How do I get to the start in Limone Piemonte?

Limone Piemonte is accessible by train from Turin in Italy (about 1h30 via Cuneo) and directly from Cuneo (30 minutes). From France, Nice is the natural gateway via the Tende tunnel. Allow around 1h30 by car , with a possible connection at Tende to continue by train.

How do I get back from Imperia at the end of the tour?

Imperia Oneglia station is served by the coastal railway line linking Ventimiglia to Genoa (Italy). From there, there are frequent connections nearby to Nice on the French side (via Ventimiglia) or Turin on the Italian side (via Genoa). A significant logistical advantage at the end of a long crossing.

What level of fitness is required for this tour?

This hiking route is classified as very difficult and is aimed at experienced hikers who are used to several days of walking with a steep gradient. Stage 4 (via Marenca – Colle San Bartolomeo) is particularly demanding, covering 36 km and with a significant cumulative difference in altitude . A good level of fitness , suitable equipment and mountain experience are recommended for this walk.

What's the best time of year to go hiking?

The best time to do this tour is from mid-June to mid-September . Before June, some high altitude sections may be snow-covered, particularly around Mount Saccarello. In July and August , the refuges fill up quickly: remember to book several weeks in advance , especially for weekends.

Are there any water refreshment points on the route?

Yes, but they’re far apart. The most critical refreshment point is at the fountain of San Bernardo di Conio, the only source of water on stage 4 (via Marenca – Colle San Bartolomeo), around two-thirds of the way along the route. Be sure to take plenty of water with you, especially at the height of summer. There are also intermediate refuges where you can refuel.

Where to sleep on the route?

The route is well equipped with accommodation. The Don Barbera refuge (stage 1) welcomes hikers and cyclists in a friendly atmosphere. The CAI (Club Alpino Italiano) T.Gauzzi and La Terza huts, perched at almost 2,000 metres at the foot of Mount Saccarel, offer a memorable night at altitude. At Carnino, La Foresteria is a quality stopover. Finally, in Upega, the Locanda di Upega and the La Porta del Sole refuge are well-known local landmarks for hikers in this part of Italy.

Can this walking route link up with other stages of the RivierALP?

Exactly! The hike between Limone Piemonte and Imperia is part of a much wider network. On the French side, it can be combined with stages in the Mercantour Park , notably via the Vallée des Merveilles . On the Piedmont side, it connects with the Tanaro valley via the Orméa rock , a spectacular lookout point between Piedmont and Liguria. And for those who want to start with a wellness break, a stay at one of Italy’s thermal spas (Valdieri, in particular) is ideal before setting off on the trails.

What other hiking opportunities are available from Limone Piemonte?

Limone Piemonte is one of the main departure points for the RivierALP network, and there is no shortage of options. The flagship route is the eight-stage crossing to Menton. And for those who prefer to stay in Liguria, the seven-stage circuit from Limone Piemonte to Sanremo is a good alternative. Two great trails, two atmospheres , but the same pleasure of setting off from Limone to arrive facing the sea.

Why is Imperia also known as Oneglia?

Imperia as we know it today has only existed since 1923. It was then that Mussolini decided to merge four separate communes: Oneglia, Porto Maurizio, Piani and Poggi to create a single town, named Imperia after the Impero torrent that runs through it. Oneglia, on the eastern side, was historically a merchant town focused on the port and the olive oil trade. Porto Maurizio, on the western side, had a more aristocratic character, with its medieval streets and the Basilica of San Maurizio overlooking the sea from its promontory. Despite the merger, the two districts have retained their own identities and customs. This is why the people of Imperia still often refer to themselves as being from Oneglia or Porto Maurizio , depending on which district they come from.

A colourful walk to Imperia

Itinerary Limone Piemonte to Imperia

From the mountains of Piedmont to the Ligurian Sea

Some trails are well worth the effort. And the one from Limone Piemonte to Imperia is clearly one of them. In five stages, this walk takes you down from the peaks of Piedmont to the shores of the Ligurian Sea. All the while crossing two regions of Italy, and several centuries of history. From the Alpes Maritimes to the beautiful Imperia, a merger of the former communes of Oneglia and Porto Maurizio, via Triora, this (very) sporty walk has plenty of surprises in store. On RivierALP, it’s hard to find a route that combines so many landscapes and viewpoints in so few stages.

Getting organised

hiking in figuresLimone Piemonte in Imperia :in figures

Distance: 85.6 kilometres

Duration: 5 days

Type of route : Walking route

Difficulty: Very difficult

Ascent: 3790 m

Negative ascent: 4669 m

Walking in Imperia From Piedmont to Liguria, the long trek to Imperia

From Limone Piemonte, the route gets off to a flying start with a climb to the Don Barbera refuge and its view of the Colle dei Signori. In the heart of the Marguareis nature park, it’s the ideal place to take your first break from hiking. The key? That special feeling of being alone in the world, facing the immensity of the mountains…

The trail then follows the crests of the Haute Route du Sel, an old military road at over 2,000 metres between Piedmont and Liguria. Next stop? Triora, a mysterious village nicknamed the “ village of witches “. A short stroll through the historic centre and you’re already in the Ligurian Alps Regional Nature Park. Between chestnut groves, coniferous forests and hilltop villages, you won’t know where to turn.

The finishing line is the town of Imperia (formerly Oneglia), with its breathtaking views over the Ligurian Sea. Five stages linking the Alps to the sea, crossingNorthern Italy and its mosaic of landscapes. A tour you’ll want to repeat on the RivierALP network!

