Leaving Milan and arriving in Sestri Levante with a backpack on your shoulders may not be a holiday for everyone, but it is certainly one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the history of the Oltrepò Pavese along the ancient roads of the Celts. As has already been said several times on these screens, the Celts represented a fundamental point in local history, leaving evidence that can still be found in everyday life today.
Today, the Celts‘ Trail is a re-enactment of the roads once trodden by this population. Emanuele Mazzadi, architect and hiking and environmental guide is the mind behind this new form of experiential tourism. Thanks to the help of a cohesive and enterprising team, it has been possible to realise this feat that smacks of the great achievements of past eras. The Sentiero dei Celti is a direct link from Milan to the sea, passing through the Oltrepò Pavese and its beautiful landscapes. It is identified as a true Cammino, recalling the routes leading to Santiago de Compostela, thanks to the blue arrow used in the signage and the characteristic helmet of Pùlica, the warrior found in Fosdinovo belonging to the Ligurian tribe.
The route runs in 10 stages and 220 kilometres, starting from Milan Cathedral and reaching the seafront of Sestri Levante in Liguria. It is in the middle that we find the Quattro Province, an area of plains, hills and peaks to be experienced in a slow way thanks to this route. From Canneto Pavese to Caminata through the romantic atmosphere of the vineyards and intersecting with other local trails such as the Sentiero del Tidone and the Via degli Abati. The Oltrepò Pavese has always been an important crossroads of trade and development and the revival of these routes is a sign of a return to nature on the trail of past history that never ceases to intrigue the public.
Like any self-respecting path, the Sentiero dei Celti also has its own credential where one can affix the stamps of the places visited, the true document that every traveller must possess. The route does not present such difficulties as to be impassable, but is on the contrary the best way to experience the Oltrepò Pavese, Val Trebbia and Val d‘Aveto at your own pace and that of the surrounding nature. There is no shortage of facilities for overnight stays and refreshment, and the signage is clearly recognisable. All these factors are indications of an adventure undertaken out of passion, but also with knowledge to make the territory usable and knowable by all.
