Long and demanding itinerary with significant elevation gain in the Antola Regional Park, recommended for experienced hikers. Best tackled during the warmer months, when daylight hours are longer and the streams are usually dry, as one of the river crossings can become problematic when water levels are high.
The starting point is Torriglia, an ancient village in the Genoese hinterland, reachable from the Genova Est motorway exit by following the SS45 road and then turning right onto the SP62.
In the village centre, near the cemetery, there is a convenient free parking area.
Follow the main road until, just beyond the bus depot, Via Colomba appears on the left. After a few metres the road becomes an old mule track, initially running alongside the stream before climbing towards the small hamlet of the same name and continuing to the locality of Poggio. There is a spring here.
Keep left to follow the beautiful mule track marked by the FIE 
, climbing steadily towards Donetta, a charming cluster of colourful houses with the simple chapel of San Bernardo at its centre and the surrounding peaks forming a scenic backdrop.
Following the signs placed in the middle of the village, continue along the mule track until reaching a junction where the route continues right towards Monte Antola, still guided by the trail marker , joined here by the 
trail.
The route crosses a forest of beech and chestnut trees, followed by a more open grassy section, before climbing through a series of switchbacks to the Passo dei Colletti (1297 m), where a strategically placed bench offers beautiful panoramic views.
Continuing to follow the same trail markers and , the trail skirts Monte Prelà and continues almost level through the beech forest, interrupted by occasional open viewpoints, before gradually descending to a four-way trail junction marked by a signpost of the Antola Regional Park.
Here the main trail climbing to Monte Antola is abandoned in favour of the route towards Bavastri, on the right, marked with the yellow line trail marker 
.
The path descends clearly through the forest until reaching a stream where the route becomes slightly confusing: some faded trail markers follow the stream while others suggest crossing it.
We crossed the dry streambed and continued somewhat uncertainly through the forest, partly because of fallen trees, searching for the few remaining trail markers and assisted by the GPX track.
Descending further, the trail rejoins the alternative route that had stayed near the stream and continues pleasantly among impressive beech trees and open grassy areas used for grazing, as shown by the presence of watering troughs and stone structures.
As the wide mule track descends, the views over the Lago del Brugneto become increasingly spectacular.
After about one hour from the VM junction, the route reaches the heart of Bavastri, a quiet hamlet of Torriglia surrounded by greenery and located just a few metres from the Lago del Brugneto, which attracts many visitors during summer.
There is a drinking water fountain here.
Upon reaching the SP15 road, continue right until the first turning on the left. After a few metres it is possible to choose in which direction to begin the loop around the lake; our itinerary continues along the road for around 700 metres until reaching a signboard of the Antola Park indicating the beginning of the trail.
The complete loop around the artificial Lake Brugneto, marked with the trail sign 
, measures around 14 kilometres. Our route follows about three quarters of the shoreline before leaving the lakeside path to return towards Torriglia.
Throughout the itinerary there are several picnic areas equipped with tables, benches and sometimes barbecue facilities.
After the initial flat section along the lake, the route continues with ups and downs through the forest: the trail climbs towards the village of Albora without actually reaching it, before descending again towards the water level and continuing almost flat through the area where, before the construction of the dam, the village of Frinti once stood, now submerged beneath the lake.
A long and at times steep climb leads back into the forest among beeches and chestnuts until reaching a junction where the trail to Caffarena on the left is ignored in favour of the descent to the right towards the Rio Spave. If the stream is not dry it must be crossed without the aid of stepping stones (in March, with water reaching knee height, the only way to cross was by removing shoes).
The route continues through rolling forest terrain, approaching the tiny hamlet of Fontanasse, perched on a small hill overlooking the lake.
From here the trail descends more decisively, drawing closer to the lakeshore, whose waters can already be glimpsed through the branches with the dam visible in the background.
Directly on the lakeshore, near the Casa dei pescatori, a picnic area with tables, benches and two barbecue stations has been created: probably the most scenic spot for a break.
Beyond a building, the trail passes below the houses of Retezzo before becoming a small road near the dam, which is crossed from a particularly panoramic viewpoint overlooking the lake.
Once on the opposite shore of the Brugneto, where another spring can be found, follow the road until identifying, near a park information panel, the trail entering the forest and continuing with a series of gentle ups and downs.
After passing another picnic area, the path descends while remaining close to the lakeshore, crossing short sections where brambles may partially invade the trail and several wooden bridges used to cross streams.
At a junction, leave the main trail marked with and continue left towards Garaventa.
The route climbs through the forest following the 
trail marker, where the track is not always easy to follow because of sparse trail signs and fallen trees, before reaching after about one kilometre the small group of houses known as Case dei Navoni (875 m).
Walk a few metres along the asphalt road before turning left back into the forest and quickly climbing via the mule track to Garaventa (938 m), a larger hamlet where the church of San Giovanni Evangelista stands among the first houses with beautiful lake views.
Once reaching the SP15 road, continue left on asphalt until, beyond the last houses, the mule track appears on the right, cutting through the forest before descending again towards the road near the tunnel.
With one final short climb, the route reaches the charming chapel of Garaventa (1071 m), surrounded by greenery and at the crossroads of several trails: follow the direction towards Torriglia.
Descending to the provincial road, the route rejoins the well-marked mule track continuing downhill through the forest, passing the Cappella di Vallà (995 m) before crossing the road again and following it left until reaching the signposts.
On the left the mule track continues, marked with the sign, but we briefly continue along the road before immediately taking the path descending towards the hamlet of Acquabuona Inferiore, where another shortcut trail rejoins the road leading back into the centre of Torriglia.
Torriglia offers shops and services of every kind and is especially famous for its traditional “canestrelletti” biscuits.
