Borghetto – Cassana – Monte Castellaro – Monte Bardellone - Pastina

This route follows important sections of historic ridge paths, including the Via dei Monti and links with the Alta Via delle Cinque Terre. The itinerary starts in the fourteenth-century village of Borghetto di Vara and climbs towards the hillside hamlets of Corneto and the Church of Cassana. From here, it leaves the paved road and enters the secluded, shaded Canale di Cassana valley, alternating dense chestnut woodland with Mediterranean scrub as elevation increases. Once the watershed is reached, the trail follows the ridge line past Monte Castellaro and Foce del Bardellone, a strategic pass at 594 metres above sea level offering spectacular views towards both the Apennines and the Gulf of Levanto. The final section develops on the seaward slope, gradually descending among pine woods and dry-stone walls to the historic hillside settlement of Pastina, a hamlet at the entrance to Levanto.

• Stable hiking boots are essential because of the mixed surface, including unpaved ground, leaves and uneven stones on old mule tracks.
• On the valley floor of the Canale di Cassana, the trail makes several small stream crossings: take particular care on slippery rocks and do not follow the route after heavy rainfall.
• Old structures and dry-stone walls in the historic hillside area may occasionally show localised collapses or partially overgrown vegetation, including brambles, in late spring; long trousers are recommended.
• Carry an adequate water supply, as there are no guaranteed intermediate refill points on the mountain ridge between Cassana and Pastina.