recommended route
Multi-day route
The Salt Routes: The Smugglers' Route
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Cover Volume 3 - The Salt Routes: The Smugglers' RoutePhoto: Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur
The Italian hiking route "the Smugglers' Route" connects Imperia to Mondovì in 8 stages between Liguria and Piedmont, passing through the Brigasque area. It is based on the historical salt routes and invites you to discover the countless riches of the territory in the heart of magnificent landscapes between the Alps and the Mediterranean.
The Salt Routes project is the result of a successful cross-border cooperation between local authorities, natural parks, and chambers of commerce of the Alpes-Maritimes, Piedmont, and Liguria.
Halfway between a hiking guide and a novel, the three-volume collection "Pagarine route", "Royal route", "Smugglers' Route" allows you to discover this period of history in a playful, both faithful and fictional way.
Through this original format, the Franco-Italian partners wanted to offer a different perspective on the close historical and cultural ties that unite this territory thanks to the support of passionate historians.
Hiking these three routes is an opportunity to discover the countless riches of the territory in the heart of magnificent landscapes between the Alps and the Mediterranean. Volume 3, from Imperia to Mondovi, follows the footsteps of our fictional hero Velluto along the ancient Smugglers' Route. It can be viewed at this link.
This project is funded by the ALPIMED PATRIM project under the INTERREG ALCOTRA program.
Author’s recommendation
The novel-guide created for this route is part of a three-volume collection on the theme of the Salt Routes:
The Pagarine route from Nice to Cuneo
The Royal route from Menton to Cuneo
The Smugglers' Route from Imperia to Mondovì
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
In case of emergency, dial 112.
Tips and suggestions
The route has been designed to offer accommodation and dining options at each stage. Be sure to book before your departure! To learn more about the offerings available in the territory, you can contact the tourist offices.
Mondovì Tourist Office - Ufficio Turistico di Mondovì: Piazza Maggiore, 1, Mondovì - +39 0174 330 358 - iatmondovi@visitcuneese.it
Azienda turistica locale del Cuneese: +39 0171 690217 - visitcuneese.it
Public transport
Within Imperia, public transport is provided by the Riviera Trasporti network.
Get Timetable to destination
Directions
- Imperia is accessible by train or car.
- Consider carpooling.
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Weather at the starting point
Statistics
From the Italian shores of the Mediterranean, on the Ligurian coast, discover the town of Imperia, formerly known as Oneglia, a major smuggling ...
In the 1670s, the States of Savoy and the Republic of Genoa fought over access to the Mediterranean and the salt trade.
Move from former Savoyard territory to former Genoese territory and discover the commune of Cenova, offering a magnificent panorama of the Giara ...
Continue your itinerary towards Rifugio la Terza and enter the Brigasque countryside, still characterized today by small endemic sheep farms.
Drive through the Brigasque countryside towards one of the 3 hamlets that make up the municipality of Briga Alta: Upega, the other 2 being Piaggia ...
Take the road back to Rifugio Mondovì, with its landscapes marked by the salt roads, including the Saline Pass.
Head for Norea, and along the way you'll discover a number of typical Alpine villages with medieval layout, such as Prea, perched around the ...
Finish your hike by heading to the town of Mondovì.
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