Hiking

Apricale is located in the middle of a wonderful area for walkers. From easy strolls to  half-day or demanding whole day hikes to multi day trekking.

The easiest way to have a short introduction to Apricale, between 1 and 2 hours, takes you around a circle walk mainly on small roads.  Starting on the “provincial” road down towards Isolabona, we take the road on the right toward the restaurant “La Favorita” and we continue walking on the panoramic road, from where we can admire the village of Apricale from above with wooded hillsides behind. In spring, orchids and many other Mediterranean  flowers blossom. At S. Rocco church there is a way back down to the top part of the village along a narrow footpath. Alternatively continue on  to the Apricale/Bajardo main road where a right turn takes you back towards Apricale. The next right we can take we arrive at the cemetery and to Via Cavour, then on to the main piazza. Whereas, if we keep walking straight on, we get to the Tarocchi bar in the lower part of the village. This walk can also be done in the opposite direction.

A hike that follows the old mule trails, which is quite demanding (about a 300 m climb)  and takes us up to Perinaldo. Just below the chemist in Apricale, on the left, is the footpath (signposted in red and white) which goes down into the valley to the ruins of an old olive mill and the Roman stone bridge that crosses the  Merdanzo river. After the bridge we take the wide mule track toward Perinaldo, after about one hour and a half hours of a steep climb through the woods, we get to the outside of Perinaldo and great views back down to Apricale. In Perinaldo, Gaggian bar offers a gorgeous view down to the sea and welcome refreshments. An alternative way is to go left from the mule track after about 20 mins from the bridge to a church which is set in a flat area with large chestnut trees. Go left from the church to an access road which takes you to the Apricale to Perinaldo road, go right and you will be in Perinaldo in 30 mins. This route can be combined with the direct path for a  good half day circular hike.

An easy outing but for which you need a car, takes us, after about a one hour drive, to Mount Ceppo, after Bajardo. At Ghimbegna pass, we turn left toward Mount Ceppo-Langan. Once we get to Mount Ceppo there is a large parking  and a pic nic area. Here, we take the footpath which takes us in about 40 minutes to the top, at 1627 m, from where you can enjoy an incredible view towards the Ligurian Alps, French Alps, the sea and the “riviera” towns (in particularly clear days you can also see Corsica).

Another walk starting from Bajardo is the Balcony Path to Perinaldo along the ridge of the mountain past M. Bignone. This is a beautiful path but is too far in one day in from Apricale, unless you want to use 2 cars. A simpler way to do part of this walk is to drive from Apricale to Perinaldo and on towards  San Romolo, where before the tunnel on the ridge there is a parking and where the footpath starts.

A favourite place of many people is Rio Barbaira, near Rocchetta Nervina (only 9 Km from Apricale). In the imposing canyons of steep rocks over 100 m high in summer it’s possible to bathe in the fresh pools of Barbaira river. From here, several long footpaths take us up to Gouta’s gorge passing Ponte Pau, Monte Abellio  or from Monte Morgi to  Isolabona. Rochetta is the starting point of the multi day Alta Via high Way route. On the way back to Rocchetta, I recommend a stop at  Ristorante Gentile, where you’ll find fine fish dishes of Ligurian cuisine.

Here are some other interesting proposals:

Pigna  awaits for you with its way of the small chapels walk to Chiesa della Madonna di Passoscio, also called Annunziata. You start from the centre of Pigna (280 m s/m ) towards the North, after a stone church, and segment of cemented road, you follow Via Crucis until the destination (670 m s/m), in a three-hours walk. This route will also take you up to the Alta Via and various day circular walks or multi day hiking possibilities.  

From Colle Melosa 1540m (about 1 hour drive from Apricale)  paths  lead you to the ‘little dolomites’, Mount Pietravecchia and Toraggio 2038 m. A hard 6-7 hours of walking and 495 m  altitude change will take you around these mountains passing the French and Italian slopes back to your car in Colle Melosa. There is also a high quality mountain refuge here if you want to prolong your stay in the mountains.

Monte Bignone.

From Gouta  (which is approx. 1 hour drive from Apricale) a left turn before Pigna you can hike to the Head of the Alps with fantastic views down to the sea in 5 hours, or walk to Torragio from the opposite side as from Colle Melosa.

In Val Roya a trip to St. Dalmas de Tende from where you turn left up to the Valley of Marvels with its thousands of prehistoric rock drawing. Casterino in winter, offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sleigh rides with dogs. A trip that would require qt least one overnight stay form Apricale.

Le Corbusier  path encircling Cap Martin is a flat comfortable walk along the sea passing prestigious villas and gardens with views of Monaco. 2-3 hours. Starting from the edge of Menton.

As you can see, Apricale can be a starting point for many different types of hikes for all ages and abilities.

More info

Weekly schedule of day or half day hikes throughout the region on Thursdays through the spring, summer and  autumn with naturalistic guide Diego Rossi.

See http://www.crestediconfine.com/ for program ( in Italian) and lots of beautiful photos.

 

Robert West ( resident English contact for  suggested itineraries, hiking maps and organiser of group walks)

e.mail : rjc.west@gmail.com   skype : robert-west

tel: 3478547979

Gerd Nieschalk ( Part time German resident contact with lots of walking experience in the area)
e.mail: genie.1a@web.de
tel. 0049 151 152 675 82