S.I.C. M. Saccarello-M. Frontè, M. Gerbonte, M. Toraggio-M. Pietravecchia
Key to symbols
Stage point (start or end of stage)
Intermediate accommodation possibility
Summit
Pass
Town, village
Other locality
Catering
Doctor
Chemist
Bakery / grocery
Hardware / sports shop
Post
Bank / cash dispenser
Train
Coach
Taxi
Open automobile access
A
Tarred or paved road
B
Dirt track
C
Mule trail
D
Mountain trail
E
Equipped trail (cables, ladders)
F
No trail
Stroll / tourism (broad, non-exposed trail)
Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
R156
San Bernardo di Mendatica » Colla Melosa
|
8h30 |
24 km
|
1262 m
|
978 m
The trail climbs among pastureland along the ridge of Mount Saccarello which, as the highest peak in the region of Liguria, affords the most stunning views. It then turns southwards, towards the Mediterranean, along the border between Italy and France, through beautiful conifer woods. This stage is long, but it can be divided into two parts by following the alternative route down to Realdo where there is a hut. This leg is practicable by mountain bike, too from San Bernardo di Mendatica to Colla Melosa.
Follow the red and white signs of the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri trail. At the San Bernardo di Mendática crossroads, the road to the left leads to Mendática and the road to the right leads to Mónesi. Take the road in the middle to the Garezzo pass. After about 3 km take the trail on the right, which climbs through pastures to the Frontè pass (2081m). The trail circles Mount Frontè to the west, then climbs along the ridge, commanding splendid views, to the Sanremo hut (2054m). Follow the ridge past the statue of the Redeemer, passing the peak of Mount Saccarello on the left (a few minutes’ climb away) to the Saccarello pass (2145m). From here, the trail leads downwards, towards the south, into French territory. The trail continues along the ridge that marks the border to the Collardente pass (B. Fraches, 1599m). A track on the French side of the border leads through beautiful larch woods to the Bassa di Sanson pass (East) (1680m). Taking the track on the right along the ridge between Argentina and Roia, the trail meets the road from Realdo (Bassa di Sanson (West), (1694m). Follow the road to another crossroads. There is no need to take the road to La Brigue and to the Colla Melosa pass. Follow the trail in the middle, through the larches (yellow signs). The trail climbs through the woods, slightly to the right of the ridge, then crosses a field and continues along the top of a ridge. Here the trail meets the road. Follow the road for a few dozen yards to a crossroads. Ignore the roads to either side and head up the trail in the centre, along the ridge (yellow signs). Past a former barracks, now in ruins, turn left along the trail that climbs along the Argentina Valley side to a grass-covered pass at the top of the ridge (Col de l'Afel pass, 1899m). Take the track on the left that cuts across the eastern slopes of Mount Cima di Marta, to Bassa di Marta (1956m) where there are more ruined barracks. Follow the road south for about 1.5km, then turn off onto a trail (red and white signs) that goes through the Porta Bertand pass (1953m) and then descends through larches to the green Sella d'Agnaira pass (B. Vallette, 1880m). The route now leaves the Alta Via trail and heads left along a track on the southern slopes of Mount Grai. After a few hundred metres, take the bridleway on the right down to the Colla Melosa pass. From the Melosa pass, follow the road as it climbs northwards for about 300 metres, and then take the bridleway that turns right up the southern slopes of Mount Grai until it meets the road again, just below the Grai hut. Turn left onto the road and follow it a short way to the Sella d'Agnaira pass. Take the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri trail on the right, that climbs to the Porta Bertrand pass. The route continues northbound along tracks and trails, along the ridge that divides the Argentina valley and the Roia valley. At the Collardente pass, a trail leads up Mount Saccarello. It veers right, still on the ridge, to the Sanremo hut and the Frontè Pass. From here, the descent is on the Arroscia Valley side of the mountain, first along a trail, through pastures, then on a road to the San Bernardo di Mendática pass. (Regione Liguria)
