Pitelli: Hiking Trails and Historical Traces

Pitelli is best explored on foot: circular routes wind through the village and its surroundings, while historic buildings and local history offer further points of interest. One highlight of the Anello Verde is Monte Soggio. From its summit, views stretch across the Gulf of La Spezia to Portovenere and the islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto.

Circular Trails from Pitelli

The moderately difficult Anello Verde starts and ends in Pitelli and leads to the summit of Monte Soggio. The circular route is listed as taking 50 minutes. This makes it easy to compare its duration with other trails: the also moderately difficult Anello Giallo takes 60 minutes. It leads from Pitelli via CAI 450 to Muggiano and returns via CAI 451.

A shorter route, rated easy, is the Anello Arancione. It starts at Piazza degli Orti and takes 30 minutes. The Anello Blu also starts at the same square: from there, it follows CAI 450V in the direction of Montiamoli. No walking time or difficulty rating is given here for the blue circular route, so it cannot be compared with the other routes using the same time or difficulty ratings.

The route descriptions also differ in where they lead: the Anello Giallo names Muggiano as the destination on its outward leg, while the Anello Blu heads in the direction of Montiamoli. The Anello Ruffino-Pitelli follows a woodland path to the first houses in Pitelli. This gives you a choice between a circular route with a stated duration, a route with a named direction, and a described stretch through the woods.

Trails, the Sea and Longer Hikes

A dense network of CAI-marked trails connects Pitelli to the sea. The trails also link up with the Alta Via del Golfo. This route is about 44 kilometres long, involves a total elevation gain of 1,800 metres and is divided into three stages. Its length and stages offer a different scale from the short circular routes, for which walking times of 30 to 60 minutes are given.

When choosing a route, it is helpful to keep the details distinct: the Anello Verde and Anello Giallo have both a moderate difficulty rating and a walking time; the Anello Arancione is rated easy and has a shorter walking time. By contrast, the description of the Anello Blu gives its starting point and direction. Each route therefore offers different reference points for your planning.

Historic Village Centre and Local Tradition

The village centre also offers specific places to visit away from the hiking trails. Some of the tower houses in the historic centre have arched entrances. Pitelli was established in the 16th century on the site of the former medieval harbour of San Bartolomeo di Cento Chiavi. The ancient Oratory of San Bartolomeo also dates from the mid-16th century. These different historical references connect the village’s past with its visible buildings without conflating them into a single date of origin.

A local tradition is the Marcia dei Colli Pitellesi, a non-competitive running and hiking event with two routes of 7 and 14 kilometres. It takes place on the feast days of the patron saint, San Bartolomeo. The two distances offer another way to choose a tour by its planned length. If you are planning a trip around the event, it is worth checking the event dates.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Arcola, Vignana, Bonassola, Cembrano, Zignago, Cavanella Vara, Tavarone, Riomaggiore.

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