- AREA_1
- T_GENNAIO
- T_FEBBRAIO
- T_MARZO
- T_APRILE
- T_SETTEMBRE
- T_OTTOBRE
- T_NOVEMBRE
- PASSION_TREKKING
- SKILL_MEDIA
- T_MAGGIO
- T_GIUGNO
- T_LUGLIO
- T_AGOSTO
- T_DICEMBRE
- SKILL_FACILE
Folchi Castle
- Status Open
- Area Pietrese
Bardino Vecchio loop trail
This is a short loop trail that can be tackled in any season, both on sunny winter days and in summer in the early mornings or in the bright evenings.The route starts from Bardino Vecchio square, outside the oratory of San Carlo Borromeo (you can park here). Follow the road (via Costino) for 100m heading towards the sea, then take the smaller road that climbs up to the left and makes a couple of hairpin bends. The dirt road continues quite steep. After a while, leave the Sentiero Liguria trail on your right, as it takes you down to Tovo San Giacomo. After less than 100 meters, leave the dirt track behind you as well for a yet steeper trail in the middle of the pines that will soon take you to the top of the hill.
After passing a rocky point, you will find the ruins of the “carrettesco” Castello dei Folchi, which stands on the top of the hill. You climb down again, going back on the dirt road just before it ends. On your right you can see a semi-hidden cross on a rocky precipice that bears this inscription: “I remember the holy year 1933 - 8-12-1934”. In rural areas, crosses like this one were used to bless the countryside and they were placed in a dominant yet nearby position, so that the cross could "look over" the land.
Leaving the watershed on our left, you will face a steep downhill to reach the track down below. From here keep going down up to the trail marked with the "Sentiero Liguria" signpost (this trail comes from Pietra and Monte Grosso). Turn left and follow it between the woods and olive groves to come back to the starting point.
