Hiking Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
Distance: 6.52 kilometers (4.05 miles)
Elevation Gain: 530 meters (1739 feet)

This is a short but intense route across scenic ridgelines.

Starting from Case Becco, look for the trail marker with three red dots arranged in a triangle and ascend the steep ridge of Monte Becco through the heather. After about 160 meters (525 feet) of elevation gain, you will reach a secondary peak, and, shortly after, the actual summit. At this point in the 1800s, tragic events took place between the Napoleonic troops, allies of Genoa, and the Austrian army, allies of the people of Fontanabuona. The steep cliffs of Monte Becco that face east are in fact known as "Ria dei Mille Morti" (Stream of a Thousand Dead). Near the path, you can still see some trenches and a small tunnel where it seems a cannon was hidden.

Following the ridgeline between the Bisogno Valley and the Fontanabuona Valley, you will reach Monte Bado, whose northern slopes, in spring, are covered with daffodils. The steep descent leads us to the Bado Pass, a crossroads of several hiking trails and an important historical junction. We are near the sources of the Lentro, one of the main tributaries of the Bisogno River.

Our route proceeds west, gaining altitude on the opposite side of the valley up to a small pass called "e scagge." From here, proceeding along the ridge, you will reach, in 15 minutes, the summit of Monte Croce dei Fò, one of the most evocative and panoramic peaks of the entire Golfo Paradiso area.

Returning to our steps, we arrive again at the Bado Pass. On the right, the return road branches off halfway up the slope and with a slight descent, trail marker three red dots arranged in a line. This last section also coincides with the "Via del Mare" (red-white-red flag with the letters VM), an important hiking route that connects Milan and Pavia with the Ligurian coast of Portofino and Santa Margherita.

Hiking Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Distance: 3.89 kilometers (2.42 miles)
Elevation Gain: 262 meters (860 feet)

This route winds through an area called "Fascia Mountain," which shows traces of human presence since the Ligurian Neolithic period (around 1000 BC). The area was used for grazing and mowing by the Ligurian people, and was one of the first to be converted to pasture throughout the regional arc.

From the now abandoned Case Becco, ascend a mule track that soon leads to a sea view through a small hill carved into the ridge. From this point, turn right and follow the ridge of Mounts Uccellato, Pram, and Possuolo. The route is extremely panoramic, and on clear days you can see the islands to the south and the Alps to the west and north.

Reaching the Arpa! weather station on Mount Possuolo, descend to the pass of the same name (on asphalt), the Bocchin di Pozzuolo. Cross the road and, keeping slightly to the left, reach an ancient mule track now marked with a white-red flag bearing the inscription ISC (Colombian Historical Itinerary). This ancient road was used by the people of Fontanabuona to embark on Genoese ships bound overseas, but it originated centuries earlier as a Via Romea – a pilgrimage route to Rome. A little further on, in fact, you pass alongside the ruins of an ancient shelter for pilgrims called "Hospitalis di Pozzuolo," currently being recovered by an association from Sori. Continuing on a comfortable, flat path, the loop closes at the Case Becco pass.

Hiking Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Distance: 10.2 kilometers (6.34 miles)
Elevation Gain: 726 meters (2382 feet)

This hike offers a glimpse into the agricultural, forestry, and pastoral activities of these places, which were never easy due to the steep slopes and always facing the vastness of the waters, down there at the bottom. The character of the Ligurian people has its roots in these lands!

At the starting point, Case Cornua, a butcher shop still survives. This commercial establishment tells of a time when meat in Genoa was subject to duty. Butcher shops were then established on the borders of the municipality to offer products from nearby farms, particularly those in Fontanabuona, outside the tax imposed by Genoa. In past centuries, bread produced by bakers in Valfontanabuona and destined for shops in Genoa also passed along this road.

From the Cappella degli Alpini, follow the trail marker with two vertical red lines and, heading south, follow the panoramic ridge between the Recco and Sori valleys. We are in the "granaries" area of Sori. In fact, wheat and cereals were grown in these large fields on the ridge, and in the less sunny or steeper areas, space was left for another source of flour: the chestnut.

Reaching the summit of S. Uberto, turn right and descend along a steep and obvious path to San Bartolomeo, where the milder climate gives way to olive groves, still in use today, and horticultural crops. Just before reaching the village, turn right towards Case Rupanego. Reaching the church of Capreno, in the middle of the cultivated fields, our path, now marked with a red X, rises again towards Case Cornua, gradually passing from olive groves to chestnut woods. The chestnuts of Nosiglia are famous in autumn for the size of the fruit. The loop closes at the panoramic Cappella degli Alpini, located at the head of the Sori valley.

Hiking Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
Distance: 12.9 kilometers (8 miles)
Elevation Gain: 985 meters (3232 feet)

This is a loop itinerary for the most demanding and well-trained hikers. The 12-kilometer route includes an elevation gain of almost a thousand meters!

