Monte Cucco, from Brizzolara

Access

From the Lavagna motorway tollbooth, take the road to Val d'Aveto, with two access options for Belpiano: the first, about 1 km before Borzonasca (7 km long, a bit narrow), or you can go past the village, along the SP 586, and after 2.5 km, past Brizzolara, turn left.

Introduction

Mount Cucco is a peak that stands out along the southeast buttress of the Ramaceto. The summit is grassy, with a cone-like shape, and is situated in the upper Sturla valley, above Borzonasca, at the edge of the Aveto valley, which begins shortly afterwards. The summit cross is a beautiful balcony offering splendid views in all directions...

Description

Following is some general information, with a brief description: You park (484 m) near the religious building and, almost opposite, a marked path climbs up into the forest, skirting the (closed) picnic area. You pass the houses of the upper hamlet and a barn still in operation... After a wooden bridge, which is a little shaky, we enter a thick and dense forest. The cobbled road gains height with frequent hairpin bends and we reach several farmhouses, a couple of which are still standing while others are reduced to ruins. One perseveres on the ascent and flat stretches are rare. Then you come out into a more open environment, cutting across the mountain ridge on a thin track (a minimum of attention). In 20', there is the ridge. We turn left for a short straight section, losing a few metres before the final ramp that leads to the summit, 1050 metres high.
The total outward journey takes about 2h15, to the cross of Monte Cucco. After a stop, the return is by the ascent route (approx. 1h45).  
In summary. Dif. E - 4h Tot. (2h15 go. and 1h45 return excluding breaks) - 7 km - height difference +600 m. Ride comfort: almost sufficient, but perceived as poor on the descent. Best period: autumn and spring. Tour interest: high. Weather: good, not too cold and not too windy, although it is different in the city...

If you want, here is the photo pdf file, with some other news:
http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/MonteCucco021.pdf

http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/anno2021.htm 
http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/altre2021.htm

NB: In the case of an excursion, always check with FIE, Cai, any park authority or other institutions, pro loco, etc., that there have been no changes to the route, that there have been no changes that have increased the difficulties! No liability is accepted. The present text is purely indicative and not exhaustive.

Info Hiking Section Cral Galliera: http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/esc.htm 
Trips 2021 at the link: http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/gite021.pdf