Did you know that it is now possible to walk to the sea from Milan? Imagine leaving home with your backpack and finding yourself at the sea starting from Milan, 222 km in 10 stages. The Trail of the Celts and Ligurians starts from Milan and in Sestri Levante. The trail crosses no less than 3 regions: Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna and Liguria. What a magical adventure. If you are thinking about what to do as soon as the weather warms up a bit consider it.
The sea of Liguria is always a coveted place, not only by the Milanese but by the world. It is no coincidence that a Ligurian town has been called the most beautiful in the world.
If you want to go to the sea in an alternative way give an eye to the following route. It will make you discover the area with new eyes. Tiring? Maybe yes, but after the fatigue you will arrive at the beach!!!
The stages of the Trail of the Celts and Ligurians
In all, there are 10 stages in a route that stretches 220 kilometers. From the Duomo, passing through the Darsena for you continue along the Naviglio Pavese until you reach Pavia. Here the path of the Celts and Ligurians meets two of the major pilgrimage routes in northern Italy: the Via Francigena and the Via degli Abati, which has its starting stage in Pavia. Leaving the city, the route skirts the Ticino River, crossing its Park, until it reaches its confluence with the Po River.
To reach Oltrepo Pavese and discover the beautiful vineyards, you will board a small boat. The fourth stage leads to explore the Tidone Valley, where the first climbs begin. And in the distance you begin to see Mount Penna, a sacred mountain for the Celtic Ligurians.
Then we move on to the most beautiful valley in the world according to Ernest Hemingway: Val Trebbia. In Bobbio to see is the Abbey of St. Columba, founded by the father of “Celtic monacesim”, and the famous Ponte Gobbo bridge.
And again.
You pass the Val Nure (5th stage). The Val Nure combines wonderful landscapes with small villages: from here on, the mountains will become rougher and human presence rarer. Stage 6 takes us to the Val d’Aveto where we will cross the most rugged section:” The Aveto Gorge.” Once we survive (we joke) here we reach Mount Penna (stage 7). Its name is said to derive from the god Pen, worshipped by the ancient Ligurian Celts. That is why it is considered sacred and even for today’s wayfarers, Mount Penna is a place of deep spirituality and beauty. On a naturalistic level, it is the centerpiece of a very important area: from the Aveto Regional Park, to the headwaters of the twin rivers Taro and Ceno. From Mount Penna, we move on to the Bocco Pass (8th stage). This stage opens with the last challenging climb ( (the 9th and penultimate, the Val Graveglia) before beginning the descent to the sea and reaching almost the end of the path.
From here you can see the waters of the Tigullio Gulf. The 10th stage, the end will have you finally touching the sands of Sestri. Welcome to Liguria! To welcome weary wayfarers is one of the most picturesque villages on the Ligurian coast, with the two bays of Silenzio and Favole. Sandy beaches beckon for a dip and a well-deserved rest.
After traveling many miles and visiting wonderful natural places, the Trail of the Celts and Ligurians arrives at the sea where a refreshing dip is a must.
More useful info on tackling the Trail of the Celts and Ligurians
The Trail, after a testing phase in which organizers worked on creating a mapping and researching accommodations, is finally open. As of May 21, 2023, it is possible to hike it on your own without necessarily relying on the Trail’s wonderful sentinels (previously it was necessary because the trail was being landscaped and there were no signposts). To stay updated, visit the official website or their social pages: Instagram and Facebook. Or you can contact the organizers at the following email: info@sentierodeicelti.it
The Celts and Ligurians Trail tackles both mountainous, hilly and flat terrain. Everyone can choose the stage that best suits their walking experience. For those new to the trail, we recommend joining one of the trips organized by the Trail Sentinels visible on their social pages. For all the technical info on what to bring, how to dress, etc., find a great explanation and frequently asked questions here.