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Long Distance Hiking recommended route Multi-day route Long Distance Hiking  · Alps

The Salt Routes: The Smugglers' Route

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Metropole Nice Côte d'Azur Verified partner 
  • Cover Volume 3 - The Salt Routes: The Smugglers' Route
    Cover Volume 3 - The Salt Routes: The Smugglers' Route
    Photo: Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur

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    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.

    moderate
    Distance 117.4 km
    40:05 h
    5,790 m
    5,389 m
    2,318 m
    0 m

    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

    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    2,318 m
    Lowest point
    0 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
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    Track types

    Show elevation profile

    Safety 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 

    Roadbook

     Marking on hiking trail poles with the "Salt Route" logo.

    Rest stop
    Tip
    Nearby
    Top Partner
    Waypoint
    Start point
    End point
    Low point
    High point
    Forecast
    Today {low} to {high} and {precipitation} of {precipitation_type}
    show {x} more
    Photo
    Video
    Parco Naturale del Marguareis
    LO STUDIO' DI PIAZZA
    Parco Naturale del Marguareis
    NUOVO PARK HOTEL
    COMMERCIO
    Shuttle Wood
    Carnino
    Rifugio La Terza
    Rif. Mondovi
    HOTEL VILLA CINZIA

    Public transport

    Within Imperia, public transport is provided by the Riviera Trasporti network.

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    The Salt Routes: The Smugglers' Route

    Directions

    • Imperia is accessible by train or car.
    • Consider carpooling. 

    Coordinates

    DD
    43.887744, 8.044685
    DMS
    43°53'15.9"N 8°02'40.9"E
    UTM
    32T 423264 4859848
    w3w 
    ///strike.unusually.historic
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Book recommendation by the author

    Book recommendations for this region:

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    Localization

    Parts of this content were machine translated from French.

    User Questions

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    I'm looking for simple bed and breakfast accommodation for one person at the end of the first stage of La route des contrabandiers. I can only find large houses and flats for rent for multiple people.

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    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    117.4 km
    Duration
    40:05 h
    Ascent
    5,790 m
    Descent
    5,389 m
    Highest point
    2,318 m
    Multi-stage route Scenic Refreshment stops available Cultural/historical interest Geological highlights Flora Fauna Summit route 'Healthy climate'

    Weather at the starting point

    10-day forecast

    Statistics

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    Features
    Maps and trails
    recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 1
    Distance 19 km
    Duration 5:30 h
    Ascent 844 m
    Descent 483 m

    From the Italian shores of the Mediterranean, on the Ligurian coasts, discover the city of Imperia, formerly called Oneglia, a major smuggling ...

    No ratings (yet)
    from Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur,   Metropole Nice Côte d'Azur
    recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 2
    Distance 17.7 km
    Duration 5:00 h
    Ascent 753 m
    Descent 862 m

    In the 1670s, the States of Savoy and the Republic of Genoa disputed access to the Mediterranean and the salt trade.

    No ratings (yet)
    from Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur,   Metropole Nice Côte d'Azur
    recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 3
    Distance 4.3 km
    Duration 1:45 h
    Ascent 394 m
    Descent 63 m

    Move from former Savoyard territory to former Genoese territory and discover the commune of Cenova, offering a magnificent panorama of the Giara ...

    No ratings (yet)
    from Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur,   Metropole Nice Côte d'Azur
    recommended route Difficulty difficult Stage 4
    Distance 16.6 km
    Duration 6:45 h
    Ascent 1,708 m
    Descent 245 m

    Continue your route towards Rifugio la Terza and enter the Brigasque Land, still characterized today by small herds of endemic sheep.

    No ratings (yet)
    from Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur,   Metropole Nice Côte d'Azur
    recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 5
    Distance 14.6 km
    Duration 4:00 h
    Ascent 506 m
    Descent 1,188 m

    Move into the Brigasque country towards one of the 3 hamlets forming the municipality of La Briga Alta: Upega, the other two being Piaggia and ...

    No ratings (yet)
    from Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur,   Metropole Nice Côte d'Azur
    recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 6
    Distance 11.9 km
    Duration 5:30 h
    Ascent 1,271 m
    Descent 871 m

    Take the route towards Rifugio Mondovì, with its landscapes marked by the passage of salt routes, where you can notably observe the Col des Salines.

    No ratings (yet)
    from Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur,   Metropole Nice Côte d'Azur
    recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 7
    Distance 14.5 km
    Duration 3:30 h
    Ascent 0 m
    Descent 1,094 m

    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 ...

    No ratings (yet)
    from Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur,   Metropole Nice Côte d'Azur
    recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 8
    Distance 18.1 km
    Duration 4:30 h
    Ascent 282 m
    Descent 560 m

    Complete your hike by heading to the town of Mondovì.

    No ratings (yet)
    from Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur,   Metropole Nice Côte d'Azur
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