by the CAI (Italian Alpine Club) of FINALE LIGURE

If you are looking for a spring excursion in Liguria that combines history, culture and breathtaking landscapes, the Via dei Carri Matti is the perfect route for you. This CAI (Italian Alpine Club) itinerary no. 2 winds its way between Borgio Verezzi and Finale Ligure, passing through ancient stone quarries and offering unique views of the sea.

The name of this trail derives from the “carri matti” (mad carts), vehicles used to transport blocks of stone extracted from the quarries of Verezzi to the coast. These carts, custom-built to tackle the rough terrain, were pulled by oxen, horses or mules until the Borgio-Verezzi road was opened in 1885. Even today, along the route, you can see traces left by the extraction of the famous ‘Pietra di Verezzi’ stone, prized for its beauty and workability since Roman times.

The route: between nature and archaeology

The circular trail starts from the ‘Cava Pilino’ or ‘Cava du Lago’, where you can park. From here, continue along a gravel path and you will come across numerous points of interest:

• Prehistoric rock carvings, representing an axe and a plough, dating back to the Bronze Age, unique in Liguria.
• Abandoned quarries, including the evocative ‘Cava Vecchia’, one of the few where extraction took place in tunnels, which collapsed and closed in the 1940s.
• The village of Verezzi, with its splendid Church of San Martino and the evocative Tomb of the Cucchi Family, a small masterpiece by local stonemasons.
• The ‘belvedere’ on the coast, a panoramic viewpoint offering an extraordinary view of the sea.
• Abandoned millstones, evidence of an ancient stoneworking activity.

Along the route, the vegetation changes several times, passing from arid environments with Mediterranean scrub to holm oak woods. Among the most characteristic plants are thyme, lavender, rosemary and arbutus. Near the ‘Cava Vecchia’ (old quarry) grows Campanula Isophylla, a species endemic to the Finale area which, in spring, colours the stone of Verezzi blue.

An excursion for everyone, but with the right equipment

The route is approximately 2.5 km long with an elevation gain of 150 metres. The difficulty is classified as E (Hiking), so it is suitable for those with a minimum of mountain experience. To tackle it in the best possible way, we recommend wearing hiking boots, bringing water and sunscreen, especially on hot days.
To fully immerse yourself in the history and curiosities of the area, you can walk along the Via dei Carri Matti accompanied by an expert guide or take part in a social outing organised by the CAI (Italian Alpine Club) of Finale Ligure. This is a unique opportunity to discover little-known details about the geology, Mediterranean flora and ancient local traditions.

This spring, discover the most authentic and historic side of Finale Ligure. The Via dei Carri Matti awaits you for a slow journey through time!