Hiking Safely in Genoa: The Anello dei Forti and What the Mountain Rescue Data Shows
- Manuela Scarcella
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
In 2025, Liguria's Alpine and Cave Rescue Service (Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico) was called out 551 times on the region's trails — fewer than the year before, but still a high number. Its president, Roberto Canese, doesn't mince words: most call-outs don't happen on extreme routes, but from simple mistakes. People setting off in the hottest hours right after a swim, wearing flip-flops instead of hiking boots, without checking the forecast or carrying enough water.
We're not telling you this to scare you. We're telling you because a little care goes a long way, and because Genoa has, just steps from the city centre, a perfect trail to start slow, learn your limits, and enjoy it without unnecessary risk.
The Anello dei Forti Genoa: the Right Trail to Start With
It's called the Anello dei Forti Genoa, and it links Forte Sperone, Forte Puin, Forte Fratello Minore and Forte Diamante: four 19th-century fortifications built to defend the city, abandoned today but still imposing, with a 360-degree view over the gulf that's hard to forget.
Getting there: start from the upper station of the Zecca-Righi funicular, which departs from Largo della Zecca in the heart of the historic centre. From there, following the Parco delle Mura (City Walls Park), you'll reach the actual trailhead.
How long it takes: the full loop takes about 3-4 hours, with roughly 400 metres of elevation gain. It's a well-marked route, suitable even for those who aren't experienced hikers — but it's still a hike, not a stroll through town, and should be treated as one.
Between History and Legend
The forts along the Ring are part of the Mura Nuove (New Walls), built by the Republic of Genoa between 1626 and 1639 after an attempted Savoyard-French invasion: they're among the longest city walls in Europe, a defensive triangle starting right at Forte Sperone, its highest point.
Forte Diamante, the most isolated and photographed of the Ring, was built between 1756 and 1758 thanks to an initial contribution of 50,000 lire from Marquis Giacomo Filippo Durazzo. It became famous in the spring of 1800, during the Siege of Genoa: the Austrian general Count von Hohenzollern demanded the surrender of the French commander Bertrand, who refused in the name of military honour. Among the soldiers who took part in the fighting to defend the forts was a 22-year-old officer, Ugo Foscolo, wounded in an assault in which he lost a friend.
Another, lesser-known episode: on the night between 28 and 29 June 1857, a group of around fifty Mazzinian-inspired rebels tried to seize the Diamante, in coordination with Carlo Pisacane's Sapri expedition. The attempt failed, and Sergeant Pastrone died in the clash.
Even the names tell a story: "Sperone" ("Spur") comes from the shape of the bastion, similar to a ship's bow; "Puin", in Genoese dialect, means "godfather", because the fort watched over the neighbouring Due Fratelli. Puin itself, restored in a €720,000 project, reopened to the public in November 2025 after years of closure.
There's no shortage of legends either, best taken with a grain of salt: tales of a secret passage between Sperone and Diamante (it never existed — it was just a sally port) and of a ghost that appeared during a 19th-century séance in Sperone's stables. Stories passed down from guide to guide, adding a touch of mystery to the walk.
What Mountain Rescue Says
Every summer, Soccorso Alpino Liguria repeats more or less the same advice. It's worth listening before you set off, not after:
Plan ahead: assess your physical fitness and choose your route accordingly, whether it's along sea cliffs or inland.
Proper footwear, always: no flip-flops or open sandals, even if the trail looks easy at the start.
Carry enough water, especially in the warmer months: it's the most common cause of illness along Liguria's trails.
Check the weather before you leave, not while you're already on the trail.
Avoid the hottest hours, especially right after a swim in the sea: it's one of the most common mistakes reported by Mountain Rescue.
If you run into trouble, call 112: it's the number to use for a mountain emergency too, not just in the city.
If You Want to Go Further: the Cinque Terre
If you fancy a full day away from Genoa, consider the Via dell'Amore, between Riomaggiore and Manarola, in the Cinque Terre. It's worth knowing upfront that it isn't a demanding trail: it's a flat, paved walkway about a kilometre long, overlooking the sea, suitable for everyone — but it requires an online booking with a fixed time slot and the purchase of the Cinque Terre Card. It's a separate outing, not something to squeeze in on the same afternoon as the Forts: budget at least an hour by train or car just to get there.
Where to Stay to Set Off Without Rushing
Acquario House Genoa's historic centre Acquario House
We recommend Acquario House for anyone taking on the Anello dei Forti without the hassle: it's just a few minutes' walk from the Zecca-Righi funicular, so you can set off early in the morning — the best time to walk, before the heat arrives — without arranging any transport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Anello dei Forti di Genova located?
You can reach it from the upper station of the Zecca-Righi funicular, in Genoa's historic centre, following the Parco delle Mura.
How long does the hike to Genoa's Forts take?
About 3-4 hours for the full loop, with roughly 400 metres of elevation gain. It's suitable even for those who aren't experienced hikers, but it's a genuine hike all the same.
How many rescues does Mountain Rescue carry out in Liguria each year?
In 2025 there were 551, mostly linked to avoidable mistakes: unsuitable footwear, lack of water, and hiking during the hottest hours.
Who built Genoa's Forts, and when?
They're part of the Mura Nuove, built by the Republic of Genoa between 1626 and 1639. Forte Diamante, the best known, was built between 1756 and 1758.
Is the Via dell'Amore in Genoa?
No, it's in the Cinque Terre, between Riomaggiore and Manarola, over an hour from Genoa. It requires an online booking and the purchase of the Cinque Terre Card.
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