Monte Carmo Trails

After months of planning in looking for the most technical trails to combine with mechanized ascents to maximize the short February days, we set off for a three-day trip to Liguria. The first day we did it in the area of Loano and Mt. Carmo, spurred on also by the video posted on this site at Christmas time. The departure is from Loano with Finale Ligure Freeride transfer that takes us to Tetto della Madonna (830 meters) from where we take the forest road to Giogo di Giustenice (1,146 meters). From there, a rideable trail starts and arrives at a crossroads where the Sentiero delle Scalette, the Sentiero dei Falchi and the Sentiero dei Cinque start. We take the latter up to the summit of Mount Carmo (1,389 meters) on a mostly rideable trail. Having taken the customary photos on the summit of Carmo after admiring the superb landscape that sweeps from the Alps to the sea and Corsica, we begin the descent on a sometimes uneven surface until we reach the Sella del Carmo and then the Amici del Carmo Refuge, which we will also see again in the afternoon. From here starts the X-RED descent, never very challenging that we follow until Cà du Fò. From here starts San Pietro Climb that through some ups and downs takes us through a path marked by large pipes for the transport of water to the Abbey of San Pietro in Varatella or San Pietro dei Monti (890 meters). Now begins a very technical and beautiful stretch of descent ( SAN PIETRO descent), an ancient path that winds between technical hairpin bends with a rocky bottom at times paved, constantly overlooking the Varatella valley, which descends to the small church of San Pietrino (477 meters). We, on the other hand, once we reach Casa del Prato, abandon it and turn right to take the technical DARI descent, which we follow to the end or rather to the village of the same name (100 meters). The Dari is also very technical with switchbacks towards the end of the trail that require use of nose press.

The transfer is waiting for us for the second ascent from Dari (100 meters) to the Pian delle Bosse or Castagna parking lot (600 meters). From the parking lot we climb first on a dirt road and then on a trail that, after passing a rocky notch and crossing a small bridge over a stream (Ponte dei Martinetti), arrives at Rifugio Pian delle Bosse (841 meters), a beautiful refuge that enjoys a truly spectacular view, a view that then as we climb the ridge trail will become truly unique. From the refuge to get to the Carmo saddle (1,315 meters for 400 meters of positive elevation gain) we ascend the Sentiero delle Scalette, very steep and scenic with many rocky sections to be tackled by pushing bikes. We arrive back the Amici del Carmo refuge where we enter to warm up from the wind that has completely frozen us. From here we set off again for the descent of the KARMA TRAIL the iconic descent of the area, 8 km for 1,100 meters of elevation gain for a technical and complete trail, steep, narrow and with a particularly rocky bottom, ideal for those who like technical trails. The first part is undemanding but becomes superb in the final part and well-maintained in the final part. The descent ends in Verzi (160 meters). We would have liked to go to do the Holy Staircase, but we miss the climb and by now the sunset is upon us, so we reluctantly return home after a superb day spent on unique trails that we will hardly forget.