Montallegro e Anchetta classica

Classic Tigullio itinerary, you can start from any of the coastal towns, in this case the departure is from Chiavari, follow the Aurelia road to Rapallo, at the first traffic circle, on the left you will have the castle on the sea, take a right and then keep right in the underpass under the railway along the river, then take a left on the bridge and after it a right, follow for San Maurizio and the sanctuary of Montallegro, here begins the asphalt climb that takes you first to San Maurizio dei monti, where you will take a right for the sanctuary, and then finally to Montallegro. Along the last few hairpin bends there are tracks that start from the trail, in case you want to lengthen the ride, taking you back down to San Maurizio. In case you are allergic to the climb there is a cable car available, but inquire about opening times. When you reach the end of the paved ascent you will see the arrival of the cable car on the right, you go up to the left and take the avenue to the shrine, before the steps take a left where you will find a drinking fountain and bathrooms. Pass under the vault and take the cobblestone uphill for a short ramp, you will find yourself at the entrance to the sanctuary's upper forecourt, go to the forecourt and enjoy the view of Rapallo and Portofino.

Now take the path to the right that goes around the church and takes you to the Pilgrim's House, the path from easy paved becomes a wide single track characterized by fixed stones and dirt. When you reach Mount Castello take the only track that goes to the left and that will take you to one of the most spectacular passages in all of Tigullio, technical on rock with views of Zoagli and the Ligurian Sea. The trail re-enters the woods and proceeds slightly downhill halfway up the hill until you reach Colletta, after the votive shrine take the path to the right that takes you to the asphalt, at this point go back up to the restaurant il Galletto. At this point you have several descent possibilities, in this itinerary you join the classic PS of the Anchetta that starts from the final hairpin bend of the asphalt part to the left that leads to the church of Maxena with a typical Ligurian creuza, to be avoided in wet weather but that if you like steps and the technical will conquer you, that from the church of Maxena leads to Rostio, where you take the asphalt and return to Chiavari. On the Anchetta trail the only fork to pay attention to comes after a fast part next to a dry stone wall where the forest thins out, you have to take the path to the left that descends with a good number of hairpin bends on the hillside, at the clearing you have to take a right to take you on trail to the Maxena church, skirt it to the left and take the creuza to the left at the end of the fence.