Natural and cultural heritage
From the high ridge between the Frontè and Saccarello mountain peaks the walker has stunning views over the Alps to the sea, (on the clearest days stretching all the way to Corsica). The ridge is virtually horizontal at over 2000 metres of altitude, but the two sides of it could not be more different. The southern face plunges into the Argentina valley in sheer drops and rocky ledges whilst the northern slope is a gentle descent into the Tanarello valley in a series of rolling pastures. On the ridge between the Sanremo hut and Mount Saccarello is the huge statue of the Redeemer, built between 1901 and 1902 and unveiled in the presence of thousands. A ski lift takes skiers from the Mónesi resort up the northern face to just below the statue. The entire area is protected as part of the "M. Saccarello - M. Frontè" nature reserve. The area between the Collardente and Melosa passes contains magnificent conifer woods: Sanson woods on the French side and the Gerbonte national forest on the Italian side ("Monte Gerbonte" nature reserve). The stage takes the walker past numerous reminders of military achievement: roads, tracks, fortifications and barracks, all built before World War II to defend the Italian border against a possible French attack. (Regione Liguria) This part of Via Alpina favours the line of the ridge to the forest track on Italian territory, and seems to hesitate before taking the plunge down towards the French Mediterranean in the next stage. It dawdles along this borderland ridge, alternating between ascents and descents, and circumventing the main rises in particularly wooded landscape, only marked by the presence of numerous farmland, or apparently strategic, tracks. The sheer slopes with great differences in altitude offer a panoramic view over the two underlying valleys in both France and Italy, where the trail leads to the destination of this stage, the Allavena Hut. (Sara Zeidler, Gilles Chappaz, Grande Traversée des Alpes)
Other long-distance trails and alternative routes
Alta Via dei Monti Liguri. Between Mt. Frontè and Mt. Saccarello the stage also follows the Via Marenca trail, an old route linking Imperia and Limone Piemonte. Alternative: to divide this stage into two, from the Collardente pass there is a trail down to Realdo where there is a hut. From here climb to Bassa di Sanson where there is a trail that cuts straight across the winding road.
Useful topographic maps
14 (San Remo, Imperia, Montecarlo) ~ IGC (1:50.000)
Useful guidebooks
Alta Via dei Monti Liguri ~ Unioncamere Liguri (ISBN )
Alte Vie della Liguria, Andrea Parodi ~ Parodi Editore (ISBN 88-88873-04-X)
Alpi Liguri (Guida dei Monti d'Italia) ~ CAI/TCI (ISBN )
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.
Andreas - 2022-09-21
Bei der Sella della Valletta (Nähe Rif. Sanremo) gibt es seit 2019 ein neu eröffnetes Rifugio "La Terza" http://rifugiolaterza.it mit Übernachtungsmöglichkeit.
Sehr lohnenswert ist auch der Abstieg vom Passo di Collardente ins pittoreske Bergdorf Realdo, wo man im gemütlichen Rifugio Realdo übernachten kann. http://realdovive.it/rifugio/
Am nächsten Morgen steigt man über Borniga und Il Pin auf zur Baisse de Sanson, wo man wieder die offizielle Via Alpina erreicht.
Berta - 2018-08-31
Das Refugio Allavena am Colle Melosa war sehr angenehm, wir waren im oberen Stock eines 14 Betten Lagers alleine, dadurch sehr geräumig. Abendessen war gut, genauso das Frühstück. In der Bat gegenüber gibt es WiFi. Am nächsten Morgen ca.40min Aufstieg was am Vortag abgestiegen wurde.
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The Refugio Allavena at Colle Melosa was very pleasant, we were on the upper floor of a 14 bed camp alone, so very spacious. Dinner was good, as was breakfast. In the Bat opposite there is WiFi. The next morning about 40min ascent which was the day before.
Elisabeth - 2016-11-22
Attention ! le descriptif ne correspond pas aux points de passage listés plus bas : il ne faut pas suivre la route du col de Garezzo mais monter tout droit par la AV en direction du refuge San Remo via Margueria Garlenda. Ce nouveau tracé est plus sportif, car il passe par le sommet de la Garlenda (2141m) avant d'atteindre le pas Fronte où débouchait avant la VA. Il faut 4h pour le refuge San Remo (fermé, bien entendu !).
