Liguria Trail - Stage 6: Bonassola - Moneglia

From Bonassola to Salto della Lepre

The route starts in Bonassola near the Oratory of Sant'Erasmo and follows trail no. 661 towards Salto della Lepre. The cliff offers a broad view towards Framura and was also used as a strategic military point, as shown by a Second World War battery. The trail then rounds the promontory and descends to Carpeneggio pass, a junction for Bonassola, Framura and Montaretto.

Cliffs and the Red Marble of Bonassola

Continuing along the Sentiero Verde Azzurro, the route crosses holm-oak woodland, a pine forest and the cultivated plots of Salice. Beyond the shaded Montaretto valley, the itinerary reaches one of its most spectacular sections: a trail across basalt cliffs, through Mediterranean scrub and sparse Aleppo-pine woodland. A short detour descends to Marmi, where a former quarry preserves blocks linked to the historic extraction of the Red Marble of Bonassola.

Framura, Casa Serra and Deiva Marina

The stage crosses the hamlets of Framura: Anzo, Ravecca, Setta, Roma and Costa. Costa features a robust ninth-century Carolingian tower and the Parish Church of San Martino, which also preserves a painting by Bernardo Strozzi. At Setta, the Liguria Trail continues towards Costa and follows trail no. 651 to Sella del Prato. From here, a dirt road reaches Casa Serra and continues to the descent towards Deiva Marina.

From Deiva Marina to Moneglia

After passing through the small historic centre of Deiva Marina, the route continues along the Sentiero Verde Azzurro and reaches Moneglia via Lemeglio. The length of the stage and the passage through Framura and Deiva Marina allow hikers to organise shorter sub-stages.

Geology and vegetation

The Bonassola-Framura section is characterised by ophiolites, including gabbro, basalt and serpentinite. The substrate favours Mediterranean scrub and garrigue with savory, thyme, helichrysum and Ligurian santolina (Santolina ligustica), an endemic species of this part of Liguria. Tree spurge (Euphorbia dendroides) is also present on rocky outcrops overlooking the sea.

The official guide describes a relatively long stage: 16.9 km, an indicative walking time of 7 hours 40 minutes and a total elevation gain of 935 metres. The surface is mixed: 56.4% natural ground, 32.0% asphalt and 11.6% paving. Before departure, check weather and trail conditions and use hiking footwear suitable for a long route with varied surfaces.