Alassio, a sea... of sports
Not just lazy days on the beach, but for those who love to keep moving, there are plenty of alternatives.
There are three main marked hiking trails.
The Alta via Baia del Sole is certainly the most challenging, with its almost 10 km and a difference in altitude of 980 m. A seven-hour itinerary that climbs the mountains via the Via Julia Augusta and the Sanctuary of Madonna della Gurdia, then reaches the characteristic medieval village of Colla Micheri and ends in Laigueglia. It is certainly not an easy walk, but the reward is the view that stretches from the Gulf of Alassio to Val Lerrone behind it.
Sentiero dell'onda (Wave Trail): evocative in both name and setting. Immersed in the Mediterranean scrub among the scents of myrtle, arbutus, and broom, this three-hour walk covers a total of 10 km with an elevation gain of 350 m. There are several ways to reach the Santa Croce panoramic road and from there venture onto a steep path that runs along the ridge of the mountain for a breathtaking view that will lead you to Albenga.
Madonna della Guardia is definitely more accessible to everyone. Five kilometers, three hours, and 585 meters of elevation gain. The route also passes through the charming hamlet of Moglio before arriving at the large square of the Sanctuary of Madonna della Guradia. It's the perfect spot for a picnic with a sea view, followed by a refreshing stroll through the pine forest surrounding the sanctuary.
Wave walking. This discipline is still relatively unknown but is beginning to attract attention and finds its ideal location in Alassio. Of French origin, it arrived in Italy in 2018. It is a form of aquatic walking that tones the muscles, improves the cardiovascular system, and involves a form of thalassotherapy thanks to the sea.
Don't imagine a stroll chatting with your neighbor under the beach umbrella. Techniques and the use of paddles to walk either individually or in pairs define it as a true discipline.
But that's not all. In Alassio, Alassio Wave Walking is the first association in Italy and, in collaboration with the “Al Mare” sailing club, organizes outings and courses at any time of the year.
Mountain biking for lovers of two wheels with daring itineraries and different levels of intensity. To name a few: Gran Fondo del Muretto-Torre Adelasia-Ruderi di San Bernardo.
For the less adventurous, there is the option of renting e-bikes (pedal-assisted) with dedicated routes.
Thrills at high altitude in spring and fall, when the winds are most favorable, allow you to launch yourself with a paraglider from the mountains overlooking the sea, immersing yourself in a palette of unique colors.
A different point of view, on four legs. Horse riding for experts and beginners, alone or with the whole family.
There are several places where you can spend a day in contact with nature, discovering a hinterland rich in villages and shades of authenticity.
A short walk from the center is the Hanbury Tennis Club for a competition to the last set.
In Garlenda, a small village in Val Lerrone, just a few minutes' drive away, the Gralenda Golf Club stands among olive trees and pine forests.
Eighteen holes, expertly maintained with a very British flavor, make it one of the most famous clubs on the Riviera for lovers of the genre.
Not to be missed is the Circolo Nautico “AL Mare” in Alassio, which offers sailing, diving, and boating license courses from June to September.
Alassio...it's hard to get bored!
Davide Amadore