Imperia: Nature, Mountains and Culture

Nature between the river mouth and mountain forest

At the visitor trail in SIC T. NERVIA, you can see riparian woodland and a reed bed that is partially flooded. A visitor trail there also leads to a lagoon-like bend in the river at its mouth, where numerous birds gather. These are concrete points of interest for anyone who would like to focus on river landscapes and birdlife during their trip.

The mouth of the Torrente Nervia is a different feature: it is the only partially preserved coastal wetland in the Province of Imperia. The distinctive character of this wetland adds to the area’s nature-related themes, without presuming any particular observation or visitor experience.

The visitor trail in SIC M. MONEGA – M. PREARBA offers a different landscape. It starts at a provincial road and first passes through mixed forest, then mainly through beech forest. At an altitude of 1,392 metres, the trail opens up to views over the Valle Argentina and the Drego viewpoint. Along this route, forest sections alternate with a viewpoint at higher elevation.

Mountain regions and trails

Mediterranean and Arctic-alpine plant species can be found in SIC M. TORAGGIO – M. PIETRAVECCHIA. The Toraggio-Pietravecchia mountain group is one of the botanically significant landscapes in Parco Alpi Liguri. Anyone interested in plants and high-altitude landscapes will find two closely related perspectives here: the different plant groups and the area’s importance as a botanical landscape.

To reach the visitor point in the SIC, travel inland from the coast via Val Nervia, Pigna, Castelvittorio, S.P. 65 di Colla Langan and S.P. 67. The route runs 20 kilometres north to Pigna; from there, continue for another six kilometres on a paved road to Colla Melosa. At Colle Garezzo, a section of the route crosses mountain meadows with rocks and scree at an altitude of 1,700 metres. In Parco Alpi Liguri, hikers can also follow the Sentiero degli Alpini. The Alta Valle Arroscia in the Imperia area is characterised by extensive pastures and large areas of woodland.

Cycling and route options

When planning a cycling trip, you can distinguish between two different options. The Province of Imperia has made around 30 kilometres of unpaved provincial roads available for cycling: the SP 2 from San Bernardo to Colle del Garezzo and the SP 76 from Colle del Garezzo to Colle Melosa.

Another cycling route leads to Monesi di Triora and then on to the sea at the Prino district of Imperia. It passes through the territories of the municipalities of Mendatica, Montegrosso Pian Latte, Rezzo, Montalto Carpasio, Borgomaro, Prelà, Dolcedo and Imperia. The descriptions of the road sections and this route differ in their course and details; they can help you compare the cycling options according to your own interests.

Historic sites and regional olives

The area’s architectural history also offers specific places to visit. Cervo’s medieval castle houses the Museo Etnografico del Ponente Ligure. In Triora, a medieval fortification has been preserved, with gates, arches, narrow passageways and fortified houses. Villa Grock in Imperia opened to the public in 2010 and has been municipally managed since 1 March 2020. Check current access arrangements before visiting.

Taggiasca olives are part of the region’s food culture: they come from Taggia in the Province of Imperia and are processed into extra virgin olive oil with mild acidity. You can use these themes to set different priorities for your trip: river and birdwatching, forests and high-altitude landscapes, historic buildings, or olive culture. These points of interest can help you match your interests with your choice of hotel in Imperia.

Discover more destinations: Molini Di Triora, Rocchetta Nervina, Bellissimi, Bordighera, Caravonica, Prela, Castellaro, Ceriana, Cervo, Chiusavecchia, Cipressa, Civezza, Collabassa, Colle San Bartolomeo, Costa Carnara, Costarainera, Diano Marina, Diano San Pietro, Dolcedo, Praelo, Imperia, Lecchiore, Lingueglietta, Montegrazie, Ospedaletti, Pantasina, Perinaldo, Piani Paorelli, Pietrabruna, Poggi, Pompeiana, Pontedassio, Prela Castello, Riva Faraldi, San Bartolomeo Al Mare, San Bartolomeo Di Caravonica, San Lorenzo Al Mare, San Remo, Santo Stefano Al Mare, Terzorio, Torrazza, Valloria, Ventimiglia, Villatalla, Borgomaro, Ville San Sebastiano, Triora, Riva Ligure, Pairola, Cesio, Diano Evigno, Badalucco, Chiusanico, Vasia, Diano Arentino, Bajardo, Olivetta San Michele, Serreta, Gorleri, San Romolo, Apricale, Moltedo, Dolceacqua, Airole, Camporosso, Borgo Sant'agata, San Lazzaro Reale, Isolalunga, Torre Papone, Pieve Di Teco, Pigna, Borghetto D'arroscia, Pornassio, Fanghetto, Cartari, Cosio Di Arroscia, Diano Castello, Ville San Pietro, Glori, Ranzo, Vallebona, Gazzelli, Tavole, Ciapin, Rezzo, Aurigo, Montalto Ligure, Grimaldi Di Ventimiglia, Isolabona, Costa D'oneglia, Berzi, Latte, San Biagio Della Cima, Seborga, Mendatica, Conio, Calvo, Trucco, Carpasio, Taggia, Bussana, Poggialto, Borgo D'oneglia, Vallecrosia, Soldano, Vessalico, Borganzo, Termini, Deglio Faraldi and Monade Santa Lucia.

See the full travel overview: Liguria.