Ellera: Hiking Trails, Churches and Ceramic Art

Ellera combines hiking trails with church and ceramic history. When planning your stay, it is worth considering the different trail lengths and the town’s historic sites: options range from a loop of about two kilometers to the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena to a circuit that takes approximately seven hours. In the historic center, vicoli, caruggi and small squares are part of the town’s distinctive character.

Compare Hiking Trails by Length

The Ellera–Le Cerce–Monte San Giorgio–Crovaro–Ellera circuit starts in Piazza Cairoli. It is 16.50 kilometers long, has an elevation gain of 850 meters and takes approximately seven hours. Of the circuits mentioned here, it is the longest and includes a specific time estimate to help you plan your day.

The Ellera–Bric Beia–Ellera circuit is shorter, at 10 kilometers with an elevation gain of 500 meters. Compared with the longer circuit, that is 6.50 kilometers and 350 meters less elevation gain. Another option is the approximately 7-kilometer Luceto–Canavisse–Ellera trail, which connects Ellera with Luceto. For a much shorter route, there is also an approximately 2-kilometer circuit to the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena. Check the details of this trail before setting out.

The trails in Ellera are part of Albisola Superiore’s hiking network: it covers more than 65 kilometers and is divided into approximately ten routes. Some of the trails suitable for trekking and cycling start in Ellera. When choosing a route, you can therefore consider both its length and its destination. Bric Beia is a scenic viewpoint overlooking the sea at Albisola and the wind turbines above it.

Churches and Local History

Santa Maria is one of Ellera’s early historic sites. The church was built at the end of the 10th century, as the first settlement began to take shape. Architecturally, it marks an important transition from early medieval to Romanesque architecture. At the end of the 16th century, Santa Maria served as the foundation for a small bell tower; according to the traditional account, this function helped preserve it to the present day.

Santa Maria Maddalena stands on a rocky outcrop above the Sansobbia stream. It was built beside and on the site of Santa Maria. The Abbey of San Quintino di Spigno had founded the churches of Santa Maria Maddalena and San Salvatore in Ellera. Another landmark in the town’s history is San Bartolomeo: after the residents secured a parish of their own, they began building the church in 1637.

The circuit to the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena and the Ellera–Santa Maddalena–Ellera circuit lead to different named destinations: the latter goes to the Mulini d’Alto complex. The trail names help distinguish between the churches and the mills when choosing a route. You can also get a feel for the historic center, where small squares, vicoli and caruggi shape the old town.

Ceramics, Mills and Art

Ellera’s ceramic history can be seen both in its mills and in works of art around town. In 1640/41, there were two color mills in Ellera. One of the ten color mills built in the 17th century to process materials for ceramic production was the Mulino del Gallò. Its ruins are still visible, and a trail passes by them. This connects the industrial side of ceramic history with a specific site along the way.

Ceramic art is also present in public spaces: in summer 2022, Mario Leuci, known as 750ML, created the mural “Il Ceramista” in the central Piazza dell’Elce. Ellera has also become an open-air museum of ceramics. The Galleria all’aperto della Ceramica d’Arte features artistic ceramic panels. Together with the churches and historic mills, these offer several different highlights for your stay: longer or shorter trails, architectural history and ceramic art.

Discover more destinations: Carcare, Castelvecchio Di Rocca Barbena, Ranzi, Rialto, Varigotti, Bardino Vecchio, Spotorno, Noli

For the broader travel overview: Savona.