Monte Maggiorasca

Monte Maggiorasca is the highest peak of the Ligurian Apennines. Although Liguria is not widely known for the beauty of its mountains, I must say that when we discovered this valley we had to think again, because it really is spectacular. The climb up Monte Maggiorasca was very demanding, especially in the last stretch. We set off from the big car park at the end of Santo Stefano on a beautiful summer day; in the first part of our trek we had the company of many families heading for the Prati della Cipolla for a Sunday picnic. We too rested and refreshed ourselves at length on this beautiful meadow before tackling the last stretch that would take us to the summit, 1804 metres. On the top stands a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe that overlooks the whole valley.