Summer is an experience; autumn is a feeling. One made of warm colours and enveloping scents. From the end of September, the leaves take on all the colours of a sunset and begin to fall – or are they trying to fly? – creating magic carpets. Nature’s extravaganza, which puts on some of its loveliest shows in Liguria. Here’s where.
A protected natural area covering some 9,000 hectares overlooked by Monte Beigua (altitude 1287 metres). Chestnut and oak woods, and magnificent beech forests, such as that of Piampaludo (departure from Cogoleto), which also encompasses Pratorotondo, one of the park’s most beautiful viewpoints overlooking the sea. However, there are many trails to choose from, such the Deiva Forest ring-route or the Badia di Tiglieto. The park management authorities organize a number of excursions, including biowatching and photography hikes.
The beauty of the foliage squared, with trees reflected in Brugneto Lake, the biggest in Liguria and one of the loveliest. The Antola Park also organizes hiking, mountain bike and horse riding excursions, as well as guided hikes to the fascinating Castello della Pietra, a stronghold set into the rock on a promontory.
Here beauty meets history, from the old aqueduct to the lovely medieval churches and abbeys, such as the Abbey of San Fruttuoso right on the beach.
In the heart of the park are small lakes set within the Lame Forest. From the Bocco Pass you can reach the Monte Zatta birch forest, one of the most beautiful in Liguria. Also not to be missed is Borzone Abbey, which dates back to before the year 1,000, to 712 to be exact.
REGIONAL PARK OF THE LIGURIAN ALPS
Moving to the extreme west of Liguria, you can choose one of the many excursions in this natural area of some 6,000 hectares. Among the most appealing is that in the Rezzo beech forest in the Arroscia valley, which takes you to the Mezzaluna Pass, where the view encompasses the Ligurian and French Alps.
(ph. Johannes Plenio)