Holiday apartment in Monade Santa Lucia: cycling, hiking and culture

Monade Santa Lucia combines a circular cycling route with an uphill hiking trail and historical themes. The Golfo Dianese circular cycling route follows Via delle Vallette through Monade and continues to Colla di Diano San Pietro.

Cycling through the Golfo Dianese

The Golfo Dianese circular cycling route is approximately 70 kilometres long and can be ridden by both mountain bike and gravel bike. It is considered an excursion featuring numerous historical and cultural sights. The approximate distance provides an important framework for planning the duration of a cycling tour without specifying an exact time requirement. The type of bicycle remains a separate practical planning consideration, with a choice between a mountain bike and a gravel bike. The cycling tour can therefore be planned as a standalone part of the day.

Hiking between woodland and a pilgrimage site

The Anello della Rovere hiking trail climbs towards Località Monade and then continues along an unpaved road. The trail passes through a small woodland of downy oaks and stone pines before reaching the Pineta di Poiolo. The circular route also includes the Santuario di Nostra Signora della Rovere, which is considered a pilgrimage site that has existed since the earliest times. When hiking in Borgata Monade, the route leaves the built-up area characterised by villas with gardens and enters the countryside. The ascent, surface conditions and transition between the built-up area and the countryside provide concrete reference points for personal tour planning. The cycling tour and the hike require different priorities: distance and bicycle type are the focus in one case, while ascent and surface conditions take centre stage in the other.

Churches, cisterns and a museum

In the host municipality of Diano Castello stands the Romanesque church of Santa Maria Assunta, built in the 13th century. Also in the host municipality, the present-day Baroque church of San Nicola da Bari was built between 1699 and 1717. The two churches represent different architectural periods: Santa Maria Assunta represents the 13th-century Romanesque period, while San Nicola da Bari represents the Baroque period between 1699 and 1717. The Lone are underground cisterns in which rainwater was collected. The Convento delle Suore Clarisse houses a museum about the life and work of the nun. Those interested in culture can explore Romanesque and Baroque church architecture, rainwater collection and the history of religious orders in the host municipality.

Vermentino and local events

In the context of the host municipality of Diano Castello, the Premio Vermentino offers tastings, exhibitions, conferences, guided tours and walks. Markets featuring local products, street food, evening events and themed dishes are also part of the programme. At the Premio Vermentino, culinary offerings thus sit alongside exhibitions, conferences and guided activities. Diano Castello’s 2025 Christmas programme included a Santa Lucia festival in Borgata Monade scheduled for 15 December.

Further destinations: Ville San Pietro, Piani Paorelli, Cipressa, Calvo, Camporosso, Isolalunga, Trucco and Borghetto D'arroscia.

To the higher-level travel overview: Imperia.