Stage 7 · San Colombano → Chiavari
- Distance
- 109 km
- Elevation gain
- 2,370 m D+
- Suggested days
- 2
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Surface
- 90% asphalt, 10% gravel · 7% on cycle routes
- Terrain
- Ligurian Apennines, Trebbia Valley
- Hospitality
- Hotels and B&Bs
GPX 1.1 file with the track, elevation and the abbeys as waypoints. Tracks are calculated on real roads and cycle routes (OpenStreetMap): check them on the ground before you set off.
Stage map
Map of the stage San Colombano → Chiavari: track, start, finish, places to stay and abbeys
Hover the profile to see the spot on the map
Tracks calculated on real roads and cycle paths (OpenStreetMap); elevations from SRTM data — to be checked on the ground
Main climb: 8.8 km at 7.3% (up to 1,442 m)
Other climb: 6.3 km at 7.5% (up to 794 m)
This stage on Komoot
The same track is on the project's Komoot profile: save it in the app and ride it with voice navigation.
Overview
Out of the monastic Trebbia valley towards the sea. The route descends through Apennine woods, passing remote valleys and hidden villages until it looks out over the Tigullio gulf.
Notes from the road
From Bobbio the Trebbia flows on the left over quiet asphalt to Marsaglia. Then the valley climbs along the Aveto, through woods and a few villages, to Ferriere. From there the paved road to Santo Stefano d'Aveto remains the safer choice for a loaded bike. The variant climbing to Passo delle Lame is beautiful, but forces stretches on foot. Better for riders travelling light. Wild horses graze the park meadows, a quiet encounter.
What to see
Bobbio and the Abbey of San Colombano, wild upper Val Trebbia, Ligurian Apennine passes, Sturla valley, Chiavari on the sea with its arcades, Riviera di Levante
Where to sleep
Seafront hotel in Chiavari (80-110€); B&B in Chiavari centre (70-95€); inland agriturismo (60-85€)
Where to eat
Focaccia di Recco, trofie al pesto, stuffed mussels, oven-baked sea bass, Ligurian Vermentino
Tips
From Ferriere the tarmac road passes through Santo Stefano d'Aveto and Rezzoaglio, recommended with a loaded bike. The gravel variant climbs to Passo delle Lame and drops to Lake Giacopiane, more technical: it calls for some walking. On the real track it is 109 km and 2,370 m of climbing: better over two days, stopping at Santo Stefano d'Aveto (around km 55).
Water & supplies
Last grocery run in Bobbio: in the upper Val Trebbia bars are sparse and often seasonal (Marsaglia, Ottone), with about 30 km of real solitude and phone coverage absent in places. Fountains in the Valle Sturla villages (Borzonasca) on the descent to the sea. Carry food, a spare tube and a windproof.
Places to stay on this stage
No places listed for this stage yet: the overnight network is a work in progress.
Abbeys on this stage
- Start abbey: Abbazia di San Colombano
An amateur, non-profit project. The tracks are indicative: everyone rides independently, at their own risk.