The Liguria Trail between Sestri Levante and Lavagna: the “ardesia” route.

The Liguria Trail, which connects Sestri Levante with Lavagna, passing through the village of Cavi, begins along the ancient Western Roman Road until reaching Camping Sant’Anna. It then leaves the so-called “City of the Two Seas,” climbing along the Fico Valley to the Rocche di Sant’Anna.

In this section, the road passes over a series of five single-arch bridges dating back to the 18th century, commissioned by the Republic of Genoa and built by builders/farmers to allow the passage of carts transporting the precious “ardesia” from Lavagna’s mines.

Upon reaching the Rocche di Sant’Anna, you’ll encounter the ruins of the old church, built by a French nobleman who, passing through those parts on horseback on his way back from Rome, survived a terrible fall onto the rocks below, thanks to the grace of the Saint to whom he was devoted.

Continuing through the heart of the Mediterranean scrub, the trail, masterfully paved with “ardesia” slabs, winds through terraced olive groves and vegetable gardens before beginning its descent towards the old village of Cavi and its typical Ligurian caruggi (narrow alleys between buildings).

From Cavi, follow Via della Pineta for about 400 meters before rejoining the Sentiero Liguria, marked with a red dot, and climbing to the Sanctuary of Santa Giulia. Right in front of the churchyard lies a 360-year-old holm oak tree with a diameter of 450 cm, listed in the National List of Monumental Trees.

The view from Santa Giulia, over the splendid stretch of coast to the Portofino promontory, amply repays the efforts made during the journey that finally descends gently to Lavagna, the “ardesia” world capital, with the splendid Basilica of Santo Stefano and its portico, a religious building symbolizing the power of the Fieschi family in the Tigullio area and the Republic of Genoa.