Circular trail Reppia - Monte Zatta - Monte Chiappozzo

Another itinerary to explore the Val Graveglia, climbing the peaks of Monte Zatta and Monte Chiappozzo. Due to the length of the route, the significant elevation gain, and some brief equipped sections, it is recommended for well-trained and experienced hikers and should be done clockwise.

There is no water supply along the route, so it is advisable to start with an adequate amount of that.

The starting point is Reppia, reachable from the Lavagna highway exit by following SP 33 to the Settembrin roundabout and then continuing right along SP 26 (about 40 minutes from the highway exit).
Park your car near the Sant’ Apollinare church and follow the trail marker which, with a small staircase next to the cemetery, leads to the underlying paved road and then to the trailhead, where a panel indicates stage no. 35 of the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri.

The trail descends into the woods, crossing a small bridge that allows you to climb up the other side of the Reppia stream and continue uphill through a beautiful chestnut forest where some old stone houses, now abandoned, can still be seen.
Signposts from the Aveto Park indicate this as loop trail A11, which leads to Monte Zatta.

Upon reaching Via Picchetti, on the paved road, you should turn left for a few meters to rejoin the trail, but since it was found impassable due to brambles, it is advisable to stay on the road, continuing right until the trail is met again.

To shorten the route, you can take a path on the right through the fields; once back on Via Picchetti, retrace a few meters to find the signs for A11.

The trail ascends through the woods, passing a quaint chapel shaded by a pine tree, then crosses an area with lower vegetation and rockier terrain.
The route becomes incredibly scenic, offering a wide view of the surrounding peaks and the sea, where the Portofino Promontory is clearly visible.

At a junction, keep to the right to continue uphill, following the markers now joined by .
The ascent becomes steeper, and occasional breaks to catch your breath allow you to admire the panorama behind you.

With a final challenging section over rocks, aided by iron steps, you reach the summit of Monte Zatta Ponente (1355 m), marked by a small shrine. With the beech forest behind and a postcard-perfect view ahead, this is the ideal spot for a lunch break.

Now, heading eastward, guided by the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri symbol and A11, follow the ridge, occasionally entering the beech forest, to reach Monte Zatta di Levante (1404 m). This peak, higher than the previous one, is less scenic; here, various trail markers can be found on a rock .

Follow the empty red circle marker to Monte Prato Pinello, where a steep descent begins on uneven terrain with numerous rocky patches, requiring caution, especially when wet.
The descent becomes easier as it passes through a beech forest but steepens again on the final grassy section leading to a dirt road.

Follow the road to the right, level, until a hairpin turn where the marker leads to the ridge.
Accompanied by views of the Val di Vara, climb a path winding among distinctive boulders, eventually reaching the summit of Monte Chiappozzo (1126 m), marked by a wooden cross with a crucifix, offering a stunning sea-and-mountain panorama.

Descend the opposite side, steeply, following the and signs for the "5 Terre" AV5T. At a junction, instead of climbing Monte Biscia, keep right, reaching a lawn, then follow an unmarked path gently descending and leveling off to reach a dirt road. Follow this road for about 3.5 km to reach Via Prato in Prato di Reppia, where you encounter the first houses.
From here, take Via Case Soprane to the right for about 1.4 km, arriving back at the Reppia church.

The path tracked on Google Maps

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