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Location
France / Italy
Liguria - Francia


Alpi Liguri (gruppi Saccarello, Toraggio-Pietravecchia)
S.I.C. M. Saccarello-M. Frontè, M. Gerbonte, M. Toraggio-M. Pietravecchia
Key to symbols   
Stage point (start or end of stage)
Intermediate accommodation possibility
Summit
Pass
Town, village
Other locality

Catering
Doctor
Chemist
Bakery / grocery
Hardware / sports shop
Post
Bank / cash dispenser
Train
Coach
Taxi
Open automobile access

A Tarred or paved road
B Dirt track
C Mule trail
D Mountain trail
E Equipped trail (cables, ladders)
F No trail

Stroll / tourism (broad, non-exposed trail)
Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
R156 San Bernardo di Mendatica » Colla Melosa
  |   8h30   |   24 km   |   1262 m   |   978 m

The trail climbs among pastureland along the ridge of Mount Saccarello which, as the highest peak in the region of Liguria, affords the most stunning views. It then turns southwards, towards the Mediterranean, along the border between Italy and France, through beautiful conifer woods. This stage is long, but it can be divided into two parts by following the alternative route down to Realdo where there is a hut. This leg is practicable by mountain bike, too from San Bernardo di Mendatica to Colla Melosa.

Point Segment
Name Services Information Marking
San Bernardo di Mendatica
1265 m
| AB  3 km / 1h00
Margheria Garlenda
1539 m
| CD  5.5 km / 2h00
Rifugio Sanremo
2054 m
| C  2.3 km / 0h45
Passo del Saccarello (Pas Saccarel)
2145 m
| D  2.7 km / 1h00
Passo di Collardente (B. Fraches)
1599 m
| B  3 km / 1h00
Bassa di Sanson Ovest
1694 m
| BD  3.5 km / 1h20
Bassa di Marta
1956 m
| BD  2 km / 0h40
Sella d'Agnaira (B. Vallette)
1888 m
| ABD  2 km / 0h45
Colla Melosa
1548 m
Detailed route description
Natural and cultural heritage
Other long-distance trails and alternative routes
Alta Via dei Monti Liguri. Between Mt. Frontè and Mt. Saccarello the stage also follows the Via Marenca trail, an old route linking Imperia and Limone Piemonte. Alternative: to divide this stage into two, from the Collardente pass there is a trail down to Realdo where there is a hut. From here climb to Bassa di Sanson where there is a trail that cuts straight across the winding road.
Useful topographic maps
  • 14 (San Remo, Imperia, Montecarlo) ~ IGC (1:50.000)
Useful guidebooks
  • Alta Via dei Monti Liguri ~ Unioncamere Liguri (ISBN )
  • Alte Vie della Liguria, Andrea Parodi ~ Parodi Editore (ISBN 88-88873-04-X)
  • Alpi Liguri (Guida dei Monti d'Italia) ~ CAI/TCI (ISBN )
  • Auf der Via Alpina durch Seealpen und Ligurische Alpen ~ fernwege.de (ISBN 978-3937304-50-2)
Comments

Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.
 


