room, telephone, colour-tv > Lift - Conference hall - TV room > Wide garden and parking > Premises for cicles and a smallworkshop > Swimming pool with hydromassage (in the course of construction)

8 8 Itineraries All paths described in this mini-guide are ring-shaped, and have the Sassello village as a base, from where itʼs possible to range over a wide radius. The total extent of the eight itineraries is equal to 671 kilometres. Also the coast may be reached by a push on a pedal, and represents a worthwhile addendum to the typically-appenninic hinterland paths. Even the more challenging tracks arenʼt lacking, both for length and height, a very good ground of action for sportsmen who want to either program a training period or carry out an evaluation test only. It has been located a 30-kilometre circular track having a lower height. Therefore, itʼs a very smooth-running track that you can repeat many times in order to get used to pedal with higher gear ratios. Other itineraries that, in any case, have their starting point from places near Sassello may be reached by using the Sherpa Bus service, brought into operation just to help tourists move within the area. Rises The choice of the itinerary to be followed is also (and maybe above all) suggested by reckoning the length and the difference in height. The staying power, the long-distance endurance, is built up by progressively making longer the distance, and, if itʼs gradually acquired, it becomes a quality which you can rely on when the effort is getting harder. The rises are the second choice criterion, and, more in general, they are the reference parameters for bikers, and the real antagonist to be challenged. This short outline, along with some meaningful data, is worthwhile in the extent that it can help the choice of the cycle tourist or sportsman. A last note: a few years ago on these roads, and more exactly on the Beigua Mountain slopes, one of the mountain-classified lap of the Giro dʼitalia took place. That means... something!

9 9 The old Pontinvrea marquisate Place of starting and arrival point: Sassello 385 m ASL Minimum elevation: Spigno Monferrato 250 m ASL Maximum elevation: Giovo Ligure 516 m ASL Total lengh: km 68 Positive difference in height: 598 m A smooth-running itinerary which allows averages deserving all respect. The rise from Spigno to Pareto, even though it is interrupted by a short downhill stretch, has a constant slope. The undulated stretch from Mioglia to Ponte Erro is very speedy. Giovo Ligure m 516 difference 131 m Pontinvrea m 425 La Colla m 508 difference 83 m Giusvalla m 432 Girini m 456 difference 24 m Dego m 305 Spigno Monferrato m 250 Pareto m 476 difference 226 m Quota m 494 difference 18 m Mioglia m 349 Ponte Erro m 311 Quota m 427 difference 116 m Spigno:the old bridge Miogliola: San Lorenzoʼs Church

10 10 Panoramic Ring of the Erro valley Place of starting and arrival point: Sassello 385 m slm Minimum elevation: Isolabuona 240 m slm Maximum elevation: Bric Berton 775 m slm Total lengh: km 58 Positive difference in height: 946 m The track is recommended for its panoramic views, and the particular detail of the medieval village of Ponzone which may be reached through a short deviation. It has not-much-challenging rises; nevertheless, they give as a result a rathersignifi cant difference in height. Bric Berton m 775 difference 390 m Moretti m 746 Pian Castagna m 732 Cimaferle m 693 Ponzone (bivio) m 556 Isolabuona m 240 Malvicino m 420 difference 180 m Roboaro m 315 Pareto m 476 difference 161 m Quota m 494 difference 18 m Mioglia m 349 Quota m 468 difference 119 m Pontinvrea m 425 Giovo Ligure m 516 difference 91 m Ponzone:The village trapped on the hill top. Malvicino: The old lookout tower.

11 11 Beigua Parkʼs Ring Place of starting and arrival point: Sassello 385 m slm Minimum elevation: Celle Ligure e Varazze 5 m slm Maximum elevation: monte Beigua 1287 m slm Total lengh: km 131 Positive difference in height: 2697 m Giovo Ligure m 516 difference 131 m Il Salto m 337 Stella San Martino m 316 Celle Ligure m 5 Varazze m 5 Faje (bivio) m 440 difference 435 m Alpicella m 405 Monte Beigua m 1287 difference 882 m Pianpaludo m 857 San Pietro Olba m 526 p. Faiallo m 1061 difference 535 m p. Turchino m 532 Masone m 403 Rossiglione m 289 Crocetta m 626 difference 337 m Tiglieto m 505 Pian d. Badia m 360 San Pietro Olba m 526 difference 166 m La Carta m 737 difference 211 m Palo m 656 Sassello 385 m It is a suitable itinerary for skilled and trained climbers. The rise to get to the Beigua Mountain is a typical route that offers you amazing and panoramic glimpses. The Regina Pacis Sanctuary, on the top of the Beigua Mountain.

