Sentiero dei Forti & Forte Piccolo
Few visitors realise that the green hills directly above Alassio are threaded with a network of old military mule tracks — the Sentiero dei Forti — linking a series of small 19th-century forts built by the House of Savoy. The most accessible, Forte Piccolo, sits at around 400 metres above sea level and offers a vertiginous view down onto the bay that no beach-level photograph can match.
The Trail Network
The Sentiero dei Forti connects several small fortifications built between the 1880s and 1910s to defend the Ligurian coast. The paths are maintained by local hiking associations and are generally well-signed, though a downloaded offline map (Komoot or Wikiloc have good tracks) is strongly recommended.
The most popular loop from Alassio climbs through olive groves and chestnut woods to Forte Piccolo, continues along the ridge to Forte Centrale, and descends back to town in around three to four hours total. The elevation gain is roughly 400 metres — moderate fitness required.
What You Find at the Top
Forte Piccolo itself is a compact stone structure, partly ruined, that you can walk around freely. The military architecture is interesting but the real reward is the panorama: the full arc of Alassio bay, the island of Gallinara, the Capo Mele headland to the west and, on clear days, the French Riviera coastline dissolving into the distance.
In spring the hillside is carpeted with wild orchids, asphodel and cistus. In autumn the chestnut trees turn gold and the air smells of wood smoke from the farms below. Both seasons are arguably more beautiful than the crowded summer months.
Practical Advice
The most straightforward access point is from the hamlet of Moglio, reachable by local bus from Alassio (line managed by RT Riviera Trasporti — check current timetables). From Moglio the path to Forte Piccolo takes about 45 minutes. Alternatively, start from the top of Via Gastaldi in Alassio itself for a steeper but more direct ascent.
Carry water, wear proper walking shoes and tell someone your route. The paths are quiet — which is precisely their charm — but mobile signal can be patchy on the ridge. The forts are always open and free to visit.
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