Castagna Trail (E-bike)
First E-Bike journey of our career as “writers”!
Luca has a Haibike fullseven 5.0 with Yamaha PW-ST engine, built-in 500 Wh battery, while Vale, being in possession of scrap metal bequeathed by Napoleon, must rent it. For this service we recommend Hot Bikes in Via Nazario Sauro 39 – Pietra Ligure (info and availability 340/4574928).
The most convenient starting point for us is the Colibrì di Luca Residence, which has recently installed an area dedicated to recharging bikes at the parking lot, with a special rack and a QR Code panel that provides ideas and information on possible itineraries in area. We enter after a few meters along the Via Aurelia, in Via Sant’Isidoro and then in Via Delle Vignasse, passing through Monte Carmelo and exiting at Borgo Castello. From here we begin to climb towards the hinterland for about 5 km of asphalt. We pass the Borgata Chiesa di Verzi, near a sharp bend, follow the signs for the “Refuge”, leaving the parish church behind us.
We continue through Castagnabanca where we meet a curious space used as a museum of traditions and peasant, rural and mountain tools: “Cascina il Baffo”, a solitary dwelling located in the middle of the wood, between chestnut trees and springs. From here, reaching the Castagna car park is an instant. Let’s take a breather and begin our downhill adventure. This is the first real trail we do in full, so we are very suspicious and use the brakes often. (I know it’s not done … but at least our indications are certainly more precise :-p)
The first impact is certainly very positive, it is a fun and fast route, very well maintained and worked ad hoc by local trail builders. There are passages between trees and undergrowth that are really exciting, spectacular to say the least. In at least a quarter of an hour of descent, however, the scenario changes drastically; the slope increases and the soft ground of foliage gives way to rocks and some challenging passages where, we are not ashamed to say it, we get off the saddle and carry the bike by hand. Also called Rock Garden, this stretch for us is a bit demanding and since we care about the skin (and Vale to the bike, which is not his), we leave it to those who are more experienced than us.
Getting it by pushing the E-bike is not a laugh, eh! nothing but fun! After the rocky segment we take a short stretch on a dirt road where, towards the end, the path joins the final part of the iconic Karma Trail (signs on the left). This stretch extends for about 4.5 km very varied, alternating slopes with plateaus give way to ramps created ad hoc to experience the thrill of jumps.Near a small bridge we meet the waypoint of the Grotta di Ulisse, never heard of until to then. It enchants us with its small waterfalls and some pools of transparent water. We put down the bikes and immerse our bare feet in the water (what a pleasant feeling, a burst of energy!) Vale wants to see the cave of the cave up close, a dispassionate advice, do it too! We leave the woods taking a path that we already know because we crossed it during one of our classic trekkinate.
We go downhill to Borgata Isola Superiore first and then Inferiore, passing through Santa Libera, the last hill available where you can admire Loano from above with a 180 ° view of the Marina and the Borgo, among all the buildings stands the dome of San Giovanni Baptist. We go down further towards the sea and pass through a long narrow street between the Ligurian walls, we pass the villages of Meceti and Mazzocchi, finally rejoining the Via Aurelia.
From here there is the possibility to choose whether to return to the base camp or to extend up to the promenade where a couple of charging columns for E-bikes have recently been installed. E-BIKE CHARGING STATIONS 1) next to the Residence Perelli, in the eastern part of the sea promenade 2) near the last art fountain “Conversazione alla Fonte” at the intersection of Via Martiri delle Foibe and the carousel for children. 3) Pian delle Bosse Refuge 4) Residence Colibrì Family & Bike
Fonte: Due zaini e un camallo.
