The painted doors of Valloria on the way out of Dolcedo

Park in the municipal car park known as Parcheggio F. Nerti. This walk follows narrow tracks that are either concrete, dirt or tarmac. There is very little traffic, but caution is advised.

(S/E) On leaving the car park, walk past the closed church and head towards the bridge on the right. Just before the bridge, turn left then right onto Via Littardi, which runs alongside the River Prino.

(1) At the crossroads, turn left onto Rue San Paolo and follow it uphill. At the top of the street, turn right and pass under the town hall building. Go through the gate to reach Piazza San Tommaso, where the church is located (La Chiesa San Tommaso is a must-see)

(2) Take the wide staircase opposite the church, and turn right at the top of the steps onto Via De Amicis, which runs alongside the river known as the Rio dei Boschi.

(3) Turn right at the junction. Cross the old^13th-century ‘Roman-style’ bridge. Below lies an old oil mill. You will come to a crossroads.

(4) Turn left and follow Via Ripalta. The road passes through a vineyard before going under two buildings.

(5) At the fork, turn right then immediately left and follow the concrete track which climbs steeply through olive groves. It is a veritable forest of olive trees. Olives are the only crop grown in the villages visited during this hike. The hillside is covered with neatly aligned terraces, planted with olive trees. Ignore all turn-offs to the right.

Start of "Valloria" signposting

(6) At the fork, continue straight on along the right-hand branch to “Passo della Valle 403m”. Continue straight on. The sign pointing towards “Valloria” has been destroyed.

(7) Continue straight on along the dirt track. Pass a yellowish-coloured chapel below the track. Continue to the crossroads.

(8) Turn left and walk past the wash house.

(9) Enter the village of Valloria opposite through a stone archway. This colourful village is characterised by countless painted doors. You might get a little lost, admiring each painting. Head up towards the upper part of the village where you’ll find Piazza Mario Bottino

(10) Walk along the church wall. Take the descending “Via Garibaldi”. Return to the wash house and the (9) then continue to the (8) you passed earlier.

Follow the signs for “Bellissimi – il paese della mongolfiere”

Return along the route in the opposite direction and reach the junction after the Passo Vella Valte junction.

(6) Turn right. The path continues to descend through the olive groves. Pass a few small stone cottages. Continue to the chapel, which should be visible below in the valley. The site has remained unchanged since the construction of the "Madone dell'Acquasante" chapel in 1888.

End of signposting

(11) Turn left and walk past the chapel. Follow the signs for “Dolcedo”. Take the paved slanting street leading to the tarmac road known as “Via Acquasanta”

(12) Turn left. The road is lined with beautiful, straight terraces.

(13) In the village, leave the road and follow the paved track on the left, which descends, passing under a village house, then runs alongside the church and the square.

(14) Turn left as you leave the village. Go down the track and turn right. At the signpost, follow the signs for Dolcedo along the "Via Orenghi". Along the path known as the “sentiero Balcone Mediterraneo”, ignore the “Billissimi” sign. Continue to the huge oratory. Carry on along the dirt track.

(15) Turn right at the fork, towards Dolcedo. Follow a descending path in poor condition. After about fifty metres, and at the first left-hand bend, turn right onto a paved slanting street towards “Bellissimi”. The path, which is very pleasant, runs alongside a chapel, then crosses an old hamlet, passing beneath an old house surrounded by olive trees.

(16) Cross "Via Castellazzo" with care, and continue straight ahead (ignore the Dolcedo sign). The path climbs along terraces. At the road and the water basin, turn left and immediately take the path on the left, which leads to the church at Bellissimi.

(17) At this point, head left onto "Via Castellazzo" by going down a few steps. Turn left, then immediately right onto "Via Umberto". Numerous murals, scattered throughout the village, depict hot-air balloons in an original style. Get your cameras ready. On the right is another museum of old tools. Continue straight on through the village. Follow the signs for Dolcedo.

(18) Turn left onto "Via Boeri", which is tarmac-surfaced. Follow the signs for "Dolcedo". This road continues as "Via de Amicis".

(3) At the junction on the way there, follow the river, enter Dolcedo and continue straight on until you reach the steps opposite the church.

(2) Walk past the church, go through the gate on the right and pass under the town hall building. Cross "Piazza Doria" and head for the car park, keeping to the left and then to the right (S/E).

Hiking boots and walking poles recommended.

Water available in every village.

Visit to Valoria:

-An open-air museum, or rather a network of secret alleyways with a magnificent collection of painted doors,

-Mario Bottino Square: On this square, the open chapel is a free museum of ‘forgotten’ instruments from a bygone era (well worth a visit).

Bellissini, with its hot-air balloon murals and free museum.

Dolcedo, its narrow streets, its exceptionally decorated Baroque church.

The olive grove.