Editorial guide · Pignone

Pignone - Prato di Corno (via Monte Castellaro)

A challenging ascent in the Spezzino hinterland, through woods and ridges, with verified data on distance and elevation gain.

SoggiornaQui editorial team · published on 25 July 2026 · updated on 2 August 2026

Old bridge in Pignone (SP, Italy) - june 2018 reconstruction works
Photo credits

Photo: Pampuco / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 4.0. Changes by SoggiornaQui: resized and converted to WebP, EXIF removed.

The route on the map

Map: OpenFreeMap/OpenStreetMap data. See also all trails in Liguria.

A climb in the hilly hinterland behind the Gulf of Poets, starting from the village of Pignone and ascending towards Monte Castellaro up to Prato di Corno.

Verified Data

  • Departure and arrival: Pignone -> Prato di Corno
  • Trail code: 556
  • One way or loop: one way
  • Kilometers: 3.3 km
  • Elevation gain: +505 m / -20 m
  • Difficulty: E (hiking)
  • Travel time: 2h up, 1h down
  • Responsible authority: CAI Sezione La Spezia (REL network)
  • Last verification: 2026-07-24

The Route

Despite the short distance (3.3 km), the elevation gain of over 500 meters makes this a challenging route, typical of the Ligurian hinterland where short horizontal distances hide steep climbs. The trail winds through the woods that characterize the hills above Pignone, a small village in the Val di Vara hinterland, less frequented than the coastal villages but with an equally rich hiking heritage.

Before You Go

  • Don't be fooled by the length: 3.3 km with 505 m of elevation gain means a steep average gradient; expect longer ascent times compared to a flat route of the same length.
  • Hiking gear: sturdy boots with good soles are recommended for the steeper sections.
  • Starting point: Pignone can be reached by car or public transport from Val di Vara.

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