Val Graveglia, Chiavari

Liguria

Val Graveglia above Chiavari in eastern Liguria is a narrow valley of slate-roofed villages — the black slate (lavagna, which gives the Italian word for 'blackboard') is quarried here and has roofed Ligurian houses for 2,000 years. Ancient chestnut terraces. Abandoned villages reclaimed by forest. The Quarry Museum (Museo delle Lavagne) tells the slate story. Peregrine on the valley walls. Dogs off-leash.

Duration

3 hours

Distance

8 km

Elevation

+400 m

Best season

Year-round

Highlights

Slate (lavagna) quarried here for 2,000 years — gives Italian word for blackboard
Ancient chestnut terrace landscape — finest abandoned village scenery in Liguria
Museo delle Lavagne — the only slate quarry museum in Italy