Sunday 27 February, from 9.00 to approximately 14.00, Liguria Trekking proposes a circular route along the panoramic ridges between Alassio and Albenga. You start from Alassio from the Church of Santa Croce and in the first part you follow the historic Via Julia Augusta, the ancient Roman road that ran along the western Ligurian coast, encountering interesting archaeological remains; with beautiful views of the Gallinara Island, you arrive in Albenga and from where the climb to Monte Bignone begins. Part of the route takes place along the Path of the Wave, which follows the north-east ridge of the mountain.
Via Julia Augusta was built between 13-12 BC as a link between Rome and southern Gaul at the behest of the Emperor Octavian Augustus. Until the early nineteenth century, with the inauguration of the current Via Aurelia, it remained the main land communication route to cross the Ligurian west. Of the historic Via Consolare, the one between Alassio and Albenga is certainly one of the most interesting from an archaeological point of view. Here, in some places, we can still see and follow parts of the original pavement, which is really well preserved.
Along the way, according to the custom of the time, there were funeral monuments, sometimes particularly impressive. The feeling is really that of walking in a real “open-air museum”. From the first excavations in the thirties until today 9 buildings have been brought to light: a columbarium and funerary enclosures, but it is thought that there were many more buildings. Next to each monument we find explanatory signs of the ruins, with the reconstruction of their original appearance
The two paths (Via Julia Augusta and the Sentiero ddell’Onda) meet, and form a panoramic ring that reaches Monte Bignone (520 m), with breathtaking views of the Gulf of Alassio and the Gallinara island.
The excursion is organized and will be accompanied by Marian Mocanu, Environmental Hiking Guide associated with AIGAE and AGAEL / Tourist Guide associated with ALAIT Difficulty: hiking; Difference in altitude: 400 m, distance 10 km, duration 5 hours plus breaks.
Meeting point and time: 9.00 am, parking adjacent to the Municipality of Alassio (in front of the railway station) in Piazza della Libertà, 3;
cost: 12 euros.
Recommended clothing: hiking boots and poles, anorak, sunglasses, hat;
Nutrition and hydration: water bottle with hot tea, packed lunch.
For information and reservations write to [email protected], call 347 4166068, or visit the website www.liguriatrekking.it
