Capanne di Cosola - Capanne di Carrega

The Borbera-Spinti loop (trail 200) is a long-distance itinerary that winds along the ridges of the Borbera and Spinti valleys, starting in Stazzano and arriving in Arquata Scrivia. The route is approximately 100 kilometers long, passes through pristine landscapes, and touches the main peaks of our region.

The loop is divided into eleven stages, and the one that connects the Capanne di Cosola to those of Carrega is one of the most beautiful. Important from a historical perspective (the Ancient Salt Road passed through here), from a scenic perspective (with the splendid ridges on the border between Piedmont, Emilia, and Liguria), and from a naturalistic perspective (the fauna and flora of great value, protected by the Alta Val Borbera Natural Park).

Take the small road that passes to the right of the "Capanne di Cosola" hotel and enters a beautiful beech forest, then crosses the high-altitude meadows, characterized by splendid blooms in spring and summer. After passing another wooded section, continue on the path until you reach a wide mule track that turns right and begins to climb.

After a short climb through the beech forest, you reach a grassy area, from which you can enjoy splendid panoramic views of the entire Borbera Valley. Continue uphill along the ridge until you reach Monte Cavalmurone (1,662 m), whose summit, although rounded, is one of the highest in the Ligurian Apennines.

Continue along the fence along the ridge that marks the border between the provinces of Alessandria and Piacenza. After a few ups and downs, you reach the slopes of Monte Legnà, where you'll find the fork for trail 230 (Daglio-Monte Legnà), which quickly leads to its summit (1,669 m).

After a downhill stretch, it passes through a beautiful beech forest and then begins to climb until reaching the grassy clearing where Poggio Rondino (1,543 m) is located. From here, return to the dirt road and, after a wooded section, turn right onto a path.

Continue slightly uphill, then take the path halfway up the hillside that crosses mountain meadows where you can admire splendid blooms and come within sight of the unmistakable pyramid of Monte Carmo.

Leave the dirt road and take the path that, with a short but steep climb, takes you to the summit of Monte Carmo (1640 m), where you'll find a large cross and where the borders of three different regions (Piedmont, Emilia, and Liguria) coincide. From this peak, you can admire a 360-degree panorama that stretches from the Apennines to the Ligurian Sea, and on clear days, reaches the Alpine arc.

Take the steep path that descends along the grassy slopes of Mount Carmo, then at its end, follow the dirt road that enters the beech forest and reaches the Capanne di Carrega (1,367 m), where you'll find the characteristic Locanda, a popular agriturismo.

The Loop is divided into eleven stages; the one connecting Capanne di Cosla to Capanne di Carrega is the sixth.

Points of interest:

Alta Val Borbera Natural Park

Capanne di Cosola Hotel - Località Capanne di Cosola, 5 15060 Cabella Ligure

Tel. 0143 999126

- Albergo Cacciatori Restaurant, Aie di Cosola, 41 15060 Cabella Ligure

Tel. 0143 999122

- Albergo Alpino Restaurant, Montaldo di Cosola 15060 Cabella Ligure

Tel. 0143 999124

- Restaurant Hotel Ponte Frazione Cosola, 5 15060 Cabella Ligure

Tel. 0143 999121

- Agriturismo Capanne di Carrega – Location Huts – 15060 Carrega Ligure

Tel. 347 9790789

Take the SP 140 provincial road to km 41, reaching the provincial border between Alessandria and Piacenza, where the Capanne di Cosola hotel is located (1500 m), where you can park your car.