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  • Andreas - 2022-09-21
    Bei der Sella della Valletta (Nähe Rif. Sanremo) gibt es seit 2019 ein neu eröffnetes Rifugio "La Terza" http://rifugiolaterza.it mit Übernachtungsmöglichkeit.
    Sehr lohnenswert ist auch der Abstieg vom Passo di Collardente ins pittoreske Bergdorf Realdo, wo man im gemütlichen Rifugio Realdo übernachten kann. http://realdovive.it/rifugio/
    Am nächsten Morgen steigt man über Borniga und Il Pin auf zur Baisse de Sanson, wo man wieder die offizielle Via Alpina erreicht.
  • Berta - 2018-08-31
    Das Refugio Allavena am Colle Melosa war sehr angenehm, wir waren im oberen Stock eines 14 Betten Lagers alleine, dadurch sehr geräumig. Abendessen war gut, genauso das Frühstück. In der Bat gegenüber gibt es WiFi. Am nächsten Morgen ca.40min Aufstieg was am Vortag abgestiegen wurde.
    Automatic translation [Google]
    The Refugio Allavena at Colle Melosa was very pleasant, we were on the upper floor of a 14 bed camp alone, so very spacious. Dinner was good, as was breakfast. In the Bat opposite there is WiFi. The next morning about 40min ascent which was the day before.
  • Elisabeth - 2016-11-22
    Attention ! le descriptif ne correspond pas aux points de passage listés plus bas : il ne faut pas suivre la route du col de Garezzo mais monter tout droit par la AV en direction du refuge San Remo via Margueria Garlenda. Ce nouveau tracé est plus sportif, car il passe par le sommet de la Garlenda (2141m) avant d'atteindre le pas Fronte où débouchait avant la VA. Il faut 4h pour le refuge San Remo (fermé, bien entendu !).
    Il n'y a pas d'eau le long de cette très longue étape, mais j'ai repéré une source sur une carte italienne : au pas de Collardente, il faut remonter le tuyau d'alimentation d'un enclos qui vous mènera à cette source (à environ 20 mn). Pour ceux qui, comme soit, sont autonomes, cela évite l'aller-retour au refuge Allavena. Au fait : pas trace du "Col Mellosa" sur les cartes italiennes !
    Automatic translation [Google]
    Warning ! the description does not correspond to the crossing points listed below: do not follow the road to the Garezzo pass but go straight ahead on the AV towards the San Remo refuge via Margueria Garlenda. This new route is more sporty, because it passes by the top of the Garlenda (2141m) before reaching the Fronte step where debouched before the VA. It takes 4 hours for the San Remo hut (closed, of course!). There is no water along this very long stage, but I spotted a source on an Italian map: in the step of Collardente, you have to go up the feed pipe of an enclosure which will lead you to this source (about 20 minutes). For those who, as is, are autonomous, this avoids the return trip to the Allavena refuge. By the way: no trace of "Col Mellosa" on Italian maps!
  • Jean-Claude - 2015-10-15
    Longue étape, en partie avec la pluie et le brouillard sur les crêtes ; je me suis égaré et j'ai perdu presque une heure entre le refuge San Remo et le Monte Saccarello. On passe d'une large piste de 4x4 à un sentier qui contourne la montagne. Ensuite c'est très long par la forêt, les pâturages, plusieurs petits cols.
    Au colla Melosa, très bon accueil sympathique au refuge Allavena : petits dortoirs avec douche. Très bon repas.
    16.08.2015
    Automatic translation [Google]
    Long stage, partly with rain and fog on the peaks; I lost my way and I lost almost an hour between San Remo and Monte Saccarello refuge. We spend a large 4x4 trail to a trail around the mountain. Then is a long time by forest, pastures, several small passes. In colla Melosa, very good friendly welcome at the shelter Allavena: small dorms with shower. Very good meal. 08/16/2015
  • Jean-Louis GIRAUD - 2013-05-20
    Trés belle étape avec la mer à l'horizon ...C'est pour l'essentiel un long parcours de crètes sur des sentiers bien tracés et quelques passages en forèt dans l'ombre de grands épicéas. Il est préférable de partir tot avec une bonne provision d'eau !
    Attention au balisage dés la sortie de la foret, dans le secteur de Margheria Garlenda. Des troupeaux occupent l'alpage et brouillent trés facilement les bonnes traces ...Je me suis égaré avant de retrouver l'itinéraire plus haut sur les crètes .
    Au Colle MELOSA, le Rifugio ALLAVENA dispose de douches chaudes et de petits dortoirs pour dormir correctement. Bonne nourriture mais petit déjeuner un peu juste !
    Automatic translation [Google]
    Very beautiful stage with the sea on the horizon ... This is essentially a long journey of ridges on well-groomed trails and some passages in forest in the shade of tall spruces. It is best to leave early with a good supply of water! Warning Marking right out of the forest, in the Margheria Garlenda sector. Herds occupy the pasture and blur very easily good marks ... I got lost before finding the above route on the ridges. Glues MELOSA, Rifugio ALLAVENA has hot showers and small dormitories sleeping properly. Good food but breakfast a bit tight!
  • Henk Nouws - 2012-09-03
    Beautiful trail, almost all the time on the crest of the mountain range dividing both countries. It's easy to find: just follow the signs of the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri. In Colla Melosa, you will find the CAI Rifugio F. Allavena. In San Bernardo di Mendatica you will find a good hotel: Bar Restaurante Settimia. Rifugio Sanremo, halfway, is closed: you must get a key from the valley and carry your water and food.
  • Katzenauge - 2012-06-11
    Ein Tipp (Sommer 2012): Im Tal im Ski-Dorf "Monesi di Triora" hat vor einem Jahr eine engagierte Frau das Gasthaus "La Vecchia Partenza" übernommen. Neben Übernachten und sehr gutem Essen (sie war vorher Köchin...) gibt es dort auch einen Laden! Wir haben uns sehr gut erholt und den langen Ab- und Anstieg nicht bereut.
    Automatic translation [Google]
    One tip (Summer 2012): In the valley of the ski village "Monesi di Triora" has taken over a year ago, a dedicated wife, the restaurant "La Vecchia Partenza". As well as sleeping and very good food (she previously worked as a cook ...) there is also a shop! We have recovered very well and the long ex-rise and repent.
Last update : 2019-12-18