Il n'y a pas d'eau le long de cette très longue étape, mais j'ai repéré une source sur une carte italienne : au pas de Collardente, il faut remonter le tuyau d'alimentation d'un enclos qui vous mènera à cette source (à environ 20 mn). Pour ceux qui, comme soit, sont autonomes, cela évite l'aller-retour au refuge Allavena. Au fait : pas trace du "Col Mellosa" sur les cartes italiennes !
Automatic translation
[Google]
Warning ! the description does not correspond to the crossing points listed below: do not follow the road to the Garezzo pass but go straight ahead on the AV towards the San Remo refuge via Margueria Garlenda. This new route is more sporty, because it passes by the top of the Garlenda (2141m) before reaching the Fronte step where debouched before the VA. It takes 4 hours for the San Remo hut (closed, of course!). There is no water along this very long stage, but I spotted a source on an Italian map: in the step of Collardente, you have to go up the feed pipe of an enclosure which will lead you to this source (about 20 minutes). For those who, as is, are autonomous, this avoids the return trip to the Allavena refuge. By the way: no trace of "Col Mellosa" on Italian maps!
Longue étape, en partie avec la pluie et le brouillard sur les crêtes ; je me suis égaré et j'ai perdu presque une heure entre le refuge San Remo et le Monte Saccarello. On passe d'une large piste de 4x4 à un sentier qui contourne la montagne. Ensuite c'est très long par la forêt, les pâturages, plusieurs petits cols.
Au colla Melosa, très bon accueil sympathique au refuge Allavena : petits dortoirs avec douche. Très bon repas.
16.08.2015
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Long stage, partly with rain and fog on the peaks; I lost my way and I lost almost an hour between San Remo and Monte Saccarello refuge. We spend a large 4x4 trail to a trail around the mountain. Then is a long time by forest, pastures, several small passes. In colla Melosa, very good friendly welcome at the shelter Allavena: small dorms with shower. Very good meal. 08/16/2015
Jean-Louis GIRAUD - 2013-05-20
Trés belle étape avec la mer à l'horizon ...C'est pour l'essentiel un long parcours de crètes sur des sentiers bien tracés et quelques passages en forèt dans l'ombre de grands épicéas. Il est préférable de partir tot avec une bonne provision d'eau !
Attention au balisage dés la sortie de la foret, dans le secteur de Margheria Garlenda. Des troupeaux occupent l'alpage et brouillent trés facilement les bonnes traces ...Je me suis égaré avant de retrouver l'itinéraire plus haut sur les crètes .
Au Colle MELOSA, le Rifugio ALLAVENA dispose de douches chaudes et de petits dortoirs pour dormir correctement. Bonne nourriture mais petit déjeuner un peu juste !
Automatic translation
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Very beautiful stage with the sea on the horizon ... This is essentially a long journey of ridges on well-groomed trails and some passages in forest in the shade of tall spruces. It is best to leave early with a good supply of water! Warning Marking right out of the forest, in the Margheria Garlenda sector. Herds occupy the pasture and blur very easily good marks ... I got lost before finding the above route on the ridges. Glues MELOSA, Rifugio ALLAVENA has hot showers and small dormitories sleeping properly. Good food but breakfast a bit tight!
Beautiful trail, almost all the time on the crest of the mountain range dividing both countries. It's easy to find: just follow the signs of the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri. In Colla Melosa, you will find the CAI Rifugio F. Allavena. In San Bernardo di Mendatica you will find a good hotel: Bar Restaurante Settimia. Rifugio Sanremo, halfway, is closed: you must get a key from the valley and carry your water and food.
Katzenauge - 2012-06-11
Ein Tipp (Sommer 2012): Im Tal im Ski-Dorf "Monesi di Triora" hat vor einem Jahr eine engagierte Frau das Gasthaus "La Vecchia Partenza" übernommen. Neben Übernachten und sehr gutem Essen (sie war vorher Köchin...) gibt es dort auch einen Laden! Wir haben uns sehr gut erholt und den langen Ab- und Anstieg nicht bereut.
Automatic translation
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One tip (Summer 2012): In the valley of the ski village "Monesi di Triora" has taken over a year ago, a dedicated wife, the restaurant "La Vecchia Partenza". As well as sleeping and very good food (she previously worked as a cook ...) there is also a shop! We have recovered very well and the long ex-rise and repent.
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8h30 |
24 km
|
1262 m
|
978 m
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.