Our dog Lume loves the water. It makes little difference to her whether it is a small woodland pool, a lively river or the open sea. As soon as she hears water rushing, splashing or gently bubbling somewhere nearby, there is hardly any stopping her.
For walks with our dog, we are especially fond of the countryside behind Imperia. While life along the coast can be busy, the area around Prelà is still home to peaceful paths, shady woodland and small swimming spots hidden among rocks and lush greenery. The walk itself is part of the experience. You pass old dry-stone walls, wander through olive groves and discover chapels, abandoned mills and paths that seem to have remained unchanged for many years.
One of the loveliest things about the Ligurian countryside is that you can walk almost anywhere. Old farm tracks, woodland trails and paths through the olive groves connect the small villages and invite you simply to set off and explore. Naturally, walls, plants and private property should always be treated with respect, and any signs along the way should be observed.
It goes without saying that dog waste should always be picked up. This applies not only in the villages and along the roads, but also in the olive groves. What may look like a quiet, untouched meadow in summer is actually cultivated land. Sooner or later, the olive harvest begins, and people will be working in those very places, spreading nets beneath the trees and gathering olives from the ground. For us, carrying a few waste bags is therefore simply part of every walk.
To the Madonna dei Sette Dolori Near Casa Carli
One of our favourite walks begins at the large bend in the road, around 200 metres before the entrance to Casa Carli near Prelà. The starting point is rather inconspicuous, but after only a few steps you leave the road behind and enter the peaceful landscape of the Ligurian countryside.
The path leads between trees, bushes and old stone walls. After a while, you pass the abandoned chapel of Madonna dei Sette Dolori. It stands quietly beside the path and has an almost enchanted atmosphere. It is one of those places where you automatically slow down and begin to wonder how many people must have passed this way in earlier times.
After the chapel, continue along the path and keep right whenever it divides. With every step, the valley feels a little more untouched. Eventually, you begin to hear the water before you can see it through the trees.
Once we reach the river, the best part of the excursion begins for Lume. Between the rocks and small pools, there is almost always somewhere to paddle, wade or swim. Depending on the season and the water level, the river looks slightly different every time. That is precisely what makes this place so appealing.
The path is not signposted, but it is easy to find.
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From Caneto Down to the Water
The second walk begins at the roundabout in Caneto. As there are only a few suitable parking spaces in the small village, we prefer to leave the car in Praelo and walk along the road from there to Caneto.
Even this first section captures the special atmosphere of the Ligurian countryside. Houses, gardens and olive
groves stretch across the hillsides, and a new view of the valley opens up around every bend.
At the roundabout, follow the continuation of the road. Before long, the road becomes a country track and the surroundings grow increasingly peaceful. Shortly after the hiking sign marked with the number 704, the path divides. Take the left-hand branch and then continue straight ahead.
The path winds pleasantly through the landscape and is particularly enjoyable for dogs that like a slightly longer walk. Lume makes the most of the journey, sniffing and exploring everything along the way. At the end, the river awaits, together with a well-earned chance to cool off.
In summer, we prefer to go early in the morning or towards
evening. The path is less hot at those times of day, and the light falls especially beautifully through the trees. Although the destination is a river, it is still advisable to carry enough drinking water for both people and dogs. In summer temperatures, the walk to the water can feel longer than expected.
The Small Swimming Spot Between Tavole and Villatalla
A long walk is not always necessary. Sometimes we simply want to reach the water quickly, and Lume certainly feels the same. On days like these, the swimming spot between Tavole and Villatalla is ideal.
You can leave the car near the Partisans’ Memorial. From there, walk towards the bridge. Shortly before reaching it, a narrow path leads into the woods on the left-hand side. The entrance is easy to miss, as the path can become slightly overgrown depending on the season.
Once you have found the trail, the road quickly disappears behind the trees. The path leads through the woodland and down towards the water. This is not an extensive walk, but rather a short detour to a particularly lovely swimming spot.
The water lies calm and sheltered between rocks, trees and dense greenery. For Lume, that is more than enough: straight into the water, back out again, a quick shake and then immediately back in. Anyone with a dog who loves swimming just as much will probably know this routine very well.
Care should be taken on the way down. The forest floor can be damp, and some of the stones may be slippery. With sturdy shoes, however, the short path is easy to manage.
Off the Lead, With a Little Awareness
The peaceful paths of the Ligurian countryside offer plenty of opportunities for dogs to run freely. Lume loves trotting ahead, coming back to us and investigating every interesting scent beside the path.
Even so, it is important to remain attentive. Walkers, other dogs or occasionally wild animals may appear around the next bend. A reliable recall is therefore essential.
Dogs should also be watched carefully near the water. After heavy rainfall, even small rivers can carry a surprising amount of water. The current may become much stronger, and stones that are normally easy to walk across can become slippery or completely submerged. When in doubt, it is better to wait for a calmer day.
And What If Lume Prefers the Sea?
As much as Lume loves the rivers and natural pools of the countryside, sometimes it simply has to be the sea. On those days, we most enjoy going to Borgo Prino in Imperia.
There, a walk beside the water can be combined perfectly with a swimming break. While we enjoy the view across the sea, Lume is usually already carefully working out the quickest route into the water.
Swimming in the sea is, of course, a completely different experience from bathing in a quiet river beneath the trees. The air smells of salt, waves roll towards the shore and the world suddenly seems very wide at the horizon. For Lume, however, there appears to be very little difference. Water is water, and water means pure joy.
Discovering Liguria’s Quieter Side on Four Paws
Anyone who knows Liguria only from its coastline should make time to explore the countryside with their dog. There are no major tourist attractions here and no perfectly signposted circular walks. Instead, you will find narrow paths, old chapels, shady woods and small rivers where you may have the surroundings entirely to yourself for a while.
You do not need very much. Sturdy shoes, some drinking water, a towel for the dog and, of course, a few waste bags are all that is required. Then you simply follow the path until you hear the water.
Lume usually knows that we have arrived long before we do.
As a small guide, I have marked the starting points for our favourite swimming spots here:
