Monte Saccarello, the Alpine Face of Liguria

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Articolo del October 25, 2026. Pubblicato in History and curiosities

When we talk about Liguria, the first image that usually comes to mind is the sea. However, just a short journey inland reveals a completely different side of the region. Overlooking the Argentina Valley, in far Western Liguria, stands Mount Saccarello, which at 2,201 metres is the highest peak in the whole of Liguria. It is a border mountain between Liguria, Piedmont and nearby France, located in the Ligurian Alps and, more precisely, within the municipality of Triora. From this privileged position, the views are magnificent: to the north rise the peaks of the Ligurian Alps, while to the south the view can reach the Mediterranean and, on the clearest days, even Corsica can be seen. Mount Saccarello is undoubtedly one of the places in Liguria where the relationship between sea and mountains becomes particularly evident.

Mount Saccarello and the Upper Argentina Valley

Around Mount Saccarello lies one of the most characteristic mountain environments of Western Liguria. As you climb through the Upper Argentina Valley, the landscape gradually changes: the olive groves and villages at lower elevations give way to woods, pastures and the wide slopes leading towards the mountains. It is a territory where human presence has always been closely connected to the mountains and pastoral farming. The old military roads, mule tracks and routes once used to travel between the valleys bear witness to a history shaped by crossings, agricultural activities and livestock farming.

A Mountain with a Border Character

The location of Mount Saccarello is particularly interesting from a geographical perspective as well. The summit lies close to the border between Liguria, Piedmont and France, in an area where, for centuries, people, animals and goods crossed the mountains along ancient routes. Here, the modern border is almost invisible in the landscape. The ridges naturally connect territories that today belong to different regions and countries but share history, traditions and Alpine culture. This is one of the most fascinating aspects of the Upper Argentina Valley: within just a few kilometres, you can move from Italian Liguria to the nearby French Roya Valley, in a territory where the mountains have always been an element of connection.

The Redentore Statue

One of the most recognisable symbols of Mount Saccarello is the large Redentore statue, located along the mountain ridge at an altitude of around 2,160 metres. The statue was inaugurated in 1901, as part of the tradition of monuments dedicated to Christ the Redeemer, erected on Italian mountains between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Reaching it during a hike adds a historical and cultural element to the visit: it is not simply about reaching the summit, but about crossing a landscape that preserves traces of the Alpine history of Western Liguria. Every year, on the first Sunday of August, the Festa del Redentore takes place, a celebration that has been held since the inauguration of the statue. The day begins with the celebration of Holy Mass, followed by a convivial aperitif offered to participants by the Associazione Festa del Redentore Monte Saccarello.

Hiking on Mount Saccarello

Mount Saccarello is a popular destination for hiking enthusiasts in Liguria. The summit can be reached via routes of different lengths and difficulty levels, starting from the Monesi area or the Upper Argentina Valley, where you can choose, according to your needs, to start for example from Verdeggia, Passo della Guardia or the Garezzo Tunnel. One of the most enjoyable experiences is walking along the ridges and the crest on clear days, when you can admire the mountains of the Ligurian Alps on one side and the Mediterranean coastline on the other. Before setting out, however, it is important to check the trail conditions: especially outside the summer season, snow, ice and weather conditions can significantly change the difficulty of the hike.

Saccarello Through the Seasons

Mount Saccarello changes appearance with the seasons, offering different landscapes and experiences throughout the year. In spring, as the winter snow melts, the high-altitude meadows gradually regain their colours and the blooming rhododendrons add vibrant touches of colour to the landscape. Summer generally offers favourable conditions for hiking at altitude, especially during the early hours of the day, when the air is cooler and visibility can provide wide views over the Ligurian Alps and towards the Mediterranean. In autumn, on the other hand, the colours of the vegetation change especially on the lower slopes of the mountain, where the foliage creates striking contrasts with the more open landscapes at higher elevations. Finally, with the arrival of winter, Saccarello completely changes its appearance: snow covers the pastures and trails, transforming the mountain into a harsher environment and making hikes considerably more demanding.

From the Mountains to the Sea

Perhaps the true value of Mount Saccarello lies precisely in its location. From the coast of Sanremo and the Riviera dei Fiori, it is possible to reach a high-mountain environment, with elevations exceeding 2,000 metres, in a relatively short time. This is one of the characteristics that makes Western Liguria particularly interesting for outdoor tourism: during the same trip, you can not only go to the beach, cycle along the coast, walk through olive groves or visit a medieval village, but also hike in the mountains of the Ligurian Alps. Mount Saccarello perfectly represents this vertical Liguria, where the Mediterranean and the mountains coexist just a few kilometres apart.

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