Return trip from Spotorno to Castello di Monte Ursino

Spotorno seafront (lungomare)

Start anywhere on the seafront in Spotorno, and head out of town towards Luna Park

Terrazza a mare Ferrer Manuelli

Pause and enjoy the view from this colourful square. The castle in the centre of the second picture is where we're heading to.

Luna Park

Pass the entrance to the Luna Park fairground on your left and take the gravel path to the underpass. This will allow you to cross under the road just after the roundabout.

Underpass

Cross under the road

Junction by Casa al mare Dell'Incoronata

Turn left and left again as you come out of the underpass, then take the small road on your right which slopes upwards (Regione Torbora)

Antica via Noli Spotorno

Approximately 10 metres into this road, you will find the first sign for the ancient Roman way (Via Antica Noli Spotorno), marked with an orange 4 in a circle (look out for these along the way), telling you it is 40 minutes to Noli-Vescovado

Regione Torbora

The road here is a bit steep

Sign

That number 4 in a circle on the fence confirms you are going the right way

Arrows

Yellow arrows painted on the wall show you're still on track

Signs and arrows

The road narrows to a path and those yellow arrows and 4s in circles confirm it's the right one

Arrows and steps

More arrows to ensure you turn right up the steps here

Steps

More steps

The steps snake round to the left. Contine up.

Arrows

The arrows on the wall keep you going straight, and the path flattens out

Sea

You can see the sea through the olive trees

Beautiful view back over Spotorno from up here

Spotorno stretches out beneath you

Arrows

Arrows on the ground as you reach the paved path

More arrows on the ground

Continue straight

Signpost

Here, an official signpost directs you to continue straight for Noli, and the castle is back into view on the horizon

Fork left onto the path

The path forks off to the left and another sign with the number 4 in a circle marks the way

Sign

Another little 4 in a circle on a rail on the wall

Waymark

Another 4 on the wall

Turn right for the castle or continue straight on for Noli

The path rises, looking a bit like a little concrete bridge and there is another official signpost. We will turn right up the steps or slope to the castle, which the sign says is five minutes. Otherwise, you can continue straight to Noli-Vescovado (10 minutes). The sign says it is 30 minutes back to Spotorno.

Noli cemetery, car park

At the top of the steps, turn left into the cemetery car park, then fork right and follow the road up to the castle, of which you get perhaps the best view just after the car park

Castle view

Castle approach

As you approach the castle you have olive terraces on your right, the cemetery on your left, and on a clear day a fantastic view of the Ligurian coast behind you

Back of the castle

You reach a junction and the back gate of the castle, which is locked. Continue straight (downhill) to the entrance to the castle

Castello di Monte Ursino

Castle entrance

At the next intersection, turn left, and the entrance to the castle will be on your left. In summer, it is currently open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Castello di Monte Ursino

You can also catch a glimpse of Noli from near the castle entrance

Castello di Monte Ursino

Castello di Monte Ursino

From the top of the castle, you have fantastic views of Spotorno and Isola Bergeggi, and also of Noli