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DAL PASSO DI SAN FERMO AI MONTI BUIO E ANTOLA

The climb up to the summit cross of Monte Antola is truly a "must", especially in good weather, when your gaze can roam far and wide. Antola is also known as "the mountain of flowers" and indeed at the beginning of summer it boasts magnificent blooms. The area is of particular naturalistic value and, both on the Piedmontese and Ligurian side, is protected by regional parks. Monte Buio is also a good destination for those who are not willing or do not have time to tackle the whole route. While the uphill route along trail No. 200 is clear and well-marked, the loop along trails Nos. 245 and 251 can be uncomfortable and requires a certain amount of intuition. To break the trip or to enjoy the sunrise from the top of Antola, overnight stays are possible in the shelter of the regional natural park of the same name, not far from the top.

 

Access. Valico di San Fermo (1129 m), some parking places available.

Itinerary. By foot take trail n. 200 that quickly ascends to the panoramic church of S.Fermo. Then proceed downhill along trail n. 200 until you reach a stele dedicated to the partisans, then a votive pillar and, just below, the asphalt road. Cross the road and take a dirt road (notice board) then, at a fork (indications) turn right onto a path that enters the wood, now thicker, climbing on the left of the watershed Val Vobbia/Val Borbera. Going around the modest Monte Sopra Costa and losing a few meters of altitude, we reach the narrow Sesenelle Pass (1254 m), where our path crosses a track that connects the two valleys. After several uphill turns in a beautiful beech wood, you come out of the wood in view of the cross of Monte Buio, which you reach through meadows (1402 m in an hour). If you want to continue towards Antola, you can keep on trail n.200 going down along the ridge: once you have reached a small metal cross, turn right and continue going downwards, now on the Ligurian side. Back among the trees, return to the ridge and continue to the "Capanna di Tonno" (1299 m), a wooden shelter on a beautiful grassy ridge. Continuing southward, leave on the left the inconspicuous entrance to trail n. 251 (the 0.20 hours, sign, may be useful on the way back) and, first on the Piedmontese side and then preferably on the Ligurian side, you go upwards again. For a long stretch our path marks the border between the regional parks of Antola and Alta Val Borbera. While climbing, the wood becomes less dense and widening on the right you will reach a pass crossed by the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri from where, going straight ahead, you will go down to the park shelter. Our itinerary continues turning left, first flanking what remains of the Musante and Bensa ex-shelters and then the chapel of San Pietro; finally, with a last climb, it reaches the summit cross, surrounded by wide pastures (1595 m, 0.50 hours).

Descent. Whoever, instead of coming back by the same way (1.30 hours), wishes to explore the Piedmontese side of Antola can proceed going down along trail n.200 to "Sella est dell'Antola" (1553 m, between the main summit and its antecedent). Here you turn left, leaving the ridge, and you take trail n.245, also marked with an old FIE trail marker (empty circle). At the beginning, the path is steep and stony and goes down in the brush, widening towards the left. Almost flat, you pass an earthy slope, then the trail becomes more evident and penetrates halfway up a beech wood. Once you enter a meadow area, go past a gate for livestock and pass to the right of a grassy hillock. The path is now wide and following it you reach Colla Banchiera, a junction of trails (1274 m, 0.45 hours). Surrounded by a small table, turn left on trail 245 (sign), not too evident because of the vegetation. Once back in the woods, the path becomes wide and crosses a stream, leaving an unmarked fork to the right. With a few ascents and descents you reach a woodland area almost entirely populated with laburnum trees. The blossoming at the end of spring is spectacular but the path becomes confused. Proceeding almost flat you find a more evident track that, slightly uphill, reaches the crossroads near the Capanna di Tonno (one hour). From here, take the same route to return to the San Fermo pass (1.15 hours).

Mountain shelters and support points: Shelters of Antola Regional Natural Park (tel. 339/4874872, info@rifugioantola.com), 30 beds and restaurant service.

 

Testo @piemonteparchi :  http://www.piemonteparchi.it/cms/index.php/territorio/sentieri-provati/i...

Journey time 
0 sec
Highest altitude 
1.595 m
Height ascent 
700 m
Height descent 
400 m
Usage 
Escursionismo
Province 
Alessandria

Point of departure

Valico di San Fermo
15060 Carrega Ligure AL
Italy

Point of arrival

Italy

Useful information

Difficulty 
Escursionistico
Recommended period 
http://www.piemonteparchi.it/cms/index.php/territorio/sentieri-provati/item/5040-a-piedi-nella-natura-piemontese
Classification 
Regionale
Access 
Valico San Fermo
Other info 
Access with public transport 
No