Among small lakes and waterfalls in the Riserva Naturale di Rio Torsero and Valle Ibà

The trail begins in Peagna, inland from Ceriale, and the path reaches three crosses marking three ridges in the mountains of western Liguria. They are Rocca dell’Uomo (557 m), Monte Pesalto (686 m), and a third cross on a small ridge not marked on maps. Lastly, the trail will take us to Poggio Ceresa (or Pizzo Ceresa 714 m) where a small, picturesque chapel can be seen.

For the entire ascent from Peagna to Poggio Ceresa will will be following the trail of the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri and the return journey along the beautiful, sunken Rio Ibà Valley. The trail continues alongside the rio, on the right and left banks, with several places to cross, easy to walk, given the stream’s small size. The environment changes and becomes wilder, with numerous small lakes and waterfalls. Several Nature Trail signs have been placed along the route, indicating the most interesting points from a naturalistic point of view.

During the ascent, one is accompanied by the wonderful views of Isola Gallinara, the Piana di Albenga, Ceriale, Borghetto, Loano, Pietra Ligure, and Finale Ligure as well as Monte Croce and Monte Acuto.

In the first part of the trip, you will encounter a rich ecosystem of Mediterranean scrub. In the second, if you are lucky, you will get to admire a rich fauna, near the Rio Ibà live, for example, badgers, kestrels, foxes, lizards, wild boars, squirrels, fallow deers, and hedgehogs. There are also numerous plants growing in this area such as dog rose, fern, broom, hornbeam, butcher’s broom, costorosa, downy oak, and chestnut.