Monte Tobbio, from Val Gorzente

Access

a) from Voltaggio (pr. of Alessandria), follow the carriageway for the Valico degli Eremiti and, once you have passed it, continue as far as Guado Gorzente, where you leave your vehicle (and continue on foot up to the first hairpin bend);
b) from the Genova Bolzaneto exit, go up towards Campomorone, Praglia, Capanne di Marcarolo. Continue as far as Guado Gorzente (parking before the bridge along the roadside or right by the Guado);
c) from the Masone exit, continue towards Campo Ligure, where you turn right towards Capanne di Marcarolo, then continue as in b).

Description

From the bend (507m), a mule track starts for Lake Bruno (yellow dot line) and Mount Tobbio (there is a panel indicating the various paths). Beautiful views of the Gorzente stream, with the track being almost level and, after a meadow area (spring), skirting the stream... After about 45 minutes, you come to the junction for Casa Preadoga, where you turn left (going straight on, Lake Bruno is still 35' away). Follow the three yellow dots and, immediately, wade across the stream (some problems if there is a lot of water, be careful!) and climb left into the forest. In 5 minutes, you reach Case Preadoga (588 m), where there is a spring. Climb up, to the left, in the direction of Tobbio (yellow square). As you ascend in altitude, the panorama opens out onto the valley floor and you will notice what appear to be the remains of an old aqueduct or water channel. Next, we pass a small meadow in the middle of a grove. There are a few ups and downs (crossing streams) and bends towards the ridge. The panorama now sweeps over the ridge, where the little Tobbio church is in evidence. In about 1h 15m, you arrive at Casa Carossina (834 m). Continuing to the left, you then have a beautiful view of the building and towards Monte Figne (top right). In about 25', you arrive at the Dagliola Pass (856 m) and note how windy the area is. Now, there is the final approach to Tobbio, with the yellow triangle and the yellow square. In 45 minutes, you're at the summit... There is an open room that can be used as an emergency (taken care of by the Cai di Novi Ligure). The panorama is breathtaking! You descend again in 30', with the ascent route, to the Dagliola pass. Now, to return to the car, take a new route, turning right with the two yellow diamonds and losing altitude towards the Nespolo bridge (1h30m).

if you would like some photos at the links

http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/altre2009.htm
and
http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/anno2011.htm

direct link

http://digilander.libero.it/MAURIZIOLC/tobbio09.pdf
and
http://digilander.libero.it/mmter/anellodalTobbio.pdf

NB: in case of an excursion, always check with FIE, Cai, the Park Authority or other institutions, pro loco, etc., that there have been no changes that have increased the difficulties! No liability is accepted. This text is purely indicative and not exhaustive.