Holiday apartment in Vendone: Nature, History and Mountain Landscapes

Vendone is situated on the mid-level slopes of the Valle Arroscia, on hills shaped by olive groves in the hinterland of Albenga. The hillside location directs the view from the olive groves of the Valle Arroscia up towards Monte Castell’Ermo. Within the municipal area, different landscapes and historic places alternate.

Elevation zones, olive terraces and nature

The municipal area of Vendone extends from approximately 200 metres above sea level to the summit of Monte Castell’Ermo at 1,094 metres above sea level. Typical Mediterranean vegetation grows in the lower section, while the higher areas feature deciduous forests and meadows with a mountainous character. For a hike, this sequence is a tangible landscape feature because the vegetation changes with altitude. When observing the landscape, the view alternates between cultivated areas, forest and meadows.

Numerous terraces with typical dry-stone walls are cultivated with olive groves. On the terraces, dry-stone walls and olive groves should be viewed together as elements of the cultural landscape. Monte Castell’Ermo, also known as Peso Grande, lies on the ridge separating the Valle Arroscia from the Valle Pennavaire. In addition, the area is recognised by the European Union as a Site of Community Importance (SCI) and is home to several endemic animal and plant species of particular interest.

Hike starting from Borgo

Access to this hike is from Albenga via the provincial road towards Pieve di Teco. Then follow the signs to Vendone, continue to Curenna and turn towards Borgo, the starting point. For planning the hike, the approach route and the actual trailhead are therefore at different points along the route. The journey to the starting point can consequently be planned as a separate section before the hike, which begins in Borgo.

The history of Castellaro, Curenna and Vendone

In the hamlet of Castellaro are the visitable remains of the medieval Castello di Clavesana. The castle preserves an almost intact, approximately 25-metre-high hexagonal tower that served as a prison. Its former prison function is part of the architectural history of the hexagonal tower. The Parco Rainer Kriester in Torre (Castellaro district) was officially reopened to the public on 8 August 2026. In Curenna, impressive fortified houses stand steeply above the gorge of the Rio Paraone. The Chiesa di S. Calogero in Vendone dates from the 16th century.

Nature, hiking and history in Vendone

When planning a day in Vendone, nature, hiking and local history can be treated as different focal points. The hike to Borgo forms a separate activity. Landscape-related features include the elevation zones, the olive terraces and the ridge of Monte Castell’Ermo; historical references can be found in Castellaro, Curenna and Vendone. In Vendone, the hike to Borgo and the local history of Castellaro, Curenna and Vendone can be considered separate parts of the stay.

Other places in the region include Vellego, Giusvalla, Altare, Calice Ligure, Nasino-Borgo, Celle Ligure, Bergeggi and Stella.

About the Savona region: Savona.