Rezzoaglio basso - Villanoce Cerisola - Lago delle Lame

Loop trail in Val D'Aveto to reach the Lago delle Lame from Rezzoaglio, passing through peaceful villages and following ancient mule tracks.
Along the way, you will find numerous water sources and several guesthouses where you can stop for lunch and stay overnight as well.

The starting point is in Rezzoaglio, about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Chiavari highway exit, following the SP 586 which begins in Carasco.
Once you arrive in the town of Val D'Aveto, where there are bars and grocery stores, continue for a few more minutes along the road below the village to reach Rezzoaglio Basso, the starting point of our hike.
After crossing the bridge, there are a parking spots on the right.

Proceed a few meters inward, then turn right and climb between the houses before entering the woods and tackling the first significant ascent.
Upon reaching the "L'Oasi agriturismo", our itinerary includes a detour to visit Lago di Rezzo, accessible via a pleasant walk (round trip, about half an hour) through the forest, starting on a downhill path just after the "agriturismo".
After crossing a small wooden bridge, follow the path across the meadow, turning immediately right to reach the natural lake, which can be glimpsed from above but is not easily accessible.

Returning to the main path, retrace your steps back to the agriturismo and take the uphill trail on the right, which initially climbs through the woods and then crosses the countryside, leading to the first houses of Villanoce (867 m), a welcoming village with numerous fountains, ancient washhouses, and a couple of refreshment points.

Once on the road, continue right past the church until you reach the SS 654, which ascends to Santo Stefano D'Aveto.
Here, take a path to the right that descends through the woods, arriving near the gate of a residence, which you bypass by following a trail on the right that skirts around it.

Descending through the woods, you arrive at a particularly charming spot where an ancient water mill, known as the Mulino dei Bachicchi (dating back to the late 1700s), stands in relatively good condition.
From here, a short climb takes you to the hamlet of Villa Rocca (853 m), a cluster of beautiful houses immersed in the tranquility of the valley, one of which is a working farm that offers overnight stays (check the availability).

After a recommended visit, to continue the hike, follow the path at the edge of the village, which passes between houses on the right and then descends into the woods after crossing another washhouse. The path remains level before climbing through the fields to rejoin the SS 654 at Cerisola.

Follow the main road to the left, continuing on a concrete road ascending into the heart of the quiet village, where you can occasionally hear the voices of locals from the charming houses along the way.

After passing through the village, a steep climb through the woods brings you to "Zerreie" or "Serreie", where a sawmill once stood, now characterized by vast green meadows and small rustic buildings which invite a pause to admire the enchanting and peaceful landscape.

Continuing on, you reach a crossroads where a cross and a millstone have been placed in memory of the men who spent much of their lives working the land here.
There is also a drinking water source.

Our route continues straight ahead, following the mule track into the woods. After a short distance, at a fork, keep right (left leads to the Ravezza waterfall) and follow the trail marker  reaching the Lago delle Lame in about twenty minutes.

Lago delle Lame is a glacial lake surrounded by the forest of the same name, home to a hotel with a bar and restaurant (reservations required).
To return to Rezzoaglio, follow the paved road for a short distance before leaving it when a trail marked with appears to the left, descending through the pine forest and cutting across the road to rejoin it further down.

Continue downhill for a few more meters along the road, then leave it again when a path branches off to the left. This trail runs parallel to the road for a short distance before descending past a few rustic buildings and a large meadow.

From here, it becomes a path, unmarked but fairly easy to follow due to the trampled grass; after about 450 meters, pay attention and, when the fence ends, turn 90° right onto a barely visible track that becomes clearer a few meters further along.

Continuing downhill, you pass a white rustic building before re-entering the woods and descending until you meet a wide dirt road. Turn left and follow the road uphill.

With a series of moderate ups and downs, after about 2.7 km, the road merges with the Sentiero della Resistenza, marked by a .
Now, keeping right, the descent to Rezzoaglio takes about 20 minutes, with the last short section of about 50 meters potentially obscured by tall vegetation.

From the center of Rezzoaglio, take the road that descends to the right just before the church, crossing a broad plain to reach the first houses of Rezzoaglio basso and a bridge that leads back to the starting point of the hike.

It is recommended to stop at various local stores known for producing delicious local products.

The path on Google Map

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