Via del Sale (Salt Path): Varzi → Camogli - 5 Nights in the Himalayas

Quick Links

Quick Facts
About & Details
Itinerary

The Salt Road trek from Varzi to Camogli is a multi-day hike across the Apennines to the Ligurian Sea. The route, also known as Via del Sale, is approximately 85km long and typically takes four days to complete. It’s a journey through diverse landscapes, connecting the Oltrepò Pavese region with the Ligurian coast, passing through historical towns and offering scenic views.

The “Via del Mare”, (sea route), also called “Via del Sale” (salt route), is an ancient route used by shepherds, travellers and traders to go from the Lombard plain to the sea and back. At that time salt was used as a currency for trading goods. Why salt and not money? Because salt was an important and fundamental element for preserving food, so in that era, it was more precious than gold itself, that is why this trekking is called “La via del Sale”.

Quick Facts

Country: Italy
Start / Finish: Varzi (Lombardy) → Camogli (Liguria)
Distance: ~90 km
Duration: 4 days (Varzi – Capanne di Cosola – Tariglia – Uscio – Camogli)
Highest Point: Monte Chiappo – 1,700 m
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Terrain: Mountain ridges, beech forests, cobbled mule tracks, and coastal hills
Best Season: May – October
Waymarking: Red-white CAI and “VDS” (Via del Sale) trail blazes/signs
Accommodation: Mountain refuges, small inns, B&Bs
Access:
- Start: Bus from Voghera to Varzi
- Finish: Train from Camogli to Genoa / Milan

About & Details

Route Highlights

Varzi: Medieval village and traditional start of the ancient salt trade route
Monte Chiappo Ridge: Panoramic crossing of the Apennines at 1,700 m
Capanne di Cosola: Historic mountain hamlet and classic first-night stop
Tariglia & Ligurian Uplands: Rolling ridges, wildflowers, chestnut groves
Uscio: Gateway to the coast — olive terraces and views of the Ligurian Sea
Camogli: Colorful fishing village where the mountains meet the Mediterranean

Why Walk It

Follow a centuries-old trade route once used to transport salt from the sea to Lombardy
Experience the dramatic transition from alpine landscapes to the Mediterranean coast
Enjoy authentic Italian mountain hospitality and regional cuisine along the way
End your journey with your feet in the Ligurian Sea — a true coast-to-coast adventure

Inclusions

5 nights’ accommodation in good quality B&Bs or hotels with ensuite or private bathroom and breakfast. Single rooms are available at a supplement
GPX Files
24 hour emergency assistance during your trip
Professional event organisation

Exclusions

Travel to the start and finish point of the trip
Lunch and evening meals
Beverages
Personal equipment
Personal insurance (for cancellation, accident, health, emergency evacuation and loss, theft of or damaged baggage and personal effects)
Guiding (please contact us if you would like this trip to be guided)

Optional extras

Single Room Supplement £90 per person per night (subject to availability)
Solo traveller supplement £90 per person per night
Odd number group supplement £90 per group per night may apply if a single room is required
Extra night at the start (single room) £220 per person
Extra night at the start (twin room, needs 2 people) £200 per person
Extra night at the end of the event £220 per person (single room)
Extra night at the end of the event (twin room, needs 2 people) £200 per person

Please select from Optional Extras at checkout.

Need a guide?

If you would prefer to have a guide for your walk, even just for one day, then we are happy to help. We can provide a qualified leader (also first aid qualified) to lead your trek or on just one of the sections. Just ask us.
A guide can not only take the stress out of navigation, but you will also find them a great asset in terms of providing an insight into all things environment and nature.

Dates and prices

For available dates please see the ‘book now’ option on the left hand side on desktops or at the bottom on mobiles. You can reserve your space via this route.

After you book

After placing your booking with us, you will in the first instance receive an automated email from our system confirming receipt of your reservation. If you don’t receive your confirmation, it would be worth checking your spam/clutter folder.

In the process of placing your booking, you will generally set up an access password to our online gateway where you can review the details of the booking.

Your personal adventure travel planner will then be in touch with you to start to confirm the details. This contact will usually be taken up in the working day after receipt of your booking, but may, in busy times, take a little longer. The adventure travel planner will then liaise with you regarding the details of the course. If you have any specific requirements, please do mention it at this stage.

