Pietra Ligure – the Hay Trail
From Pietra Ligure to the Pian delle Bosse refuge through the Hay Trail.
Pietra Ligure welcomes us for the third stage of #LiguriaTrekkingeXperience!
From its crystal sea we go up to the Pian delle Bosse refuge, 850 m a.s.l., through the scenic Hay Trail.
We make this a really amusing trekking day which allows us to discover ancient buildings and unforgettable views along our way.
Data of the trail
Difficulty:
E (Excursionist). Easy path
Standard Time:
4hrs (one way)
Ascent:
850 m a.s.l.
Description of the route
Pietra Ligure is a sea village behind which stands Monte Carmo.
Even because of this rise where several paths and routes intertwine continuously, Pietra Ligure represents the starting point for trekking lovers, especially for people, like us, who love appreciating the beautiful landscapes along their walking and discovering the ancient human evidences still present in the region.
From the dock of Pietra Ligure we arrive at Pian delle Bosse refuge where a large number of surprises wait for trakkers.
Through the ancient area of Pietra Ligure with its cobblestone alleys we get to the old panoramic village of Ranzi, famous for the Local Wine Festival (also known as “Sagra del Vino Nostralino”).
We take the Hay Trail, an old well-preserved mule track that the CAI signposts mark clearly; once it was maintained by the local farmers which they used during the haymaking season.
Along this historic path we meet an old 18th century circular building, the Cabanun Maggiore, whose purpose was to protect the careers and the mules with their loads.
This shelter is not the only one present here; towards the end of the trail we take, we can make a detour and go along “L’anello delle Caselle” a path showing a great number of these structures dated back more than two centuries.
Finally as we reach the CAI Pian delle Bosse refuge, the view over Pietra Ligure, Loano and Borgio Verezzi becomes really scenic.
Directions
From the dock of Pietra Ligure go towards Borgio Vecchio and follow the signposts to the Church of San Martino as far as Ranzi, a medieval small village.
We reach Piazza della Chiesa and we can see the signs for the Ancient Hay Trail. For this route the CAI signpost is a full red triangle.
Taking the Hay Trial we go on along a quite large road. After 2,5 km a little route crosses the path and leads to the Church of San Martino, a really scenic overlook.
After the small detour we come back on the main path and we walk until we reach the Cabanun Maggiore.
Carrying on along the Hay Trail we meet several evidences of the ancient cobblestone little road.
When we get to the crossroad, we follow the signs to the Pian delle Bosse refuge. Walking along a local farm track we finally get to the refugeat a height of 850 m a.s.l.
As an alternative: If we want to reduce the time of the hike, we can reach Ranzi by car and from there walk for two hours and a half until the refuge.
Or we can leave from the parking area of the chestnut (over Verzi) and take the trail which leads directly to the refuge in a 30 minute walk.
Suggested equipment
The real problem of the path is its length. To face it in the right way it is important to leave for the hike with water and some food with us so that we can be autonomous until the refuge.
As usual we must wear suitable clothes such as trekking boots and in addition bring trekking sticks or Nordic Walking poles.