Colle San Bartolomeo: Mountain Landscape, Trails and Panoramic Views

Colle San Bartolomeo represents a combination of mountain landscapes, historic routes and specific points of reference for hiking and cycling enthusiasts. A historic road from Oneglia to Piedmont passed through Colle San Bartolomeo and followed the Via del Sale. The routes and landscapes combine cultural history with physical activity. The historic connection between Oneglia and Piedmont, the view between the Valle Arroscia and the Valle Impero, and the routes around Monte Guardiabella each provide different points of focus.

Arrival via SS 28 and SP 95

From Genoa, you can reach Colle San Bartolomeo via the SS 28 to the turn-off for Cesio and Colle San Bartolomeo, and then via the SP 95. The SP 95 di Colle San Bartolomeo passes through the settlements of Colle San Bartolomeo and Cesio. For travel from Genoa, this therefore involves a sequence of a main road, a turn-off and then a provincial road.

Monte Guardiabella and the landscape between two valleys

In the wider area around Colle San Bartolomeo, the Monte Guardiabella area contains a hydrogeological tunnel extending from Sgarbu du Ventu to Sorgente Bramosa in the adjacent Valle Impero. The Monte Guardiabella area is a passage and connecting area to the Via Marenca. Colle San Bartolomeo offers a picturesque view between the Valle Arroscia and the Valle Impero. Cattle and goats are kept in the upper part of the municipality of Cesio near Colle San Bartolomeo. The view between the two valleys complements the connection with the Via Marenca by providing a landscape setting.

Local history and memorial site

On older maps, Colle San Bartolomeo was known as Colle San Bernardo; the name derives from a chapel dedicated to Saint Bernard. At the intersection of the SP 21 and SP 20 in Colle San Bartolomeo, there is a memorial plaque commemorating those who fell in the First and Second World Wars.

Walking, cycling and mountain biking

There are several connections for walking and cycling. One walk led from Colle San Bartolomeo to Monte Guardiabella. The Bosco di Rezzo cycling route leads as far as Colle San Bartolomeo. In addition, a mountain-bike route in Parco Alpi Liguri passes through Colle San Bartolomeo as a stage between Colle del Garezzo and Imperia. The routes are therefore not identical in nature: the walk is connected with Monte Guardiabella, while Bosco di Rezzo and the Parco Alpi Liguri mountain-bike route establish different connections with Colle San Bartolomeo. When planning a day, the walk to Monte Guardiabella, the Bosco di Rezzo cycling route and the mountain-bike stage between Colle del Garezzo and Imperia can be treated as separate activities.

More destinations for your trip to Italy

More places for your trip to Italy: Borgomaro, San Lazzaro Reale, Latte, Fanghetto, Berzi, Rocchetta Nervina, Lingueglietta and Borgo Sant'agata.

To the higher-level travel overview: Imperia.