Sanctuary of Caravaggio

Access

From the motorway exit of Recco, turn left towards Uscio. At the church in Uscio, turn right at a hairpin bend and climb up to P.sso Spinarola (approx. 12 km from the toll station - tiny car park)

Introduction

The Two Gulfs Walk: from the Spinarola Pass to the Caravaggio Sanctuary.

Description

The ridge above Uscio is the border between the Golfo Paradiso and the Val Fontanabuona, furrowed by very important paths in the past (salt routes). Parking from the pass for cars is very micro (3 spaces). It is a simple walk that can be called... dei due Golfi, from P.so Spinarola (542 m) to the Caravaggio Sanctuary. This is a section of the itinerary that leads from the Fontanabuona valley to Portofino (in this part also taken by the 'via del mare'). It is a pleasant, partly elevated mule track that slopes slowly down towards P.so del Gallo. Although you are outside the Ente Parco Portofino, there are signs (numbered marker posts at the crossroads). As you walk through the woods, you will notice on the right an unusual vertical dry-stone construction, the meaning of which, however, is not clear...    The ground, being shady, is a little slippery, but still wide.Only in a couple of places do you have to be very careful because of some narrowing... (small landslides!).  When you come out of the forest, there is a  beautiful view that opens up first over the Recco  valley and then on to Rapallo, the Caravaggio Sanctuary and Monte di Portofino. Before the Gallo pass, a path branches off to the left and, if you wish, you could reach the summit of Monte Bello 713 m (but the symbol is very poorly marked). Note the strangeness of how the various maps that can be consulted and the various signposts all show different heights, with differences of up to several metres...;     From the Gallo Pass (478 m - 1h), there is a ruin and even a bench, for a brief rest, as well as a series of wild cherry trees laden with ripening fruit... Here, instead of continuing on the main path, a branch-off is chosen that leads directly to the sanctuary, climbing back up the north side  (marker post). The track is clean and unambiguous, but not marked. It climbs steeply (but briefly) and comes out just behind the holy building  (615m almost 30'). At this point there are no indications so it would be complicated to do it the other way round without specific knowledge... total time just under 1h30.

From the forecourt there is a fine view of Rapallo. The view inland, on the other hand,  ranges from the Manico del Lume  to the Sanctuary of Montallegro. The restaurant is open and you can eat the delicious hot Focacette.... Yum! Too bad there are very few people... the early morning rain discouraged most. The sanctuary is open three times a year: on 1 May, one Sunday in early June and one at the end of September. Dates are always approximate and should be checked again...  For info:  http://www.santamariadelcampo.it/   (first built in the mid-17th century, the latest restoration dates from the late 1960s).

For the return trip, descend the steps, which seem to descend from the sky (!), and at the end ignore the road to Rapallo and continue along a beautiful track that goes round the mountain to "Piane di Caravaggio" (20' -  Marker post). Here we circle the mountain and cut into the woods to recover the morning junction (30')    The altitude of the round trip is low and the heat, given the season, is a little bit noticeable Spring is in its full swing and all around the path there is a sea of flowers... The return journey is a gentle ascent (about 70 metres of altitude difference is not much...) and it takes just over an hour from the Gallo pass to the car. The view sweeps over Uscio, known for the 'Roberto Trebino' Museum of Tower Clocks and the presence of the Arnaldi Colony (slimming and detoxifying herbs in a 10-hectare park). The bridge over the road from P.so Spinarola has been closed since May 2016 (poorly visible and the route towards the Manico del Lume is not recommended and would allow a different type of return route passing under Monte Bello...).   The total return is almost 2h, being a longer development than in the morning).

At the end, decent time, only 200m disl. 3h15 / 3h30 Tot. A and R  diff. T

On the route there were many flower macros (and not only),  so much so that a specific document was made: http://cralgalliera.altervista.org/FioriSentiero2GolfiSpinarolaCaravaggio.pdf    ...to be seen!

Pdf file with over 50 pictures at link    http://cralgalliera.altervista.org/Caravaggio016.pdf

Previous trips in the area (ascent from Camogli):
http://cralgalliera.altervista.org/caravaggio011.pdf      http://cralgalliera.altervista.org/Caravaggio013.pdf

Further info at  link  http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/esc.htm
Photos other trips  http://cralgalliera.altervista.org/altre2016.htm

NB: in case of an excursion, always check with FIE, Cai, eventual Park Authority or other Institutions, pro loco, etc., that there have been no changes that have increased the difficulties! No liability is accepted. This text is purely indicative and not exhaustive.

General information

Trail:
Signposts:trail mostly marked with FIE symbols
Type of route: partially circular
Recommended period: April, May, June, September, October