12 12 High grounds of the Erro valley Place of starting and arrival point: Sassello 385 m slm Minimum elevation: Bistagno 182 m slm Maximum elevation: Montechiaro Alto 530 m slm Total lengh: km 100 Positive difference in height: 763 m Itinerario turistico con caratteristiche di scorrevolezza che lo rendono oltremodo gradevole. Per gli sportivi, la possibilità di realizzare buone medie fi nali. Quota m 427 difference 42 m Ponte Erro m 311 Melazzo m 212 Bistagno m 182 Montechiaro Piana m 184 Montechiaro Alto m 530 difference 346 m Spigno Monferrato m 250 Dego m 305 difference 55 m Girini m 456 difference 151 m Giusvalla m 432 La Colla m 508 difference 76 m Pontinvrea m 425 Giovo Ligure m 516 difference 91 m A glimpse of Montechiaro Alto.

13 13 Fondoferle Ring Place of starting and arrival point: Sassello 385 m slm Minimum elevation: Fondoferle 283 m slm Maximum elevation: Bric Berton 775 m slm Total lengh: km 48 Positive difference in height: 666 m The track involves different aspect compared with the Erro valley; it is suitable both to the cycle tourist and a sportsman who wants to push on a pedal. Bric Berton m 775 difference 390 m Moretti m 746 Pian Castagna m 732 Cimaferle m 693 Fondoferle m 283 Ponte Erro m 311 difference 28 m Mioglia m 349 difference 38 m Quota m 468 difference 119 m Pontinvrea m 425 Giovo Ligure m 516 difference 91 m Bric Berton: rest equipped point and panoramic view to the Western Alps..

14 14 Bormida and Osiglia lake valley Place of starting and arrival point: Sassello 385 m slm Minimum elevation: Cortemilia 253 m slm Maximum elevation: Colle Baltera 804 m slm Total lengh: km 164 Positive difference in height: 1803 m A far-reaching itinerary that induces you to discover Bormida valleys, through the Beigua Park, the Langhe of Piana Crixia and the wonderful basin which contains the Osiglia lake. The Osiglia Lake. Giovo Ligure m 516 difference 131 m Pontinvrea m 425 Quota m 589 difference 164 m Ferriera m 564 Quota m 684 difference 120 m Altare m 398 Quota m 517 difference 59 m Bivio m 445 Colle Baltera m 804 difference 263 m Osiglia m 708 Micco m 510 Millesimo m 429 Cortemilia m 253 San Massimo m 599 difference 346 m Piana Crixia m 287 Dego m 305 difference 18 m Girini m 456 difference 151 m Quota m 735 difference 279 m Ferriera m 564 Quota m 589 difference 25 m Pontinvrea m 425 Giovo Ligure m 516 difference 91 m

15 15 Circular track of Giovo Ligure Place of starting and arrival point: Sassello 385 m slm Minimum elevation: Ponte Erro 311 m slm Maximum elevation: Giovo Ligure 516 m slm Total lengh: km 30 Positive difference in height: 290 m The modest necessary effort makes this track agreeable to the cycle tourist, but itʼs also suitable for training if you repeat it a lot of times as a circular track. Giovo Ligure m 516 difference 131 m Pontinvrea m 425 Quota m 468 difference 43 m Mioglia m 349 Ponte Erro m 311 Quota m 427 difference 116 m A panoramic view of the Giovo Ligure col from the Lodrino fort. The past strategic importance of the pass is proved by the presence of a complex of fortifications.

