Saturday, 1st October – It’s official, after 3 years the Madonna del Rosario festival returns to Bonassola: the festival is a visual treat, since it involves candles on the sea (if the waves allow it) and a firework show, and usually is not so crowded, so it is possible to comfortably watch it from the beach ( https://nuovaprolocobonassola.business.site/ ) .
The plan then is to combine the festival with a hike across some of the picturesque hamlets in the Levanto inland. More specifically, let’s visit Fossato, Lizza and Lavaggiorosso: according to https://www.montagnadiviaggi.it/2021/03/escursione-frazioni-levanto-lavaggiorosso-casella-montale.html, it should be a peaceful walk across quaint houses, painted doors and water mills. From Lavaggiorosso, we’ll hike up to Monte Rossola and things will probably be less relaxing (but hopefully not as electrifying as when we went there for the first time! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwRRAMnmxBs ): the ascent will likely be a bit steep, but the reward will be great, as Rossola’s silent and barren peak yields a wonderful 360 degree view over the riviera.
From the peak of Mt Rossola we’ll hike down to Bonassola. Descent is rather steep, so hiking shoes and/or hiking poles are definitely recommended, as they can help a great deal on the way down ( https://www.freesoulontheroad.com/2021/03/sentiero-per-il-monte-rossola-da-levanto/ )
Hike takes around 4 hours, has 600 mt elevation gain and is rated as E (medium).
We’ll arrive in Bonassola around 5 pm, in time for a swim (sea permitting), possibly a 30′ bonus hike to Punta del Carlino (to watch the sunset)… and the festival, of course!
** How to get to Levanto, and how to come back alive: **
On Saturday, 1st October, let’s meet at 11:14 at the entrance of Levanto train station.
If possible, bring some food with you as we’ll be walking mountain-wards and I’m not sure about bakeries along the way.
Suggested trains are:
If you are travelling eastwards:
REG 09:19 Genova Principe (09:28 Genova Brignole) 11:14 Levanto
or
IC 9:47 Genova Principe (9:56 Genova Brignole) 10:58 Levanto
If you are travelling westwards:
REG 10:25 La Spezia – 10:55 Levanto (if you prefer 11:25, just let us know! Ah, for some absurd reason it’s cheaper if you buy it from La Spezia Migliarina, i.e. Trenitalia pays you to travel from Spezia Migliarina to La Spezia Centrale)
If you are travelling southwards:
07:25 Milano Centrale (07:32 Lambrate) Levanto 11:14 (*)
Return will be from Bonassola, around 5-6pm or (if you stay for the festival) around 11:30pm
(*) if you’re coming from afar, you may consider getting the 3 day regional pass for 29 euro.
As usual, if you have doubts, questions, Hamlet-like dilemmas… feel free to message me ( vidlothianATgmailDOTcom ) or call me (+393297203364)
Liguriah 