Monte Acuto

A quick trip!

We took advantage of the beautiful spring day to climb to Monte Acuto and be home by lunchtime. These ‘quick trekkinis’, which we periodically post on social media, are a tempting attraction for friends who ask us every now and then,
are a tempting attraction for friends who occasionally ask to join us! Today we are joined by our friend Claudia, who has already taken part in some previous treks such as “Monte Carmo” and “San Pietro in Varatella”, so she knows our pace well and is prepared for the climb we have planned for her at the start.
her at the start. The hope that animates us is to see wild horses, which are frequent on the high meadows that overlook the area.

We set off from the car park in the vicinity of the Agriturismo Monte Acuto, where the path leading to the summit of the mountain is marked by the Terre Alte (TA) signposts.
At the beginning, the path appears a little uneven and impervious. We skirt an olive grove to our left, while to the right the landscape opens out onto the valley below. We arrive, still climbing, at the first junction where the direct indication for the summit is well signposted; we take the left.
Afterwards, the steepness increases and we enter the wood, with trees that have been cut and fallen, but not on the path.
After this stretch, which has redirected us towards the sea, the view opens up again, this time over Borghetto Santo Spirito. Steeper traces of the path lead us along the ridge, until we reach the Monte
until we reach Monte Sopra Toirano, still on the ridge. We reach a panoramic point and a splendid view opens up before us. We can admire a portion of western Liguria on our right, which embraces the hinterland as far as the valley of Peagna. On the left, we can see the entire coastline that extends from Loano to Caprazoppa, the first promontory of Finale, and below us the valleys of Carpe and Balestrino.

At this point, a signpost indicates to the right the path that, passing by Monte Acuto, reaches the sanctuary of Monte Croce di Balestrino in one and a half hours.
We cross two wide meadows (Prati di Monte Acuto) where the droppings of the animals that graze here are clearly visible. There is no trace of the long-awaited wild horses. Finally, the view of the peak of Monte Acuto (747 m) opens up in front of us, from which, as we will discover only at the top, we have an excellent view of the entire route.
of the entire route. On the summit, two very nice stools allow us to sit and contemplate the panorama.
panorama. Towards the north-west we can see the sanctuary of Monte Croce di Balestrino, which can also be reached from there by following a path that links the summit of Monte Acuto to the sanctuary.
We can’t miss a bite of the focaccia that the uncle has “camallato” for us and then we go back to the car.
and then we go back to the car, following exactly the same path of the outward journey.
Fonte: Due zaini e un camallo.