Step outside and go.
Hiking in the Ligurian Alps from The Retreat at Berzi
Pull on your boots, step out of the farmhouse door, and within minutes the path carries you somewhere words struggle to follow. This is hiking not for the summit, but for the silence along the way.
The Ligurian Alps are one of Italy's best-kept secrets. Wedged between the Maritime Alps and the Italian Riviera, this stretch of mountain landscape offers wild trails, ancient mule paths, and open ridgelines, almost entirely free of crowds. From The Retreat in Berzi, the mountains start at your doorstep.
THE ROUTES
Four trails worth knowing
Whether you are an experienced hiker or simply someone who wants to wander without a plan, the trails around Berzi and Bajardo offer something for every pace. Click any card to explore the route.
7,4km | Moderate | 2,5 - 3 hrs
A loop from the medieval village via Passo Ghimbegna. Historic ruins, open views over the valley and - on clear days - the sea.
2-7 km | Easy | 1 - 2 hrs
Short circular routes directly from the farmhouse through wild herbs, dry-stone walls and chestnut woodland. Total solitude.
440 km total | Challenging
Liguria's great long-distance ridge trail runs just above Berzi. Walk one day stage — or more. Red-white-red waymarks guide you from Ventimiglia toward La Spezia.
Half-day | Mixed terrain
Drive 30 minutes to the coast at Ospedaletti or San Remo, then walk back up through terraced olive groves toward the mountains. Sea and summit in one day.
WHAT YOU WILL FIND
A landscape that asks nothing of you
The macchia here is extraordinary, a dense, fragrant scrubland of cistus, lavender, wild rosemary and broom that carpets the hillsides from spring through summer. In autumn, the chestnut forests turn amber. In winter, the trails are sharp and clear, the air cold and dry, and you may walk for hours without seeing another soul.
Birdlife is abundant. Raptors ride the thermals above the ridge. The only sounds, most mornings, are wind, birds and your own footsteps on old stone paths worn smooth over centuries.
"What a blissful cottage, complete tranquillity, with a breath-taking view." — Cindy, guest at The Retreat
PLAN YOUR VISIT
When to go and what to bring
The trails around Berzi walk well from April through October. Spring brings wildflowers and mild temperatures. July and August are warm — start early and carry water. September and October are perhaps the finest months: the light is golden, the heat has gone, and chestnuts ripen underfoot.
Stuart and Susanna can point you to the right trail for your pace and day. Maps, local knowledge and good coffee before you leave are all part of the stay.
USEFUL TRAIL RESOURCES
Plan your route before you arrive
 | AllTrails - Bajardo trails Curated trail maps, reviews and photos for routes around Bajardo | |
 | Wikiloc - Berzi hiking trails GPS tracks uploaded by local hikers in and around Berzi | |
 | Alta Via dei Monti Liguri - official guide Full route, GPS tracks and stage planner for the 440 km Ligurian ridge trail | |
 | Komoot - hiking in Liguria Community-curated routes across the Ligurian Alps with photos and difficulty ratings |
Ready to lace up? Book your stay at The Retreat in Berzi and step out into the Ligurian Alps
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