Description
The pedestrian route begins in the historic heart of Cavi Borgo. Alternatively, it is possible to leave from the train station, a few hundred meters away. From here, the path goes up the rugged promontory of Sant’Anna, following the trail sign consisting of a white and a red band placed side by side horizontally.
The Legends of Saint Anna
Once past the last houses of Cavi, the panorama opens up offering a breathtaking view of the Tigullio sea and the coast of Sestri Levante. The path, narrow and at times exposed, runs along the slope overlooking the sea, leading with a slight climb to the “Rocche di Sant’Anna”. Here, among the Mediterranean vegetation, there are the ruins of a chapel built between the 13th and 16th centuries on an even older place of worship. This fascinating place has inspired many legends over the centuries, some of which are still passed down by local inhabitants.
The Bridges of the Fico Valley
After a stop on the sheer cliff, it is possible to continue the descent towards Sestri Levante, following the trail sign with three red dots that indicate the route through the Valle del Fico. This winding valley is famous for the five stone bridges that span the stream. Built by the Republic of Genoa in the 18th century, these bridges are often, but erroneously, called “Roman bridges”. Although the Via “Aemilia Scauri” (now Via Aurelia) is not confirmed as the route that crosses the Valle del Fico, the remains of the road route suggest that it was an important route, traveled by carts. The five stone bridges, with their ancient construction techniques, probably date back to the end of the 18th century, as confirmed by documents from the Senate of the Republic of Genoa from 1610 and a charter from 1793.
The Descent to Sestri Levante
Once you reach the valley, past the campsite, the route continues along the Ancient Western Roman Way. Along the Via Aurelia, you finally reach the Sestri Levante railway station, from where you can return to Cavi Borgo. This itinerary not only offers an immersion in local history and legends, but also offers spectacular views of the Ligurian Riviera, making the excursion an unforgettable experience.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ITINERARY
- Views: Since the route is almost all on a side facing the sea, you can admire vast views of the Gulf of Tigullio, from Portofino to the nearby Baia delle Favole of Sestri Levante.
- History and Culture: The itinerary allows us to discover, in the midst of the scrub, the remains of the church of Sant’Anna and the ancient Roman route.
- Environment and nature: The Fico Valley has unfortunately suffered recurring fires and attacks by cochineal, a fearsome parasite of the maritime pine. These factors have prevented the repopulation of flora and fauna and facilitated erosive processes. There have been several restoration interventions on the plant cover, so that the area facing Sestri Levante has also become an educational opportunity to learn about the causes and damage of fires and possible remedies.
TIPS FOR HIKERS
- Equipment: Make sure you have the right equipment for mountain excursions, including trekking boots, clothing suited to the weather conditions and drinking water.
- Trail signs: Carefully follow the trail signs along the route to avoid getting lost, especially in less frequented areas.
- Respect for the Environment: Respect the natural environment and follow local regulations to ensure the conservation of the landscape and local flora and fauna.
In conclusion, the path between Cavi Borgo and Sestri Levante via the Rocche di Sant’Anna is a fairly accessible itinerary, with short stretches exposed without protection, which however offers a perfect synthesis of coastal Liguria between history and nature.
Technical info
Sign: 
Duration: 2,45 hours
Distance: 5,24 km
Height difference: 314 m
Difficulty: Turistic / Hiking
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