The itinerary starts from the center of Sori, at the Pro Loco tourist office. Follow the stream for about three kilometers, along the famous Via Giordani to the town of Lago. From this point, the mule track, marked with three red dots, climbs through olive groves until reaching the panoramic churchyard of the Canepa church. There is little asphalt, and on the right, a staircase branches off which soon leads near the ridge and gains altitude, crosses the municipal road again and continues to climb to the Croce area. This is a crossroads from which it is possible to reach Levò to the left and Case Cornua to the right. Here the toughest part of the entire climb awaits us, but it is very scenic, up to Case Becco.

Near the Chapel of Case Becco, abandon the three red dots trail marker and turn left. Reaching a small incision on the ridge, you will find yourself on the sea side of the Uccellato, Pram, and Possuolo mountains. You will cross a natural amphitheater overlooking the Sori valley and the Golfo Paradiso until you reach the saddle called Cian da Cola (from which it is possible to reach Teriasca). Keeping near the ridge, you will reach the Cramoexi hill and resume the short climb to Monte di Santa Croce. The meadow in front of the church dominates Pieve Ligure and the entire Gulf from Punta Chiappa to the first districts of Genoa.

Descend along the steep Via Crucis and, reaching an asphalt road, near a bend, descend some concrete stairs and walk through a beautiful holm oak forest until you reach a sign indicating a steep descent to Sori on the right. Passing near the highway viaduct, you reach the municipal road for Teriasca and descend to Sori.

Hiking Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Distance: 9.8 kilometers (6.1 miles)
Elevation Gain: 755 meters (2477 feet)

This itinerary winds through olive groves and Mediterranean scrub overlooking the Golfo Paradiso. Well sheltered from the cold Padan winds and exposed to the warmth of the Ligurian Sea, this route is particularly suitable for the cold season.

From the Sori Station, cross the Aurelia road and ascend towards the small church dedicated to San Rocco. Taking Via Dante Alighieri, you climb through cultivated fields and olive groves until you reach the indication for the Saracen Tower. A 200-meter deviation will bring you to this ancient artifact, probably dating back to the 16th century and used for spotting pirate ships.

Returning, follow the Sentiero Liguria for a short distance to the Serraglio, from where you turn right and, following the trail marker with three red dots, you reach Ageno through olive trees and Mediterranean scrub. The same trail marker leads us to cross the path coming from Recco and heading to Sant'Uberto (trail marker a red circle crossed by a line). With a detour of just over 300 meters, it is possible to descend to visit the small church of the Ascension in the Recco area.

Returning uphill, the new trail marker leads us first to a panoramic clearing called Sullagà (Saagaà in dialect), then to the slopes of M. Castellaro, and finally to Sant'Uberto, where a chapel and a gigantic statue dedicated to the Redeemer are built. Always staying on the ridge, descend south and reach Sant'Apollinare and again the small church of San Rocco.

Hiking Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
Distance: 18.3 kilometers (11.4 miles)
Elevation Gain: 1233 meters (4045 feet)

This mid-valley itinerary strings together all the villages perched on the Sori heights, a deep dive into authentic Ligurian life!

Our loop begins on the Sori seafront, passes the Oratory of Sant'Erasmo, and, following the trail marker two red squares, reaches the square of Pieve Alta. Next to the church of Pieve, a steeply rising asphalt road takes us towards the locality of Chiappe, but just before, at a bend, a staircase branches off which becomes a beautiful path, entirely in the woods, and, halfway up the slope, takes us to the hamlet of Teriasca.

The churchyard and the Church of Teriasca deserve a short stop. To the left of the church, the old pedestrian road starts, which descends gently towards Cortina. At this point, leave the mule track that would descend to Sori on the right and, keeping at altitude, first intersect the Sori-Torriglia path to then enter the Quasego valley.

Leaving the valley, you will find yourself at a gas pipeline that you ascend for about ten minutes until you meet the sign for Levò to the right. Abandon the gas pipeline and, from the scrub, enter the chestnut grove until you reach the hamlet of Levò, after crossing a couple of streams. Among the houses, the small path branches off to the right, which descends steeply and quickly leads to Canepa. In this hamlet, too, the church, the churchyard, and the panorama that can be enjoyed from here deserve a stop. In this hamlet it is also possible to have a meal.

From the church square, ignore the three red dots trail marker and descend a mule track behind the church until you meet the signs for Sussisa. The mule track enters the valley until it crosses the Sussisa stream with the beautiful Romanesque stone bridge. Move to the other side and, passing under the inhabited areas of Camporotondo and Sussisa, descend to Fulle. A hamlet dedicated in ancient times to the grinding of products grown in the valley: cereals, chestnuts, and olives. Here in Fulle you can admire the Mill: outside there is the iron wheel assembled as the technology of the time allowed, that is, without any welding but only with iron bolts ("it took two sacks of bolts," recalls Mario Olcese, owner of the Mill) recovered thanks to the help of all the inhabitants of the valley. Inside there is the oil press dated 1895 and the millstone for wheat. Today the Mill grinds wheat for a production of fresh pasta for a local pasta factory.

The mule track climbs again to reach, in short, Capreno, immersed in the olive groves. From the church of Capreno, take a small road, indicated with the red X trail marker, which takes us first to Rupanego and then downhill to the center of Sori.