STAGE 1
From Varzi (PV) to Capanne di Cosola (AL)
WAYMARKS:
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From Varzi to Monte Chiappo
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From Monte Chiappo to Capanne di Cosola
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From the Piazza del Mercato of Varzi (m 416 above sea level), we cross the bridge of the River Staffora and turn left on to the dirt road, continuing southwards along the river bank for about 800m, then turning left at the crossroads. The trail is well marked with red-white-red arrows. The dirt road turns into a path that starts with a steep uphill slope of rocks and stone steps, then returns to an unpaved road that takes us to the small village of Monteforte (m 697 ASL). At the drinking trough we turn left onto a tarred road leading slightly downhill, before taking a dirt stone road to the left going uphill, (called "Sentiero Del Grillo" N°036 Monteforte – Bosmenso) and after 10mins we reach crossroads.
We leave the road going to Bosmenso village; continuing uphill we turn right into a lovely chestnut wood, and, after about 20mins, we arrive at S.P. n°91 route Varzi-Castellaro di Cella. We turn left on to the tarred road and after roughly 2,5km we arrive at Castellaro (m 760 ASL). At the crossroads to Casanova Staffora, we turn right continuing on the tarred road, after 50m we turn left for another 50m. Now it becomes a dirt and stone trail. We walk to the first crossroads where we turn right and immediately meet the second crossroads, where we turn left. We go uphill through the woods until we come to a tank of the aqueduct; after a few turns of the trail, we find a steep, narrow path that goes up through the woods of beech trees.
After about 15mins, we arrive at crossroads where we turn right and continue on the dirt road for 200m, passing on our right a small basin of water. We continue on the path, straight up the hill until we reach a flat dirt road.
We leave the road going to Bosmenso village; continuing uphill we turn right into a lovely chestnut wood, and, after about 20mins, we arrive at S.P. n°91 route Varzi-Castellaro di Cella. We turn left on to the tarred road and after roughly 2,5km we arrive at Castellaro (m 760 ASL). At the crossroads to Casanova Staffora, we turn right continuing on the tarred road, after 50m we turn left for another 50m. Now it becomes a dirt and stone trail. We walk to the first crossroads where we turn right and immediately meet the second crossroads, where we turn left. We go uphill through the woods until we come to a tank of the aqueduct; after a few turns of the trail, we find a steep, narrow path that goes up through the woods of beech trees.
After about 15mins, we arrive at crossroads where we turn right and continue on the dirt road for 200m, passing on our right a small basin of water. We continue on the path, straight up the hill until we reach a flat dirt road.
Going to the right for about 400m, we will come to a curve where we turn left and go up, still among beech trees. The road is steep and takes us to an open field in the middle of beeches and fir trees. We meet up with a wide dirt road that, turning to our right, will take us in about 30mins to Pian della Mora (m1380 ASL). Here we find a camping site with a picnic area, there are crossroads which to the left take us to the village of Cegni (trail n°004). Keeping straight southward, we reach a grass summit and immediatly we find the Old Sea Route (Via del Mare - path n°105) which is an alternative trail from the town of Tortona that takes us to Portofino; for a very long way it is the same as the Old Salt Route.
We have now arrived at the ridge between the valleys of Curone and Staffora, and we continue through green fields, beech and larch trees. Passing by Monte Boglelio (m1492 ASL) we reach Monte Bagnolo (m1550 ASL) where there is another small camping site. We continue along the ridge for about 15mins until we arrive at Colle della Seppa (m 1485 ASL), where there are important crossroads. The Salt trail goes along the ridge heading southwards, going to Monte Garave (m1547 ASL) outflanking Monte Rotondo (m1568 ASL), taking a steep up-hill trail we arrive at Monte Chiappo (m 1701 ASL): it is the highest point on the route. On the top there is a statue of St. Joseph the Carpenter; in addition it is an excellent panoramic point giving us a 360° view of the Po Valley, the Alps and the Ligurian sea, it is also the meeting point of three regions: Piedmont, Lombardia and Emilia. On its summit, there is a care-taken refuge with a chair-lift connected with Pian del Poggio hamlet (m 1320 ASL). Continuing along the ridge, the route descends quickly and in 30mins we arrive at the villages of Capanne di Cosola (m 1496 ASL) or Capannette di Pej (m 1463 ASL).
We have now arrived at the ridge between the valleys of Curone and Staffora, and we continue through green fields, beech and larch trees. Passing by Monte Boglelio (m1492 ASL) we reach Monte Bagnolo (m1550 ASL) where there is another small camping site. We continue along the ridge for about 15mins until we arrive at Colle della Seppa (m 1485 ASL), where there are important crossroads. The Salt trail goes along the ridge heading southwards, going to Monte Garave (m1547 ASL) outflanking Monte Rotondo (m1568 ASL), taking a steep up-hill trail we arrive at Monte Chiappo (m 1701 ASL): it is the highest point on the route. On the top there is a statue of St. Joseph the Carpenter; in addition it is an excellent panoramic point giving us a 360° view of the Po Valley, the Alps and the Ligurian sea, it is also the meeting point of three regions: Piedmont, Lombardia and Emilia. On its summit, there is a care-taken refuge with a chair-lift connected with Pian del Poggio hamlet (m 1320 ASL). Continuing along the ridge, the route descends quickly and in 30mins we arrive at the villages of Capanne di Cosola (m 1496 ASL) or Capannette di Pej (m 1463 ASL).
