Exploring the area
from valley to valley
The history, traditions and wildlife of the lands surrounding the Refuge among olive groves and edelweiss
Villages, hamlets and ancient castles
mountain life and rural culture
Valle Pennavaire
A quiet and secluded valley divided between two regions, Liguria and Piedmont, culminating with the village of Caprauna, where the Refuge is located. The valley is crossed by the Pennavaire river, which originates from the Bricco delle Penne, a hill overlooking the valley, from which it takes its name.
The entire area is characterized by wooded areas interrupted by small inhabited nuclei, Caprauna, Alto, Nasino, and Castelbianco, which are surrounded by chestnut groves, olive groves, and cultivated terraces. The main mountains in the area are Monte Galero, Monte Armetta, and Monte Castell’Ermo. The valley is characterized by numerous caves and climbing cliffs.
Alta Val Tanaro
Crossed by the Tanaro River, it is a land rich in water with its many streams and brooks. The pristine natural environment, along with a past made rich and complex by the passage of many peoples on this borderland, make it a place dense with ancient traditions with millennial roots that still resist the passage of time, characterizing it.
The main mountains in the area are Mount Marguareis (the highest in the territory at 2651 meters), Cima delle Saline, Mongioie, and Pizzo d’Ormea: from these peaks, on clear days, it is possible to glimpse the sea on the horizon. Known for their Dolomite-like appearance, they are loved by speleologists for the impressive underground cave system, many of which remain unexplored.
