Moderate
Liguria · Italy
- Distance
- 10.7 km / 6.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 697 m
- Typical duration
- 3 hr 16 min
- Waymarked route
Anello della Madonna dei Cancelli
ModerateRegional Natural Park of the Ligurian Alps · Liguria · Italy
- Distance
- 10.6 km (6.6 mi)
- Elevation gain
- 812 m (2,664 ft)
- Typical time
- 3 hr 26 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- Loop
- Highest point
- Not recorded
About Anello della Madonna dei Cancelli
Anello della Madonna dei Cancelli is a 10.6 km hiking route in Regional Natural Park of the Ligurian Alps. It climbs roughly 812 m (2,664 ft) along the way. Most people take around 3 hr 26 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. The effort is honest but manageable, and the hardest section is over quickly.
There is no one famous view here. The appeal is the sustained quality of the walking and the fact that you are unlikely to share it with a crowd.
It is a 10.6 km loop, so you finish where you started and never repeat a section. It is not consistently waymarked, so carry a map or a downloaded track rather than relying on signs.
Plan this one outside the summer months: cooler air makes the exposed sections far more pleasant. The nearest town of any size is Imperia, about 29.8 km away, which is where most people base themselves. The route is maintained by Comune di Cosio d'Arroscia.
In short, Anello della Madonna dei Cancelli suits regular walkers who want a full day without technical ground. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.
Route map
Moderate10.6 km812 m
Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation
The route in detail
The loop is usually walked clockwise from the main trailhead. The first third does most of the climbing, so settle into a slow rhythm early rather than trying to hold a flat-ground pace. The return leg is the reverse of the outward journey, which makes it easy to judge remaining time.
Highlights
- Inside Regional Natural Park of the Ligurian Alps
- Circular route, no backtracking
Know before you go
- Best season
- October to May
- Waymarked
- Not consistently
- Surface
- Mixed natural surface
- Dogs
- Not recorded, check locally
- Wheelchair access
- Not accessible
- Entrance fee
- No fee recorded
- Camping
- Follow park rules
- Drinking water
- Carry your own
- Toilets
- Not recorded
- Mobile coverage
- Generally usable
- Parking
- Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
- Emergency
- 112 in Europe, 911 in North America
How this trail scores
Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.
- Scenery
- 48/100
- Adventure
- 33/100
- Difficulty
- 45/100
- Accessibility
- 36/100
- Family
- 20/100
- Dogs
- 62/100
Terrain features, relief and photographic interest
Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is
Effort index from distance and climbing
Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it
Suitability for children who already walk
Access rules, terrain and water along the way
Tips from the trail
- Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and the quietest paths.
- Aim for october to may for the most reliable conditions.
- Download the track to your phone before you leave. Signal is not guaranteed.
- Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.
Warnings
- Conditions change with the weather. Check a local forecast on the morning of your walk.
Safety
Emergency services in Italy are reached on 112. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage is generally usable along this route, but do not rely on it as your only plan. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.
What to bring
- Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
- Weatherproof jacket
- At least 1.5 litres of water
- Trekking poles for the descent
- Small first aid kit including blister plasters
Photography
Overcast light suits this route better than harsh midday sun, especially under tree cover. Because it is a loop, the light changes direction as you go, so save some memory for the back half. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
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