Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
R154
Caprauna » Colle di Nava
|
3h10 |
10.8 km
|
372 m
|
497 m
This trail is undemanding. Apart from an initial uphill stretch from Caprauna to the Madonna Guarneri chapel the trail is wide and comfortable. The landscape is somewhat harsh initially with many limestone outcrops. But after the Caprauna pass the scenery is milder, being mostly fields. Along the way are two beautiful isolated chapels, the abovementioned Madonna Guarneri and the chapel of San Bernardo d'Armo. This leg is practicable by mountain bike, too from Caprauna to Colle di Nava.
From the Caprauna church square, walk under the porticoes between the oratory and the grocer’s shop to the local road. Cross the road to follow the trail towards the San Bartolomeo pass. Follow the pass to a fork, and take the left-hand path to Madonna Guarneri. The trail heads westwards, crossing over the road twice, and then veers right to the Madonna Guarneri chapel (1265m). Not far above the church is a track. Follow the track heading left or south west. After about 1km the track leads back to the road. Follow it as it climbs for about 1.5 km to the Caprauna pass (1379m), on the other side of which is the region of Liguria. From the Caprauna pass the descent is initially via a road, and then a shortcut leads off to the left. This leads to the Prale pass (1258m), atop a major ridge. A track leads downwards from here towards the west, cutting through pastures facing the sea. At the Bocchino di Semola pass (1102m) the track continues, circling Mount Ariolo’s south east flank, to the little San Bernardo d'Armo church (1057m). A road then leads to a minor pass, and the trail then continues through woods to the Nava pass. From the Nava pass, follow the road north east for about 1 km and, at the fork, turn right towards the little church of San Bernardo d'Armo. From here the road heads north east and, at the next fork, turn left onto a track that heads upwards again. At the Prale pass, the road climbs to the right and a shortcut leads to the Caprauna pass. Follow the road down for about 1.5 km and then take the track on the left. After about 1 km, a track turns off to the right to the church of Madonna Guarneri. From here, a trail cuts across the road twice before reaching Caprauna.
(Regione Liguria)
Natural and cultural heritage
Most of the trail runs along on the side of the ridge that is nearest the sea and the scent of the nearby Mediterranean is in the air. Along this first part of the stage, between Madonna Guarneri and the Caprauna pass, the walker passes under a sizeable, chalky cliff face (Rocca l'Arma) which has been set up with a number of routes for climbers. Between the Caprauna pass and San Bernardo d'Armo, the route is mostly through high pastures, with attractive views over the Arroscia valley. Upon reaching the Nava pass which marks the end of the stage, there are fortifications of imposing dimensions. These were built at the end of the nineteenth century to control access to the road that links Imperia to the Vale of Tanaro on the plains of the Piedmont. (Regione Liguria)
Other long-distance trails and alternative routes
From the Caprauna pass to the Nava pass, the trail follows the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri. Alternative: from the Bocchino di Semola gap, one can climb west on the grassy watershed and reach, in about 20 min., the vast top of Monte Ariolo (1221 m) which offers a splendid view. From the top, go down on the south-western ridge along a dirt track, and reach the main trail between San Bernardo d'Armo and the Nava pass.
Useful topographic maps
3 (Marguareis-Mongioie) ~ ASF (1:25.000)
15 (Albenga-Alassio-Savona) ~ IGC (1:50.000)
Useful guidebooks
Alta Via dei Monti Liguri ~ Unioncamere Liguri (ISBN )
Alte Vie della Liguria, Andrea Parodi ~ Parodi Editore (ISBN 88-88873-04-X)
Alpi Liguri (Guida dei Monti d'Italia) ~ CAI/TCI (ISBN )
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.
Elisabeth - 2016-11-22
Tracé modifié : la VA passe par le refuge Armata et rejoint la route directement au col de Caprauna. Là il y a une erreur : pas de sentier à gauche mais un à droite, balisé AV, beaucoup plus bas sur la route, qui descend dans la forêt, traverse la route et se poursuit par un large chemin d'exploitation passant sous deux éoliennes et menant à San Bernardo d'Armo.
Automatic translation
[Google]
Modified route: the VA passes through the Armata refuge and joins the road directly to the Caprauna pass. There is an error: no trail on the left but one on the right, signposted AV, much lower down the road, which goes down into the forest, crosses the road and continues with a wide road running under two wind turbines and leading to San Bernardo d'Armo.
Je suis venu d'Ormea à Colla di Nava en passant par le sentier A15, et le Monte Armetto.
Etape luxueuse, sans avoir réservé j'ai eu une chambre à l'hotel Lorenzina ; 1/2 Pension 70€ (un peu cher, mais çà vaut le prix).
Menu, Carpaccio de bœuf aux truffes, raviolis au lapin, sanglier polenta, et glace, vin... cuisine raffinée et excellente. Rien d'étonnant qu'il y ait du monde...
Automatic translation
[Google]
I came from Ormea to Colla di Nava via the A15 trail, and Monte Armetto. Step luxurious, without a reservation I had a room at the hotel Lorenzina; 1/2 € 70 Pension (a bit pricey, but worth the price here). Menu Beef carpaccio with truffles, ravioli with rabbit, boar polenta, and ice wine ... refined and excellent cuisine. No wonder that there is in the world ...
|
3h10 |
10.8 km
|
372 m
|
497 m
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.