- AREA_4
- T_APRILE
- T_MAGGIO
- T_GIUGNO
- T_LUGLIO
- T_AGOSTO
- T_SETTEMBRE
- T_OTTOBRE
- PASSION_TREKKING
- SKILL_FACILE
- T_GENNAIO
- T_FEBBRAIO
- T_MARZO
- T_NOVEMBRE
- T_DICEMBRE
A walk on the water
- Status Open
- Area Val Bormida
In Bormida along the Pisciarella river
An upstream stroll along the river that, as they say, “makes you laugh”… leaving the most recent buildings behind and coming across ruins from another time: ironworks, tecci (ancient stone buildings), bridges. Rio Pisciarella springs from the slopes of Monte Settepani and flows into the Bormida river.Woods and water were crucial elements for the running of the “ferriere” (ironworks), as they used two energy sources: "black coal" from wood, which was used to produce heat, and "white coal" aka water, which was used to kick-start the machines.
The first ironworks were born likely in the Middle Ages, but became quite active in the 1700s, when they were processing iron ore coming from Elba Island. Once the material arrived in Finale or Vado, it was transported here by mule.
At the start of the hike, you can read the sign “La Ferriera” on a red building. After an isolated house, cross the river and you will notice a derelict building on your left: an even older “ferriera”. Further on, a modern building belonging to the Province of Savona that years ago housed a fish hatchery for the breeding and reintroduction of the brown trout, and a wild animal recovery center.
The rest of the hike has some wilder features, and you will also see some picturesque wooden bridges. It is up to each hiker to decide when and where they want to stop and turn back as there isn’t a specific destination but there are beautifully photogenic spots on the water, on alder groves, on water mint growing on the riverbed, on the yellow chestnut trees in autumn.
