Shady paths and the fresh air of the woods just a stone's throw from the town centre.
Hiking along the ridges
from Bruzeta to Colle Zuccaro
Carrosio is not just a village and a geological site: it is also the gateway to an Apennine landscape of quiet ridges, cool woods and sweeping views. Among the most picturesque routes is the one linking Monte Bruzeta (626 m), the green heart of the community, to the highest Colle Zuccaro (767 m), a natural balcony between Liguria and Piedmont.
From the village to the pine forest
The route starts from the centre of Carrosio and climbs towards the Pineta del Bruzeta, a reforested area of over 70 hectares which, over the years, has become a green lung and a place for socialising. Here, the paths wind their way through fir trees, broom and seasonal blooms: the walk is easy, accompanied by the scent of resin and birdsong. A stop at La Baita, a picnic area, is the perfect prelude to the hike.
Ascent towards the ridges
From Bruzeta, the path continues north-east, following the watershed between the Lemme and Scrivia valleys. You walk through pine forests and scrubland, with sections offering views of pastures and old farmhouses now in ruins, such as Carpenè. It is a landscape that tells a story of abandonment and return, of working the fields and the slow power of nature reclaiming its space.
At the summit of Colle Zuccaro
Upon reaching Colle Zuccaro, the view is a surprise. Here, during the Second World War, there stood a small air traffic control hut: today, only the perimeter walls remain, silent traces of a recent history. But the view stretches further: to the south, one can make out the Antola and Monte Tobbio; to the north, the Po Valley; and on the clearest days, the silhouette of the snow-capped Alps. It is one of those places where one’s breath deepens, and the walk finds its reward in the vastness of the landscape.
A border walk
Colle Zuccaro marks the border between the provinces of Genoa and Alessandria, between Liguria and Piedmont. Walking here means standing on a threshold: two worlds that meet, two landscapes that intertwine. It is not just a hiking route, but a journey through regional identities that have been in dialogue for centuries.
Why choose this trek
This route is ideal for those looking for a half-day hike, not too demanding but highly rewarding. The elevation gain is moderate, the paths are easy to follow, and the variety of the landscape – woods, ridges, ruins, views – offers a continuous narrative.
The trek from Bruzeta to Colle Zuccaro is the best way to discover the “higher” spirit of Carrosio: a journey that weaves together nature, history and geography, inviting you to slow down to listen to the silence of the woods and take in the horizon of the mountains and the plain.
Trekking Itinerary:
From Bruzeta to Colle Zuccaro
Route: Carrosio → Bruzeta Pine Forest → Carpenè Farmhouse → Colle Zuccaro → return
- Distance: 9 km round trip
- Elevation gain: +350 m
- Walking time: 4h (excluding stops)
- Difficulty: E (hiking, ridge trails)
- Points of interest: sweeping views, pine forest, historical ruins, Liguria-Piedmont border
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