At the end of your trip

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end at some point and when you arrive at the end of the trail, some people like to treat themselves to a night’s stay at the end. And why not? You’ve earned it. You can arrange this as an optional extra with your adventure travel planner.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Varzi
Arrive at your accommodation
Day 2 - Varzi → Capanne di Cosola
Distance: ~22 km Ascent: +1,600 m Descent: −250 m
Time: 7–8 hours
Route
Leave Varzi (416 m) via Monteforte and Cella di Varzi, then climb steadily through chestnut woods and open pastures toward Monte Chiappo. The last stretch along the ridge is spectacular, with wide views of Lombardy and Piedmont.
Highlights
Historic cobbled mule tracks from Varzi’s medieval quarter
Panoramas over the Staffora Valley
Mountain huts and alpine meadows near Capanne di Cosola (1,500 m)
Overnight
Capanne di Cosola or nearby, depending upon group size and availability
Day 3 - Capanne di Cosola → Tariglia
Distance: ~24 km Ascent: +700 m Descent: −1,200 m
Time: 7 hours
Route
Follow the main ridge via Monte Carmo and Monte Antola, crossing into Liguria. The terrain is open grassland and beech forest, with far views toward the sea. Steep descent into Tariglia, a small mountain village near Rezzoaglio.
Highlights
Monte Carmo (1,640 m) – regional border between Lombardy and Liguria
Views to the Ligurian Gulf on clear days
Wildflowers, chestnut groves, and old shepherd huts
Overnight
Tariglia or nearby – depending upon group size and availability
Day 4 - Tariglia → Uscio
Distance: ~25 km Ascent: +850 m Descent: −1,250 m
Time: 7–8 hours
Route
This long but scenic stage follows the Ligurian Apennine ridgeline through forest and small hamlets (Loco di Rovegno, Barbagelata). Then descend into the coastal hills above the Golfo Paradiso.
Highlights
Ridge walks with alternating sea and alpine views
Historic churches and dry-stone terraces near Barbagelata
Transition from mountain flora to Mediterranean vegetation (olive, broom, pine)
Overnight
Uscio or nearby, depending upon group size and availability
Day 5 - Uscio → Camogli (Seaside!)
Distance: ~18 km Ascent: +450 m Descent: −950 m
Time: 5–6 hours
Route
Climb briefly to the Colle Caprile ridge, then descend via Ruta di Camogli and the panoramic Via delle Batterie or San Rocco footpath into Camogli.
Highlights
Sea views appear within the first hour
Option to detour via San Rocco di Camogli (stunning church and belvedere)
Finish at the beach and harbor of Camogli, a traditional Ligurian fishing village
Celebration
Enjoy fresh seafood and focaccia on the waterfront — you’ve walked an ancient trade route from the Po Valley to the Ligurian Sea!
Overnight
Camogli or nearby
Day 6 - Departure Day
Depart and safe onwards journey

Notes:

This itinerary is a guide only. Timings and mileages are approximate.

We will always endeavour to accommodate you in the locations detailed in the above itinerary. Due to very high demand, some accommodation providers may occasionally have limited availability and so we may need to accommodate you in an alternative location, nearby. In this case, we will arrange a taxi transfer for you to take you from the trail to your accommodation and back again the following morning. An additional charge may be payable. We will notify you of this when confirming your booking.

The Route

Why book with us

We know you have a choice of companies providing trips for your next adventures. Here are some of the reasons you should choose to travel with Maximum Adventure:

We are an established adventure travel business
We have been trading since 2002
We are financially protected in accordance with the 1992 travel regulation
Knowledgeable and available office staff
Qualified leaders and guides with ascents ranging from Ben Nevis to Mount Everest
All activities are risk assessed
We will provide you with the best service available
We are aware this is your holiday/your challenge and will do our best to make it an enjoyable and rewarding experience
We have many repeat clients stretching back over a number of years

20+ years adventure organisation experience

Full liability & financial protection

Leading provider of high quality adventure challenges

Great team of staff to support you

Via del Sale (Salt Path): Varzi → Camogli – 5 Nights

Book your adventure

Speak to an Expert

017683 71289

Year

Month

Date

Month

Date

Quick Links

Quick Facts