Colle di Nava: motorcycle tour between Liguria and Piedmont

Colle di Nava by motorbike is one of the most beautiful roads between Liguria and Piedmont, perfect for a day trip between sea and mountains.

Here is our guide for the stretch of road that connects Garessio, in Piedmont, with Imperia, in Liguria.

Content index

1. Colle di Nava by motorbike
2. The descent to the sea
3. Imperia
4. Do not miss
5. Where to eat and sleep
6. Map and information

Our itinerario was done in motorcycle and we really liked it so much for the very open, sliding corners and for the pleasure of going down to the sea, passing from mountain to marine scents. Obviously it is also a very popular itinerary for those who ride a bike, so always pay close attention to cyclists.

The path to the hill

Let's start with garessio towards ormea e Nava bridge: the road runs fast to the southwest at a fast pace. The corners are very fast and smooth, so it's very easy to find yourself at very high speeds. The peaks on the sides of the road create a splendid setting, such as Mount Mongioie, Pizzo d'Ormeda and the Marguareis massif. In Ponte di Nava you can often meet Pietro Tupputi di Live out, which rents enduro motorcycles and organizes wonderful tours on the famous Via del Sale, a few kilometers from the hill. This small town is also very popular for trekking, horseback riding and mountain biking or sport fishing.

The descent to the sea

Before coming to Colle di Nava, on the left is definitely worth a visit High Centrale, the only one open to the public and well preserved. The other forts, Montescio, Bellarasco, Pozzanghi and Richerno, although not open to visitors, can be reached on foot with a nice walk through the woods. On our descent to Imperia, we make a short stop at Pieve di TecoIn the heart of Arroscia Valley. It is a small village of medieval arcades and religious buildings. In our walking tour we could not avoid entering the local shops, famous for both crafts and typical products, such as cheese, wine andoil.

Plunge into the blue - Imperia

We then arrive in the middle of Riviera Ligure di Ponente and Riviera dei Fiori in a stretch of narrow coast between the Maritime Alps and the Ligurian Sea that continues uninterrupted to the Côte d'Azur. The historic center of Imperia it is formed by the union of two coastal municipalities that in the 20s of the twentieth century merged into a single city. It is about Oneglia and Port Mauritius. In this area of ​​Imperia there is the largest church in the Liguria, Cathedral-Basilica of San Maurizio, together with the Loggia di Santa Chiara with the columns overlooking the sea. On foot you can then discover the Parase, the oldest district, with its picturesque carugi (alleys). The village of Oneglia, built in 800, is perfectly preserved and is shown in all its beauty in Via Bonfante and Piazza Dante.

Do not miss

Villa grock, an architectural masterpiece that belonged to Grock, a world-famous clown who designed the villa in an art deco style with oriental influences. Today it is also the Clown Museum and can be visited.

Where to sleep and eat

Data Room