Oltrepò Pavese MTB: Via del Sale and Ceregate ghost village
Route information
- Region / area
- Lombardia
- Province / area
- Pavia
- Country
- Italy
- GPX starting point
- Lat. 44.77055, lon. 9.23932
- Track length
- Approximately 23.8 km
- Estimated ascent
- 1,170 m
- Estimated descent
- 1,170 m
- Minimum GPX elevation
- 545 m
- Maximum GPX elevation
- 1,528 m
Distance and elevation are estimates from the GPX and may differ from GPS-device calculations.
Our loop begins at Casanova Staffora, near Varzi, climbing towards the Madonna del Bocco sanctuary and the historic Via del Sale between Varzi and the sea.
At Pian della Mora, turn right and follow the Via del Sale for about 10 km. Descend towards Negruzzo, first on a broad military road. After crossing the provincial road to Pej, join a trail where rocks, roots and switchbacks test riding technique.
The views are memorable. Cencerate, Pianostano and Barostro emerge from the beech woods of Val Staffora. From Negruzzo, a rough, almost hidden path leads several hundred metres lower towards the destination.
Ceregate is a group of seven abandoned stone houses. The original account describes a village without mains electricity or running water, whose last resident left in 1986.
After visiting, continue along the path following the Staffora stream at different levels until Cegni.
Nearby routes
Other routes whose starting points are near this route. This does not imply similar difficulty or terrain.