La Foce – Hiking Routes, Defensive Structures and Cultural Sites

La Foce combines historic defensive structures with paths that branch off in different directions.

Defensive History at the Pass

Tagliata della Foce is located at La Foce Pass on the Via Aurelia, at an elevation of 285 m. It is part of a defensive system built at the end of the 19th century to protect the La Spezia Arsenal.

Forte Macè is located in La Foce. It was built in 1889 to protect the La Spezia Arsenal from attacks by land. At Ristorante La Gira, there is also a centuries-old holm oak (Quercus ilex), one of the monumental trees of the Liguria region.

Routes between La Foce and the Gulf

One stage of the Alta Via del Golfo begins in La Foce at the monument to Giuseppe Mazzini. At La Foce Pass, the Chiappa–Marinasco–Foce circular route leaves the Alta Via del Golfo via the Via Genova towards La Spezia. La Foce is therefore established both as the start of a stage and as a point along the course of a circular route.

After Marinasco, the Chiappa–Marinasco–Foce circular route follows the Alta Via del Golfo towards Portovenere. Another route, La Foce–Riomaggiore, passes through mixed woodland and then reaches the scenic spur with the church and cemetery of Carpena. If you prefer different landscapes, this creates a clear planning distinction: one route section is defined by its direction and its course along the Alta Via, while the other is defined by the woodland and the scenic spur of Carpena. When choosing a path, La Foce Pass, the Via Genova and the mixed woodland represent different route characteristics.

Cultural Sites in the Surrounding Area

The archaeological site Sito archeologico del Castello di Carpena is located in the surrounding area of La Foce. Also nearby are the Museo Nazionale dei Trasporti, the Amedeo Lia Museum and Castello di San Giorgio. These four destinations extend the perspective beyond the routes and give a trip to La Foce additional cultural and historical points of reference.

Choose Accommodation Based on Your Travel Interests

When choosing accommodation in La Foce, the paths at the pass or the historic structures may take priority depending on your plans for the day. The routes suit an itinerary that includes hiking, woodland and different directions, while Tagliata della Foce and Forte Macè illustrate the history of the La Spezia Arsenal in different ways. The holm oak, as well as the archaeological site, the two museums and the castle in the surrounding area, round out this selection with natural and cultural interests.

Other Places

For your further travel planning: Arcola, Mattarana, Fiascherino, Cavanella Vara, Carrodano, Rocchetta Di Vara, Rio, Varese Ligure.

For the broader travel overview: La Spezia.