502 (former no. 02) Tornate Groppo - Sella M. Galera

• Forward time:  1 hour 45 minutes
• Return time: 1 hour/s 5 minutes
• Difficulty Level: EE - For expert hikers
• Length: 2.101 km
• Difference in height: 528m

The trail sets off near the first switchback bend of the provincial road SP 51 Litoranea that links Manarola to the hamlet of Groppo. A few meters ahead, nearby the the fork to 506V Groppo, there are a fresh water fountain and a tabernacle called "Madonna del Piaggio". Leaving the fork to the left, the trail climbs up among vineyards along the ridge called Zuncone. After crossing trail 532C, it enters a wood of chestnuts and pine trees where it meets the dirt road Via dei Santuari (trail 530).

The trail keeps ascending while the vegetation around changes and downy oaks replace pine trees. Just before the trail meets the AV5T, in proximity of the hill pass called Sella Monte Galera, there is also the ending point of trail 585. Trail 502 continues, after crossing the AV5T, beyond the Park's boundary, to the village of San Benedetto.

Points of Interest:

• Localities crossed: Piè di Fiesse
• Plants: Pinewood of maritime pines, wood of chestnut trees, cultivated fields
• Ethnographical evidence: Madonna del Piaggio
• Services and shops: Manarola
• Points of water: 1 near the intersection with 506V

More information at mappe.parconazionale5terre.it:

• Detailed description
• Photos of the path
• Altimetry profile
• Interactive map