Top 12 Mountain Passes around Neirone

Very beautiful views of Rapallo and the bay to Portofino

Relatively steep, high single digit

Climbing from Cicagna (north side) and passing through the hamlet of Dezerega, the road is mostly paved, with sections reaching gradients of over 20%. You gain 500 meters of elevation gain in about 5 km. It's very shaded, and from the Crocetta Pass, Rapallo is just a short drive away.

Challenging climb, but great satisfaction

February 15, 1945, La Squazza Massacre: On February 14, 1945, an Alpine soldier from Monterosa, a certain Mantovani, was in the La Squazza area (municipality of Borzonasca), heading towards the Forcella pass, where a contingent of Alpine soldiers was stationed. Some partisans recognized him as the one who had seen the mine system being laid around the Forcella stronghold. They then decided to capture him to get him to reveal the operation and exact location of the minefield and organized an ambush. But, while they were ordering him to “put your hands up!”, a group of German soldiers appeared on the road and a firefight ensued, during which Mantovani (probably shot by a Nazi) and a German were fatally shot. The partisans suffered no losses. The Nazi-fascist retaliation was immediate and ferocious and on February 15, ten partisans were taken from the prisons of Chiavari and transported on a truck to La Squazza, where they were murdered. The then deputy commissioner of the “Coduri”, “Miro” recounts that the ten partisans who were shot were left for three days in full view of everyone, with no one being allowed to attend to the funeral. The owner of the hotel in La Squazza, however, had approached the martyrs to try to bring them some, vain, help. "Miro" himself, when the news reached him, was charged, together with "Baffo", sent by the Area Command, to go to the site of the massacre to proceed with the identification of the bodies. Having arrived near La Squazza by chance, after having been targeted by mortar fire from the Alpine troops of Forcella, the two partisans took advantage of the guidance of an elderly local lady and her daughter, whom they met on the path, who collaborated with them until they got closer to the site of the massacre.

The Portello Pass is located at 1040m above sea level and connects the upper Trebbia Valley with the Fontanabuona Valley. From the pass you can enjoy an open view which, sweeping over the mountains, reaches all the way to the sea.

The Crocetta Pass (599 m), on the road between Rapallo and Coreglia Ligure, is an important Ligurian cycling destination. Also reachable by car, it represents the ideal starting point for excursions to Monte Pegge or Montallegro.

Also accessible by car, Passo della Crocceta is the starting point for Monte Pegge or Montallegro