Track N. 1 (From Porto Venere to Levanto) – Photo: Club Alpino Italiano Sez. della Spezia
Access
From Porto Venere, in Piazza Basteri, can be reached by car or bus line 11 or P, or with the ferry from La Spezia or Lerici.
Duration
2 hours
Difficulty
Medium
Notes
Best known track because highlighted by C.A.I. as connection between Porto Venere and Levanto. The first part is in the territory of the Regional National Park of Porto Venere.
Route
From Piazza Basteri, take the steps behind the Castle after a steep walk in the Mediterranean scrub at 200 m above sea level; at the Cava Canese crossroads (see variable 1). Continue going right, until the Mortea hamlet, where small buildings indicate the Muzzerone Refuge Here there is hospitality and refreshments. Passing the refuge, continue on the track, between areas of scrubland, to a winding curve on the paved road, descending to Sella Derbi. The track continues upward along sheer drops to the sea, crossing the area of Pitone (which in dialect means panoramic view), there are jagged spurs rich with rocky vegetation from which the magnificent view ranges from the islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto to the coast of the Cinque Terre. Continue along the sea slope of Mount Castellana until you encounter the paved road. Having crossed it, set off on the track in the pine forest till you reach, after the sports ground, the village of Campiglia, where the tracks from the direction of the Gulf of La Spezia converge.
Alternative route
Near Cava Canese continue straight ahead in a steep climb to the Fortress Muzzerone from where you can admire a fantastic view over the climbing area. From here you can descend along the curved paved road until you reach Sella Derbi in the creek of Le Grazie, from where there is a connection with the # 1 C.A.I. main trail. From Sella Derbi it is possible to follow the inward slope of Mount Castellana following the Alta Via del Golfo (AVG).
Circular Route around Palmaria Island
Martina Track (From Le Grazie to Porto Venere)
Woodland Track (From Fezzano to Track N.1)