Trail from Rapallo to Monte Pegge and Margherita refuge

The trail begins in Rapallo on Salita S. Agostino, just behind the train station where the trail marker is clearly visible .

Follow the steep paved road uphill. At the top, turn left onto the footpath that continues climbing, passing above the cemetery and behind the Guardastelle neighborhood.

After passing a small cluster of houses, the path reaches S. Agostino, marked by a charming white church. The trail continues to the right of the church, climbing through olive groves, cultivated terraces, and scattered houses. As you leave the vegetation, turn around to enjoy the stunning view over Rapallo bay.
After about 200 meters, you arrive at Madonna Nera, where a small chapel stands on private land. A final set of stairs leads to the end of Via dei Poggi, which you leave after a few meters to enter the woods.
At the fork, keep left, following the same trail marker.

The trail climbs through a beautiful chestnut forest for about twenty minutes, reaching the slopes of Monte delle Pozze. It then levels out along the Strada vicinale delle Pozze and arrives at Pian dei Merli or Passo di San Quirico (from here, you can descend to the Rapallo district of the same name in 15 minutes), where there's a pleasant meadow and the remains of two stone houses.
After a few meters, you reach a junction. Both paths lead to Monte Pegge (to the right, you reach Passo del Crocetta and from there ascend to the summit), but we keep left, still following the barred circle marker.

The initially flat path crosses through undergrowth and leads to the western slope. Gradually, it starts ascending on rocky terrain, offering expansive views of Rapallo and the surrounding peaks.
A slightly challenging final section leads to Monte Pegge (775m above sea level), where Rifugio Margherita is located—a year-round shelter for hikers, managed by the alpine group of Rapallo.

Monte Pegge is a strategic point for continuing in various directions.