Pianazzo: Hiking, Cycling and Historic Sites

Stage routes through valleys and landscapes

The 20th stage of the Sentiero Liguria runs from Bardino Vecchio via Tovo San Giacomo, Pianazzo and Verzi to Boissano. Pianazzo is therefore part of a longer hiking stage. This connection is of interest if you are planning your trip not just around a single place to stay, but around a sequence of stage destinations. On the route through the Giustenice Valley, the trail continues uphill to San Lorenzo after Pianazzo. Giustenice lies in the narrow valley of the Torrente Scarincio, which is rich in olive groves and fruit trees.

Different route profiles for cyclists

Cyclists face different levels of difficulty. Within the municipality of Giustenice, the “Anello del Giogo di Giustenice” route covers 13,564 metres. The “Strada x carmo - pianazzo” route is 7.3 kilometres long, includes around 239 metres of elevation gain and is considered moderately difficult. The southern approach to the Giogo di Giustenice follows an unpaved road and is considered a long, very steep and strenuous mountain route for well-trained cyclists. If you are travelling by bike, you should therefore not apply the moderate difficulty rating of the first route to the southern approach.

Architecture and medieval origins

The Chiesa dei Santi Lorenzo e Michele is a three-aisled building with square pillars, pointed brick arches and square apses with groin vaults. A spacious chapel is integrated into the church. It was founded in the 12th century and forms the original core of today’s parish church. Admission to the Chiesa dei Santi Lorenzo e Michele is free. This allows you to observe architectural forms and medieval origins together in a specific building.

Castles and elevated ruins

Castello Del Carretto was built or rebuilt at the beginning of the 13th century. The ruins stand on an extensive elevated area and overlook the routes into the valley. The Castello dei Doria castle is also located in the vicinity of Pianazzo. This gives visitors interested in culture the opportunity to explore different historical themes: the construction history of Castello Del Carretto, its elevated ruin site and the castle near Pianazzo.

Planning your time in Pianazzo around your interests

If you are looking for a hotel in Pianazzo, you can decide on the focus of your trip early on. The town is associated with a hiking stage, routes for different cycling profiles and specific examples of religious and medieval architecture. For your planning, this means comparing your preferred daily schedule with the type of activity you want to make the focus of your trip. A stage of the Sentiero Liguria, a moderately difficult route, a very steep mountain route and a visit to historic buildings each require a different allocation of your time.

Further destinations for planning your trip

If you would like to compare Pianazzo with other places, also discover Teglia, Casanova Lerrone, Piana Crixia, Castelvecchio Di Rocca Barbena, Borghi, Voze, Vezzi Portio and Vendone.

For the broader travel overview: Savona.