Levanto Valley Villages Trail (Montale - Pastine - Legnaro - Chiesanova - Fontona - Levanto)

The route starts in the medieval village of Montale, dominated by the historic Romanesque parish church of San Siro. From here, the hillside trail heads westwards, running parallel to the coastline at a steady elevation.

The first section quickly reaches Pastine, a small cluster of perched stone houses, before continuing among centuries-old olive groves and terraced slopes to Legnaro, a village characterised by narrow caruggi lanes and the Church of San Pietro. The walk continues by alternating short climbs and level sections, crossing small wooded gullies on old stone bridges until it reaches Chiesanova, another splendid natural balcony overlooking the valley.

From Chiesanova, the trail continues towards the final hillside village on the route: Fontona, historically linked to the nearby Sanctuary of Madonna del Soccorso. Each of these villages offers drinking-water fountains and distinctive architectural views. From Fontona, the route finally follows the old and comfortable paved mule track gently downhill along the valley floor, beside streams and cultivated land, before entering the town centre of Levanto just a few steps from the sea.

The route runs almost entirely along historic paved mule tracks, farm roads and short sections of paved rural roads within the villages. It has no technical difficulties or exposed passages. Take care in winter or after rainfall: the old stone paving, especially in shaded sections beneath pergolas or in woodland between villages, can become extremely slippery because of humidity and moss. Trekking shoes with non-slip soles are recommended.