From the coast you will travel up a deep valley formed by the Argentina torrente (an alpine river), which opens up as a curved furrow through a variety of different landscapes. From the dry rocky hills above the coast, to the rows of terraces and olive trees in the near hinterland, thereafter meeting up with the forested valleys and eventually to the lime stone cliffs. Mt. Saccarello is the highest peak in Liguria and at 2200m it dominates the valley.
Dotted along the steep hillsides are many medieval villages. The first being Badalucco which although has retained its charm with its narrow cobbled passageways and ornate churches is also a bustling town. Nestled on a hill just past Badalucco is Montalto Ligure. Here the alleys and passageways get even steeper and narrower and we don’t know of anyone that hasn’t got lost in this wonderful maze.
After passing a number of other hillside villages we reach our base Molini di Triora, a delightful little village with twenty-three watermills along the banks of the Argentina and Capriolo rivers. Many of our downhill trails finish here so it is an ideal base and there are a selection of bars, restaurants. You will meet many friendly local folk always ready with a friendly Ciao or Salve.
Above Molini are the neighbouring hamlets of Andagna and Corte. Triora a mountain ridge village just above Molini is located on the foothills Mt. Saccarello and is also known as the Ville della Streghe (Town of Witches). Here in the early 1500’s the final inquisition of witches was held in Italy and Triora now has a museum to commemorate. .
Throughout the seasons each villages has a festa, which involves a lot of eating, drinking and dancing, festas are great fun and a great way to get to know the locals. Every year Molini di Triora hosts the "sagra delle lumache" (the snail festival) and Triora hosts the gastronomic “sagra degli funghi” (mushroom festival) to name but a few.
There are many more villages along the Val Argentina as well as the surrounding valleys and hills far too many to list) and you will be introduced to them during your stay.
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Our base - MOLINI DI TRIORA

A Typical Village Street

Badalucco

Corte with Triora and Molini in the distance |