Mount Carmo di Carrega is a peak of the Ligurian Apennines located within the Antola Regional Natural Park, at an altitude of 1640 metres above sea level.
Located on the borders of Liguria, Piedmont and Emilia-Romagna, Monte Carmo straddles the Trebbia, Borbera, Boreca and Terenzone Valleys.
We set off by car from Liguria, then drove to Capanne di Carrega, in Piedmont, where we embarked on our hike to Mount Carmo.
This is a short hike with no particular technical difficulties, so it is also suitable for children.
In an estimated time of 50 minutes (we took an hour), it allows us to reach the summit of Mount Carmo, one of the highest and most scenic peaks in the Ántola chain.
In this article you will find all the information you need to plan an excursion to Monte Carmo and, if lucky like us, have lunch very close to the cows (alternatively, there is an excellent agriturismo at the foot of the mountain).
Mount Carmo and lunch among the cows: technical specifications
Departure: Capanne di Carrega 1363 metres
Arrival: Mount Carmo 1640 metres
Length: 2,400 km (one way)
Height difference in ascent: 300 metres
Time: 0.50/1h00 uphill, 0.35 downhill
Signposts: two full yellow rhombuses, two full yellow circles, route 200 of the CAI of Novi Ligure
Route
Park near the Capanne di Carrega holiday farm and take the cart track to the left of the farm. Shortly after, you go through a fence gate and enter the beech wood.
The path is wide and climbs steadily; it is not a particularly strenuous climb, but if it has just rained, you may find mud. Hiking boots are indispensable.
After about 45 minutes, we finally leave the forest and proceed on the grassy ridge which, still climbing, leads to the summit cross of Monte Carmo in about 15 minutes .
This last section also presents no danger to children but, especially towards the summit, the path narrows and one must proceed in single file.
Just below the cross, we found some cows grazing. Cautiously, we bypassed them and continued towards the summit.
From the summit of Monte Carmo you have a vast panorama of the surrounding area: you can see the Po Valley and, behind it, the snow-capped Alps, the Ligurian mountains among which we recognised the peak of Monte Antola, the promontory of Portofino, and, on a clear day, even Corsica. Truly beautiful!
We returned from the car by retracing the outward path.
How to get to Capanne di Carrega
To reach Capanne di Carrega from Genoa, take the SS45 and follow the signs for Torriglia. Then continue to Propata ➔ Casa del Romano ➔ Capanne di Carrega, for a total of about 1h30 minutes. There is free parking on the road near the farmhouse of the same name.
To get to Capanne di Carrega from Val Borbera, you must pass Cabella Ligure ➔ Carrega Ligure and finally reach ➔ Capanne di Carrega.
Attention: road interrupted due to landslide so at the moment (August 2023), Capanne di Carrega cannot be reached from Val Borbera.
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Agriturismo Capanne di Carrega – Excellent home cooking. Menu is fixed and includes 2 starters, 2 first courses, 2 second courses with side dish, 2 desserts, coffee and drinks included.
The price is just under €30.00. The agriturismo is only open on Saturdays and Sundays and reservations are compulsory, otherwise there is a risk of not finding a place.
Continue reading:
1. Excursion to Monte Antola with children
2. Mount Gifarco and the sword in the rock