16 16 Tiglieto Abbey along with the Monferrato Place of starting and arrival point: Sassello 385 m slm Maximum elevation: Olbicella 315 m slm Quota massima: Bric Berton 775 m slm Total lengh: km 72 Positive difference in height: 812 m Between Liguria and South Piedmont this is an agreeable itinerary that involves both a site having a great historic importance, the Cistercian Tiglieto Abbey, and the soft Monferrato hills, which are a place where very valuable wines are produced. Palo m 656 difference 271 m La Carta m 737 difference 81 m San Pietro Olba m 526 Pian Badia m 360 Olbicella m 315 Cassinelle m 387 difference 72 m Bivio m 685 difference 298 m Moretti m 746 difference 61 m Bric Berton m 775 difference 29 m The Tiglieto Abbey, this is a Cistercian abbey which was built in The complex was redeveloped and now you can see monks who are living in it again.

17 17 Main climbs Varazze fraz. Alpicella m Beigua mountain 1287 m Lengh km 10,500 - Difference in height m Average slope 8,4% Varazze fraz. Pero m Beigua mountain m 1287 Lengh km 13,900 - Difference in height m Average slope 8,3% Spigno m Pareto m 476 Lengh km 8,500 - Difference in height m Average slope 2,8% Note: a short stretch downhill. Ponzone fraz. Fondoferle m Cimaferle m 693 Lengh km 4,000 - Difference in height m Average slope 10,3% Malvicino fraz. Isolabuona m Ponzone m 629 Lengh km 6,500 - Difference in height m Average slope 6% Urbe fraz. San Pietro Olba m Faiallo pass m 1061 Lengh km 12,000 - Difference in height m Average slope 4,5% Urbe fraz. San Pietro Olba m Beigua mountain m 1287 Lengh km 12,200 -Difference in height m Average slope 6,2% Rossiglione m Crocetta pass m 626 Lengh km 8,100 - Difference in height m Average slope 4,2% Tiglieto Pian Badia m Crocetta pass m 626 Lengh km 4,300 - Difference in height m Average slope 6,2% Montechiaro Piana m Montechiaro Alto m 530 Lengh km 5,000 - Difference in height m Average slope 6,9% Voltri (Mele Fondocrosa) m 30 - Turchino pass m 532 Lengh km 9,700 - Difference in height m Average slope 5,2%

18 18 Voltri (Mele Fondocrosa) m 30 - Faiallo pass m 1061 Total lengh km 20,200 - Lengh of rise km 19,100 Actual difference in heigh m Average slope 5,7% Savona Santuario (SP km 7) m Naso di Gatto col m 714 Lengh km 7,200 - Difference in height m Average slope 8,1% Finalborgo m 10 - Melogno pass m 1028 Lengh km 15,200 - Difference in height m Average slope 6,7% u Bibliography C. Zaccagnino, Dal passo dei Giovi al col di Tenda in mountain-bike 70 itineraries in West Liguria CDA Centro Documentazione Alpina, Torino, 1991 C. Zaccagnino, Dal passo dei Giovi al passo della Cisa in mountain-bike 45 itineraries in East Liguria CDA Centro Documentazione Alpina, Torino, 1993 C. Zaccagnino, Liguria: itinerari, curiosità, salite 40 cycle tourism itineraries CZ Edizioni, Genova, 1995 C. Zaccagnino, D. Silvestrin, Tutte le Alpi in mountain-bike From Trieste to Ventimiglia in 50 laps CDA Centro Documentazione Alpina, Torino, 1996 C. Zaccagnino, Traversata dei monti liguri in mountain-bike CZ Edizioni, Genova, 1997, 2000 C. Zaccagnino, Tre valli in bici: Orba, Erro, Bormida Mit dem Fahrrad durch drei Täler (German edition) Impressioni Grafiche, Acqui (Al), 2004

19 19 Contacts Pian del Sole Hotel Restaurant BikeHotel Via Pianferioso, Sassello (Sv) Tel. (+39) Fax (+39) u Drosera Environment guides Loc.Corona, 28/ Stella San Bernardo (Sv) Tel. (+39) mobile u Ente Parco del Beigua Via G.Marconi, 165 (Muvita) Arenzano (Ge) Tel. (+39) Fax (+39) info@parcobeigua.it u Claudio Zaccagnino Active tourism and documentation Salita San barnaba, Genova Tel/Fax (+39) mobile info@outdoorliguria.it

20 Passes of Liguria Cycle tourism Mountain-bike Trekking Routes and places of its hinterland C.Zaccagnino, Cycle tourism, 2008