Cima delle Saline, from lower Carnino
Edited by:
redazione
Updated at: 18/01/2026
Access
From the Ceva exit on the motorway, join the ordinary road network following the signs for Val Tanaro. Follow the valley up the course of the stream and reach the village of Ormea. Continue past the village in the direction of Ponte di Nava, staying on the main road. Once over the bridge, take the branch-off to the right signposted for Viozene and Upega, beginning the climb towards the upper valley.
Continue along the valley floor road until you reach Viozene; beyond the village, between Viozene and Upega, spot a minor road signposted for Carnino on the right. Follow it for about 2 km until you reach Carnino Inferiore, a small cluster of houses located in the heart of the upper Tanaro valley. Park in the spaces available at the entrance or near the built-up area 🅿️, without hindering local transit.
Distance and travel time
🕒 Travel time: 61 minutes
📏 Distance: 56.1 km
GPS navigation
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ℹ️ Important note
The information provided was checked on the date of the route survey. Before departure, it is advisable to check for any changes to the route. For up-to-date and detailed directions, we recommend the use of Google Maps or Apple Maps.
Introduction
The Cima delle Saline (2,612 m) dominates the upper Tanaro Valley with its characteristic limestone outline, on the border between Piedmont and Liguria, in the heart of the Marguareis Massif. The hike from Carnino Inferiore follows the ancient route of the Via del Sale (Salt Road), which connected the Piedmontese plain to the ports of the Riviera di Ponente via the passes of the Ligurian Alps. The route crosses a wide variety of environments - from the mixed forests and wide grasslands at the bottom of the valley to the vast high-altitude karst plateaus - offering a close-up view of the typically calcareous morphology of this mountain group.
The itinerary is classified as E (Excursionist): it requires good training and familiarity with the differences in altitude, especially in the upper part, where the terrain becomes steeper and more scree-covered.
Description
0h00' 0.00km From the car park at the end of the hamlet of Carnino Inferiore (municipality of Ormea), proceed briefly back along the road as far as the chapel of San Rocco, near which there are the signposts for the Ciarlo-Bossi refuge and the Cima delle Saline peak.
0h05' 0.00km Take the mule track that climbs northwards through terraced meadows and small pastures, a remnant of ancient farming activities. The path soon enters a beech and larch forest, climbing steadily up the orographic left side of the valley. The view gradually opens out over the Carnino valley and the limestone walls that frame it.
0h05' 0.00km On reaching Tetti delle Donzelle, the trail meets the coming from Viozene. Continue following the signs for Passo delle Saline, with the possibility of a short diversions (5 min) to reach the Rifugio Ciarlo-Bossi (1,526m), set in a bright larch forest.
0h05' 0.00km Returning to the GTA route, from the Rifugio Ciarlo-Bossi we turn left and enter the lower section of the Vallone delle Saline, beginning the long ascent to the pass. The path initially climbs up the orographic left bank, gradually recessing between limestone walls and scree, as it accompanies the course of the stream that has carved out the narrow and characteristic Gola delle Saline (about 1,800 m). Having passed this more closed section, with a few hairpin bends, a traverse halfway up a stream allows us to move onto the orographic right-hand side. The terrain then becomes more open and the valley stretches out into wide high-altitude pastures: cross a first clearing with a cross at an altitude of 1,872 m, then climb a grassy ridge that leads to a meadow terrace. Beyond the last pastures, the slope becomes steeper again and finally leads to the wide Passo delle Saline (2174 m), a wide notch between the Cima delle Saline and Monte Mongioie, already overlooking the side of the Ellero valley.
1h45' 0.00km From the pass, proceed westwards, following a track that is not very marked in places and climbs the scree and grassy ridge. The path becomes steeper and stonier in the final section, but the reference of the summit ridge always remains evident. After a final rocky step, you reach the Cima delle Saline (2,612m), which is wide and scenic, with views sweeping from the Maritime Alps to the Ligurian Sea [3h330'T2] 0.00km .
Return along the same route up to Carnino Inferiore (approx. 2.30 h downhill). Alternatively, from the Passo delle Saline it is possible to descend in the Valle Ellero to the Rifugio Mondovì - Havis De Giorgio (1761 m), from where it is possible to return to the pass and from there to Carnino.
.Points of Interest
- Lower Carnino
- Ciarlo-Bossi Refuge
- Saltine Pass
- Ormea