Few places are as intriguing as Italy's
Maritime Alps, the Alpi Marittime. Despite its proximity
to the French and Italian Riverias, the region is relatively
unknown to travelers, foreign or native.
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The Maritime Alps
follow the French border from southern Piemonte to the Mediterranean
Sea above Nice, then curve east toward Savona, and include peaks
of over 3,000 m within sight of the sea. They have a diverse natural
environment, ranging from typical alpine flora and fauna at higher
altitudes to lush, maritime vegetation in the valleys. The small
towns and villages of the mountain valleys appear much as they did
centuries ago, their narrow streets a delight to explore. Any trip
to the Maritime Alps can be easily combined with a sojourn at the
sea, as they are less than an hour from the coast. |
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Though the range lies along the present border between Italy
and France, historically it was a domain of the Savoia family,
who became kings of Italy in 1861. One of the Savoia's favorite
hunting grounds, the western border of the Maritime Alps (the
Roya Valley) became part of France only after the second world
war. Today much of the region in both Italy and France are protected
natural reserves - in recent years the ibex population has made
an strong comeback, and one may find chamois and marmots here
as well.
One of the nicest walks here commences in the Parco Naturale
Alta Valle Pesio e Tanaro. The parklands have been carefully
managed since the 12th century, when Carthusian monks were granted
this region at the headwaters of the Pesio and Tanaro Rivers.
The park's mountains are nicknamed the "Piccole  Dolomiti"
(Little Dolomites) since they are as dramatic as the Dolomiti
of Northeast Italy. Several options exist here for the rambler:
from a day-hike to the spectacularly-situated Rifugio Garelli
to a two-to-three day climb or circuit of the Punta Marguareis,
the highest peak in the park at 2,651 m. These walks are described
below.
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