Carro and its surroundings are ideal places for sportsmen and women and for those who want to enjoy different outdoor activities.
For example, the area offers different levels of walks such as those on the fairytale paths of the nature ring that connects the hamlets, hikes on the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri or those on the Alta Via delle Cinque Terre that join up on the crest of Monte Zatta.
In addition to these, especially for bicycle and E-Bike enthusiasts, it is possible to explore the scenic roads of the valley in an experience that combines sport and beauty.
Not only trekking and biking, there are also many other activities to be enjoyed in Val di Vara, including adventure parks, rafting, canoeing and fishing and, in autumn and spring, various rallies and events related to the world of quads and 4×4s (ed. Quad Jamboree and 4×4 Campfire).
Walking routes
Walking routesWalking in Carro means discovering and rediscovering paths immersed in greenery and little known, far from the crowds and coastal crowds. Visitors can follow the nature ring that runs along the perimeter of the municipal boundary for 30 km, walking along the paths that connect the different hamlets of the municipality of Carro.
Along the route of the Nature Ring, pristine environments alternate with wooded and grassy areas, panoramic ridges and valley floors, in a changing environment that can be enjoyed in different seasons of the year.
Sentiero 622 CARRO
TRAVO - ZIONA - LUXIATA - QUATTRO STRADE (4,6 km)
Walking time: h 1.25
Height difference: downhill 70 m, uphill 270 m.
The route starts in Carro, in the square of the parish church of San Lorenzo built in the 15th century. Continue to the junction for the hamlet of Travo, descend towards the small hamlet, and then reach the stream of the same name (Rio Travo). Continuing on from Rio Travo, walk up towards Ziona. In the medieval hamlet of Ziona you can admire the Church of the Holy Name of Mary. Continue on to Luxiata and then Quattro Strade.
Sentiero 620 Carro
Pavareto - Mola - Pietra spaccata della Cima Stronzi - Monte San Nicolao (7 km)
Walking time: h 2.15
Height difference: downhill 30 m; uphill 390 m
The route, which connects to the Alta Via delle Cinque Terre, begins at the junction for Pavareto, crosses the hamlet of Pavareto and climbs up towards the Passo della Mola. Continuing along the Pietra Spaccata - Cresta del Monte Groppi ridge, we reach Monte San Nicolao, where there are still the remains of the ancient 12th century 'hospitale'.
Sentiero 625 CARRO
TRAMBACCO - CERRETA - STANGA - CRAVIOLA MONTE ROCCHE - VAGIE (12,6 km)
Walking time: h 4.00
Height difference: downhill 390 m, uphill 600 m
The route starts in Carro, walking along the southern slope of Monte Sepponi (491 m a.s.l.) and then down to Trambacco. Continue up to the Santuario della Cerreta (398 m a.s.l.), birthplace of Saint Antonio Maria Gianelli (1789-1846), protector of the Val di Vara. From the hamlet of Cerreta, we continue to Casa Stanga (206 m a.s.l.) and then follow the Vara river for a long stretch to Craviola (223 m a.s.l.). It continues up to Monte Rocche (497 m a.s.l.) and then reaches Monte Vagie (620 m a.s.l.).
CLICK AND BROWSE
CLICK AND BROWSE
Activities
ActivitiesIn Carro and the surrounding area, it is possible to experience exciting days of sport in close contact with nature, combining the exploration of enchanting places and physical activity in a fantastic combination.
BIKING
Carro is a must for cycling enthusiasts who want to ride on more inland, isolated, less busy roads with varying degrees of difficulty. One of the most popular routes among enthusiasts is the one that runs around the perimeter of the Borgo, ascending from Ponte Margherita and then reaching Cerreta, continuing to Castello and heading in the direction of the Mola pass, then descending towards Carro passing by Ziona. There are several itineraries suitable for families but also for more experienced cyclists: for the latter, there are lots of options, from the route of one or more stages of the Alta Via dei monti liguri (422 km equipped with e-bike recharging points) to the certified mountain bike and gravel trails around Carrodano, a few kilometres from Carro.
VAL DI VARA ADVENTURE PARK
In a forest of one hundred and fifty hectares of holm oaks, cedars, spruces and oaks, at Tavarone in the municipality of Maissana (centre of the Alta Val di Vara), visitors can experience an adventure park, suitable for the whole family and for all levels, from beginners to experts. Aerial trails, Tibetan and Nepalese bridges, lianas, swinging logs and many other exciting activities all surrounded by nature. There is also the opportunity to enjoy an electrifying 250 m zip-line experience, a single-span tree-to-tree descent designed for the more adventurous.
HORSE RIDING
In Val di Vara, it is possible to go horse trekking by making short day or stage excursions along the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri, starting from the stables in the municipality of Rocchetta Vara. There is also no shortage of stables in the area where you can take riding lessons, in groups or individually, such as those in Follo, Godano, San Pietro Vara or Varese Ligure. Different levels of excursions and lessons are available, from those for beginners to more experienced riders.
On the river
On the riverThe Vara river, which meets at the bottom of the valley at Ponte Santa Margherita (one of the entrance gates to the hamlet of Carro), allows for regular river activities such as rafting, canoe-kayak and canyoning.
Having over time become one of the most popular rivers for river sports enthusiasts throughout Europe, it is also possible to go fishing in the Vara. After autumn or spring rains, the river is navigable along the stretch from San Pietro Vara to Padivarma. The smaller watercourses also allow for river sports: the Gottero torrent, with its gorges surrounded by greenery, is ideal for canyoning.
The most interesting stretch for river sports is the one between Sesta Godano and Brugnato.
Where its waters calm down and the river forms wide bends, as in Rocchetta Vara, in the summer it is possible to use the numerous small beaches as an alternative to the crowded seaside resorts on the coast.
RAFTING
Rafting is a river descent on a special raft which is unsinkable and self-emptying. The crew (4-8 people in wetsuits, high-flotation jackets and helmets) steers the boat through the rapids using paddles. Rafting is a sport in its own right and the Italian Rafting Federation organises the annual Italian Championships in which numerous clubs compete in the various disciplines (cross-country, speed, slalom).
CANOA
Downriver canoeing is a sport that involves navigating rivers with a canoe-kayak. The routes are sections of rivers with varying degrees of difficulty from grade I to VI. This discipline is carried out at an amateur or competitive level. The boats used are both kayaks and Canadian canoes. Both types can be either single-seater or two-seater.
FISHING
In the river Vara there is a wide variety of fish and sport fishing is popular. Certainly the most difficult and sought-after prey is the brown trout, an indigenous species, which has been reintroduced in recent years, allowing the uniqueness of the waterways to be preserved. A trout reserve has been created along the course of the torrent that descends to Sesta Godano from Mount Gottero.
