From Isolabona to Roccheta Nervina via Monte Morgi

The village of Isolabona has a large car park. Coming from Ventimiglia, turn right at the second bridge and park in one of the two spaces.

(S/E) Walk past the sports facilities and head towards the village, which has only one entrance on this side. Slip beneath the houses; the tone is set, and you’ll be charmed by the old streets. At^{the first} junction, turn left then right (onto Via Guila). From this square, walk past the religious buildings and turn right onto Via Emilio Vaziano. Continue straight on, admiring the old stone buildings, until you reach the bridge crossing the River Nerva.

(1) Turn right along Via Roma, walk past a few houses and the river, and reach number 165. Take in some views of the village.

(2) Turn left onto Via Monti. The climb begins immediately. After a few metres between the houses, you’ll find an ancient path, made of stones, sometimes paved slanting streets, certainly not in very good condition, but which you’ll follow all the way to the summit. The first sweeping views of the village are here.

(3) Turn left at the junction onto the concrete path and follow it to the next crossroads.

(4) Turn right onto the track and, shortly after, on the bend to the left, you’ll see a cairn, which marks the start of the path. This runs alongside the walls of terraced fields and properties. To the left lies a wild valley; to the right, a few hibiscus plantations and a beautiful olive grove. Stay on the path until you come out onto a track.

(5) Walk along the stone wall on the right. Above it, there is a house. The path deteriorates for about fifty metres; it is just dirt. This deterioration is due to the presence of a large number of wild boars. Continue to the gravel track.

(6) Turn right and, after about fifty metres, turn left onto the road which you must follow.

(7) At the cairn, take the hairpin bend to the right. The path winds again. Continue to the track.

(8) Cross it and head straight ahead. Stay on the path until the next junction.

(9) At the cairn, take the ridge line to the right. Enjoy the panoramic view, taking in the coastline with views of Dolceacqua. Then walk upthe road for about a hundred metres.

(10) Turn right at the junction onto the path which, after winding its way, passes between a farmhouse and a dwelling. Make sure you close the gates properly; wild boars are destroying everything. Continue for a few metres along the road.

(11) Turn right onto the path, which is covered in a thick layer of leaves. After a few bends, a sign points to Monte Morgi; continue until you reach the road.

(12) Walk up the road for about a hundred metres, then at the wayside shrine, take the path on the left.

(13) At the cairn, climb the hillock; the rest of the wooded path is directly opposite

(14) At the Mont Morgi sign, turn right and follow the track. At the first junction, veer left to finally reach the pass – well deserved.

(15) Take the path on the right and keep going straight on. Walk along the side of Mont Morgi until the next junction.

(16) Take the path on the left, which is somewhat hidden by the vegetation. Be careful not to go straight on, which is tempting. Follow the long, wooded ridge line – a very pleasant walk – until you reach a large slab of rock about thirty metres long.

(17) Take the wooded track and follow it straight ahead for about 4.5 km until you find a sign, nailed to a tree, marked in white and red, indicating the entrance to the path located below the track.

(18) Take this path, which was built by hand. It is a proper mountain path with very tight bends, a remarkable feat of engineering by our ancestors.

(19) At the crossroads, turn right, then immediately left about twenty metres further on. You can hear the Nervina river flowing. The surroundings and the green colour of the water delight hikers. Cross three stone bridges dating back several hundred years. In summer, these pools are ideal for a swim. Continue along this path, known as the "Anello Rocchetta Nervina", which runs alongside the Chapel of Saint Lucy. Enter the village via Via Santa Lucia, continuing straight on until you reach a side street.

(20) Turn right, then left onto Via Roma. Cross the Roman bridge. The waters of the Barbaira stream are magnificent. Enter this shopping area. Take a well-deserved break before resuming the hike. Continue to the corner by the post office and take the steps leading down to the bridge over the stream. Cross the bridge and continue along Via Chiara Raimondi, with mostly uncultivated gardens on your right, until you reach a left-hand bend and Via Umberto I.

(21) Turn right onto the stone path and right again after crossing the bridge, which also dates from a bygone era. A sign points to Isolabona. The path follows the water’s edge, then heads into the woods.

(22) At the sign for Isolabona, head right for a few metres until you reach an unusual pathhead.

(23) Leave the track and climb up to the left. Be careful, as the start of the path is quite high up. You need to climb about 2 metres, and the two ropes serving as handrails are very useful. Continue through this cool woodland area on the path, which is built with natural steps, paving stones and is a monumental feat of engineering. Continue until you reach the road.

(24) Walk up the steep concrete road to the hairpin bend.

(25) Turn right onto a path that is slightly obscured by vegetation. Continue to the ridge and reach a fork.

(26) At the signpost, turn left towards Isolabona. Follow the tree-lined ridge, sheltered from the sun. Pass a ruin. The path is once again worn down by animals, but a few red markings help you stay on course.

(27) Pass to the left of the house, follow the track which is in poor condition, and rejoin the path taken on the way up at the pass.

(15) At the track junction, take the opposite route, straight ahead, to Via Roma.

(2) At Via Roma, turn left, then take the road bridge to reach the car park (S/E).

Before heading back along the route towards Isolabona, a few tips: during the descent, you’ll notice a number of red markers, used for navigation, which you may not have spotted on the way up. At every junction of paths or roads, take the time to check your bearings; some places look similar and it’s easy to head off in the wrong direction.

There are a few signposts, but many are in poor condition.

Walking poles and hiking boots are recommended.

There are a few shops in both villages.

Drinking water is available in the villages, but there is no water along the route.

Swimwear.

Pruning shears may come in handy.

The two villages you pass through.

The old stone bridges and the water of the torrents