Alta Via dei Monti Liguri

The Alta Via dei Monti Liguri (AVML) is a demanding yet breathtaking bikepacking route that stretches across Liguria, a stunning coastal region in northwestern Italy. Nestled between the rugged cliffs of the Cinque Terre and the towering Maritime Alps, this journey follows historic military roads, rocky singletrack, and steep alpine paths. Along the way, riders traverse ancient rural settlements, mystical beech forests, imposing fortifications, and dramatic valleys that drop down toward the Ligurian Sea.

Spanning 488 kilometers, the AVML runs parallel to the coast, linking La Spezia in the east to Ventimiglia, a historic border town near France. Originally designed as a trekking route, the Alta Via was officially established in 1983 as a collaboration between the Centro Studi Unioncamere Liguri, the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI), and the Federazione Italiana Escursionismo (FIE). However, its origins trace back even further—post-war reports from the FIE already mapped a nearly identical route between Colle del Giovo and Colle Cento Croci.

The Route Eastern Section - Wild Cliffs & Coastal Trails The eastern AVML features a mix of dirt roads and singletrack trails, weaving through pine forests, chestnut groves, and dense ferns along the breathtaking Levante coast. Here, the Alta Via delle Cinque Terre (AV5T) leads into wilder terrain, offering sweeping views where rocky cliffs plunge into the sea. One of the most spectacular sections is a technical, rocky descent towards the coastal town of Levanto, followed by a unique stretch through a converted railway tunnel before the climb back up to rejoin the AVML.

Central Section - Liguria’s Hidden Heart North of Genoa, the AVML winds through a mix of dirt roads, singletrack, and deserted B-roads, passing through quaint, tucked-away villages in the Ligurian hinterland. This region is defined by lush meadows, deep forests, and rolling hills, a peaceful contrast before the demanding climbs of the western portion.

Western Section - The High Alps & Military Roads As the route progresses westward, the terrain becomes more rugged, transitioning from the final slopes of the Apennines to the vast expanse of the Maritime Alps. Here, the scenery shifts dramatically—moss-covered rocks, ancient lichens, and towering conifers dominate the landscape. A steady dirt-road climb leads to Monte Saccarello, the highest point of the AVML at 2.170 meters and the furthest point from the sea (30 km inland). Near the summit, remnants of military ruins mark the region’s strategic past. On a clear day, you can see Corsica to the southeast and the pyramid-like peak of Monviso (3.841m) to the northwest. From Monte Saccarello, the descent towards the sea follows the historic Via del Sale (Salt Road), an ancient trade route once used to transport goods from the coast to northern Europe. The initially smooth dirt road soon gives way to a challenging alpine singletrack, featuring short exposed sections (see Route Difficulty). This thrilling trail leads to the Gola di Gouta, before a rugged, former military road overlooking the Nervia Valley finally descends into Ventimiglia, marking the end of the AVML.