Trail in the Val Trebbia exploring small villages of the Genoese hinterland.
This hike can be done all year round, but the best seasons are spring and summer, when temperatures are more pleasant and there is less water in the streams that need to be crossed.
The starting point is Montebruno, reachable from the Passo della Scoglina via the SP 56 passing through Barbagelata, or from Genoa along the SS 45 towards Torriglia, also served by bus connections.
After parking near the Santuario di Nostra Signora di Montebruno, home to the important Rural Museum, cross the ancient Doria Bridge, a four-arched structure dating back to the late Middle Ages, to reach the opposite bank of the Trebbia River and enter the welcoming village.
Once on the main road, walk a few meters to the left to take Via Fossello, a paved path climbing between houses towards a more rural area with beautiful stone buildings; the route bends left and, following the trail marker 
, continues towards Rondanina.
After a short climb in the woods, you reach a fork where, despite signs pointing left, you should go right, continuing to follow the same trail marker.
The pleasant mule track climbs steadily through oak and beech woods, running alongside a long dry-stone wall before reaching Via San Benedetto da Norcia.
From here there are several shortcuts cutting the bends, but if they are not accessible, continue left on the quiet road, which remains a pleasant walk.
After passing a wooden house on the right, the trail resumes through the woods, running along a stone wall to a small white chapel; after a short climb, cross the road again and continue through meadows to Zeppado.
Zeppado is a rural hamlet, seemingly abandoned, inviting a short stop to enjoy its peaceful atmosphere and discover charming details: a tower house, a small stone dwelling with a wooden roof, and a delightful terrace with wrought-iron railing.
Beyond the last houses, follow the road for about one hundred meters, then take the uphill path on the right. It crosses a grassy area and then enters a beautiful beech forest.
As the trees thin out, the path continues flat along the ridge with views of Monte Antola, until it meets the "Albert Einstein Trail", a 48 km route in the Val Trebbia retracing the journey taken by young Einstein in 1895.
Following it for a stretch, you pass a picnic area and, still in the woods with views of Lago del Brugneto, descend towards the SP 15.
Follow the road to the right to reach the Cappella di Sant’Anna, a watershed between the Brugneto and Cassingheno valleys.
Keep left and look for a path branching right, marked by a yellow arrow.
Ignoring two left turns, continue climbing to reach the slopes of Bric Rondanina, a rocky saddle offering panoramic views.
Entering the woods, the path becomes easier and leads to the road near Rondanina (981 m).
Entering the village, you walk through narrow streets to the center, with the church of San Nicola da Bari, the municipality, and the Rifugio Rondanina and Il Lupo Visitor Center.
From here, descend along a path without trail markers, crossing terraced fields and woods.
At a fork, take the left path down to the Cassingheno stream, which can be difficult to cross with high water.
Climbing the opposite side, follow the trail to a dirt road and then a shortcut leading to Cassingheno and the Church of San Bartolomeo.
Cassingheno (1100 m) is a quiet hamlet known for its circular storage buildings called cascine.
Follow the SP 16 briefly, then take a dirt road leading through woods and clearings before descending again.
After a shortcut through the forest, you reach the SS45 near Due Ponti, a small hamlet named after its two bridges over the Trebbia River.
Continuing, take a path leading to Pian di Giané, with its abandoned village.
From here, descend back towards Montebruno, where you’ll find services, shops and a bakery famous for its canestrelli biscuits.
