Volastra – Sella Monte Galera
Trail 585, historically known as 6b, is an ancient mule track connecting the hillside village of Volastra with the watershed that separates the Cinque Terre coast from the Val di Vara.
This itinerary is mainly of naturalistic interest and allows you to immerse yourself in woodland environments, offering a perspective on the inland area that is less shaped by human presence than the coastal routes.
The itinerary begins just beyond the inhabited area of Volastra, where the route branches off to the right from trail 506. The first section climbs through dense chestnut woodland along the south-eastern side of Monte Le Croci.
Continuing uphill, the trail reaches the southern side of Monte Capri. Here the vegetation gradually changes into mixed woodland, where chestnut trees give way to downy oaks, maritime pines and holm oaks.
In the final section, just below the Costa Galera pass, trail 585 joins trail 502. Together they finally reach Sella di Monte Galera, an important hiking crossroads where the route connects with the Alta Via delle Cinque Terre, AV5T.
Useful info
- Vegetation: the route crosses significantly shaded areas, including chestnut woods and holm oak woods, making it a good option even on warmer days
- Footwear: as this is a woodland mule track with steady gradients, suitable hiking shoes are essential
- Multimodality: the trail is classified as suitable both for walking and for mountain biking
Photogallery
Note
A wooded, shadier stretch: it can work even in summer, provided you don’t set out during the hottest part of the day.
