The Gulf of La Spezia is one of those places where a tourist still succeeds in finding small treasures, where untouched environments still exist, next to tourist famous and crowded locations, with small jewels that escape the great masses of coaches and package tours.

The Spezia Gulf gathers head of itself three islands: Tinetto, where there are still the remains of a little V century church; Tino, with its splendid remains of the S. Venerio monastery, and Palmaria, an absolutely unpolluted island of electric blue seawater.
The islands can be easily reached with steamboats from Portovenere, which certainly needs no introduction. On the opposite shore, charming Lerici, from which you can start a splendid and unusual walk to Montemarcello and the coast's villages.

Montemarcello is a typical fortified village with traces of the ancient walls still visible, and built along the road that leads to the characteristic town entrance gate. It can be reached by car, or by bus from Lerici or Sarzana. Particularly to be seen is a 1400's church, which still holds admirable sculptures and painting works, the Porta (Gate) and the Piazza XII Dicembre.

The recommended trail starts from the churchyard, where steps start leading down to an asphalt road, and from here a path indicated in red and white colours. This is a splendid walk among olive groves and cultivated fields, looking onto a breathtaking view, with the islands of Tino and Tinetto in the background; it is easy to discern finches, larks, redbreasts and blackcaps among the Aleppo pines, Holm oaks and other vegetable species, typical of the area.

At the end of the trail you will reach a wide clearing, which can be recognised by the remains of old military posts, an ideal place for a picnic. Getting lost in this area is really difficult, but a guide could of course, turn out handy; Sagep, in cooperation with the Ente Parchi Montemarcello Magra and the Ufficio Parchi e aree protette of the Liguria Region, give precise information on the trails to follow.

October.2001