Italy - Walking From Menton (France) to San Remo (Italy)

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In Italy, you will follow the ‘Sentiero Balcone’. When leaving from Menton though, you will walk along France’s famous ‘Balcony of the Côte d’Azur’.

At first glance, there is little difference to be found between the historical County of Nice and the former Republic of Genoa. They share the same type of beautiful architecture, villages set in to the steep coastline, the area also has a shared history which is evident when weaving from one valley to the next amongst the pines.

However, once you have crossed the border to Italy, the atmosphere quickly changes. Other walkers on the path become a rarer sight, and the markers become less frequent as you follow routes through more remote areas. The villages, however, become livelier. Vineyards and olive groves are plentiful. This really feels like a whole other world, it is better preserved than its French counterpart and it is a better kept secret.

Day 1

Arrive in Menton - Night in Menton in 2** or 3*** hotel (bed and breakfast)

Day 2

From Menton to Vintimille by borders ridges. Early morning bus transfer to the little village Castellar, dominating the bay of Menton (340m altitude) and marks the starting point of the hike. From there, you can choose between two routes, long or short

Day 3

Torri – Airole – Rochetta-Nervina Long itinerary:morning transfer by bus or taxi to the hamlet of Torri Ventimiglia in the Bevera Valley (altitude: 95m). A beautiful track that slowly climbs the left bank of Bevera to gain the hamlet of Collabassa (320m), that sits on the crest which separates the Roya and Bevera. The path descends to cross the Roya at the foot of the beautiful village of Airole (110m), where you can visit its narrow streets. After a short break, we must tackle the climb to the Sella dei Due Abelli (750m): a wild and wonderful path that plays with obstacles of the terrain. On the other slope, after a few meters on the old strategic route of the Italian Maginot line, a beautiful descent is waiting for us to go to Rocchetta Nervina Valley. One last olive grove and the path leads you directly to your hotel (200m altitude). Total: + 890m - 780m and 6h hiking.

Day 4

Rochetta-Nervina – Isolabona – Apricale We start the day with a visit of the village Rocchetta-Nervina, nestled in the valley, in the narrow confluence of two streams. A small path goes along one stream and begins a long and savage rise to then follow the line of a crest (735m).On the other slope, it’s the descent to the valley of Nervia and the village of Isolabona, dominated by the ruins of its castle (100m). After visiting the village, the hardest part is to come, as we have to hike to the village of Apricale (250m) clinging on a steep slope, and ranked among the most beautiful villages in Italy. Total : +705m, - 635m, 5h00 hiking

Day 5

Perinaldo – Dolceacqua - Pigna After visiting Apricale, a nice path will take us up along the ridge to the perched village of Perinaldo almost 600m above sea level and offering an absolutely stunning view of the sea! Then descent to Dolceacqua, along a path of pilgrimage to Our Lady of Sorrows. You arrive above the old town by its imposing castle. But Dolceacqua is mainly famous for the beauty of its bold medieval bridge over the Nervia (and of course it’s wines!). After visiting the village, transfer by regular bus to the village of Pigna, in the upper valley of the Nervia. This beautiful village has a beautiful altarpiece and a chapel painted by Canavesio, one of the major artists of the late fifteenth century in this cultural era of Savoy and Liguria. Total : + 450m, - 650m and 4h30 hiking.

Day 6

Pigna – Baiardo The path leaves from our hotel and wins the hilltop village of Castelvittorio (412m). We cross this village going up alleys stairs, and it continues to climb to the chapel of San Sebastiano (700m).After a bit of flat ground , descent to the bridge of Bonda (500m), before starting the long climb through the forest that leads to the highest village in our circuit: Baiardo (900m). Total: + 825m, -200m and 5h00 hiking

Day 7

Baiardo – Monte Bignone - San Remo From the village of Baiardo, you'll go along a forest ridge that takes you without any difficulty to the summit of Mount Bignone (1299m), the most beautiful belvedere of the Ligurian coast (At the Belle Epoque, there was even a cable lift that mouted the tourists of the Riviera to it). Descent through the forest of the natural reserve of San Romolo (760m). Transferby regular bus to San Remo. Total : +450m – 540m and 4h30 hiking.

Day 8

San Remo - We recommend that you spend at least one morning to discover San Remo, especially if you are there on a Saturday, when the weekly market takes place in front of the cathedral. Return by trolleybus or train to Ventimiglia (numerous departures). Correspondence with Ventimiglia via a regional train (TER) to Menton or Nice.