ItineraryLimone Piemonte in Imperia

Start Limone Piemonte

Stage 1Limone Piemonte → Refuge Don Barbera

Stage 2Don Barbera Refuge → Upega

Step 3Upega → Refuge CAI Sanremo

Step 4CAI Sanremo refuge and La Terza refuge → Colle San Bartolomeo

Step 5Colle San Bartolomeo → Imperia

ArrivalImperia

Cultural heritage to see

Between Baroque chapel and “witches’ village

The tour between Limone Piemonte and Imperia is much more than a sporting excursion. Above all, it’s a journey back to theItaly of yesteryear. And it all starts at the chapel of San Giovanni, a cultural nugget housing an 18th-century painting by Turin painter Claudio Francesco Beaumont. The first highlight of the walk!

Higher up, the military engineering works of Colle della Boaria tell a different story. That of the strategic road between Monesi and the Col di Tenda, with its bends that seem to have been carved out of the rock; a true nineteenth-century feat of engineering. And let’s not forget the Haute Route du Sel, the historic route used for centuries by merchants, soldiers and shepherds between Italy and France.

Below, the monument to the Redeemer on Mount Saccarello keeps a peaceful watch over the ridges. And how can you mention the hike from Limone Piemonte to Imperia without mentioning the famous village of Triora, where Italy’s biggest witchcraft trial took place? As well as this unusual historical fact, the place is also home to a small church with remarkable Renaissance frescoes. A stop-off that’s sure to pique your interest during your hike!

Hiking in Imperia, a town at the crossroads of Oneglia and Porto Maurizio

Imperia, the terminus of this long trek, is a town like no other. Created in 1923 from the merger of Oneglia, Porto Maurizio, Piani and Poggi, it combines four distinct municipalities separated by the Impero torrent and united by their strong Ligurian identity. The tour will take you to Oneglia, famous for its port, marina and olive-growing. Imperia is one of the world capitals of olive oil production, hence the famous Olive Tree Museum.

On the other side, Porto Maurizio is well worth a visit. With its Basilica of Saint-Maurice perched high above the sea and the Naval Museum of Western Liguria, the place tells the maritime history of the region. And for those who want to extend the adventure, head for nearby Villa Grock, former home of the Swiss clown, and its terraced gardens overlooking the Ligurian Sea. When it’s time to put down your rucksack, the Plage d’Oro and the seafront at Oneglia offer what every hiker dreams of after five days’ walking. Sunshine and gentle waves!

Testimonial

“I’m not the type of person to set myself hiking objectives. And yet, when a friend told me about this RivierALP tour between Limone Piemonte and Imperia, I said yes without thinking. 5 days later, I understand why. We start in the Alps, with snow still visible on some ridges, and end up by the Ligurian sea. Along the way, there’s the mysterious village of Triora and the remarkable Pizzo d’Evigno nearby. Not forgetting the colourful facades and picturesque port of Imperia. Although the stages are fairly strenuous, the sea views encourage you to cross the finish line. It’s a tour that richly deserves its reputation!

– Thomas, touring hiker (complete tour completed in September)

View scrollytelling

All you need to know about your walk between Limone Piemonte and Imperia

How do I get to the start in Limone Piemonte?
How do I get back from Imperia at the end of the tour?
What level of fitness is required for this tour?
What's the best time of year to go hiking?
Are there any water refreshment points on the route?
Where to sleep on the route?
The route is well equipped with accommodation. The Don Barbera refuge (stage 1) welcomes hikers and cyclists in a friendly atmosphere. The CAI (Club Alpino Italiano) T.Gauzzi and La Terza huts, perched at almost 2,000 metres at the foot of Mount Saccarel, offer a memorable night at altitude. At Carnino, La Foresteria is a quality stopover. Finally, in Upega, the Locanda di Upega and the La Porta del Sole refuge are well-known local landmarks for hikers in this part of Italy.
Can this walking route link up with other stages of the RivierALP?
Exactly! The hike between Limone Piemonte and Imperia is part of a much wider network. On the French side, it can be combined with stages in the Mercantour Park, notably via the Vallée des Merveilles. On the Piedmont side, it connects with the Tanaro valley via the Orméa rock, a spectacular lookout point between Piedmont and Liguria. And for those who want to start with a wellness break, a stay at one of Italy’s thermal spas (Valdieri, in particular) is ideal before setting off on the trails.
What other hiking opportunities are available from Limone Piemonte?
Limone Piemonte is one of the main departure points for the RivierALP network, and there is no shortage of options. The flagship route is the eight-stage crossing to Menton. And for those who prefer to stay in Liguria, the seven-stage circuit from Limone Piemonte to Sanremo is a good alternative. Two great trails, two atmospheres, but the same pleasure of setting off from Limone to arrive facing the sea.
Why is Imperia also known as Oneglia?
Imperia as we know it today has only existed since 1923. It was then that Mussolini decided to merge four separate communes: Oneglia, Porto Maurizio, Piani and Poggi to create a single town, named Imperia after the Impero torrent that runs through it. Oneglia, on the eastern side, was historically a merchant town focused on the port and the olive oil trade. Porto Maurizio, on the western side, had a more aristocratic character, with its medieval streets and the Basilica of San Maurizio overlooking the sea from its promontory. Despite the merger, the two districts have retained their own identities and customs. This is why the people of Imperia still often refer to themselves as being fromOneglia or Porto Maurizio, depending on which district they come from.