Erli: Hiking Trails, Nature Reserve and History

Erli brings together several themes that can shape your travel plans: hiking trails, the Monte Galero Nature Reserve, the Arma Veirana Cave and the Pieve di San Martino. If you’re looking for a hotel for a stay in Erli, you can consider whether hiking, scenery, local history or an event date should be the focus. The trails vary in duration and route; the historical references span a Mesolithic burial and almost a thousand years of church history.

Monte Galero: Nature Reserve and Landscape

The Monte Galero Provincial Nature Reserve also includes the municipality of Erli. The reserve is home to habitats and species of particular importance, including Campanula sabatia. The massif’s southern slope is wild and wooded. Protected species and habitats, as well as a distinctive landscape, are among the natural features that make Monte Galero special. If nature and scenery matter when choosing a destination, the reserve is a notable point of interest for a trip to Erli.

Hiking Trails by Duration and Route

The hiking routes vary in duration and route. The Anello delle Borgate tourist loop starts and ends in Erli’s town centre, takes about two hours and passes most of the town’s old hamlets. The Anello Erli–Praetto is considered a half-day hike and suitable for all age groups. The Erli–Cerisola route passes through some of Erli’s districts, follows the Via del Sale for part of the way and follows the Torrente Neva to Cerisola. For a rough guide to timing, the Anello delle Borgate takes about two hours, while the Anello Erli–Praetto takes half a day; the Erli–Cerisola route is distinguished by its course through local districts and along the Via del Sale and Torrente Neva to its destination, Cerisola.

Archaeology and Local History

Arma Veirana Cave is located in the municipality of Erli and is associated with a Mesolithic burial of an infant. A peer-reviewed study published in 2021 directly dates the burial to 10,211–9,910 calibrated years before present (cal BP). Another point of interest is the Pieve di San Martino: it is located in one of Erli’s oldest hamlets and has a history spanning almost a thousand years. For those interested in history, two distinct time periods are therefore in focus: the Mesolithic burial at Arma Veirana and the Pieve’s long history.

A Polenta Tradition with a Set Date

The Sagra della Polenta Bianca returned to Erli on 13 and 14 June 2026. That year, white polenta with leek sauce was among the specialities on offer. If you’d like to plan a future trip around the festival, check the announced event dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Laigueglia, Bergeggi, Varazze, Nasino-Borgo, Vara Inferiore, Andora, Coasco, Bossaneto

For the broader travel overview: Savona.