Holiday apartment in Ponte Nizza: Greenway, cave and historic buildings

Ponte Nizza between the Greenway and local culture

Ponte Nizza reveals its attractions in more than one direction: the 33-kilometre Voghera-Varzi Greenway runs through San Ponzo Semola, while the Salice Terme-Varzi section of the same Greenway passes through Ponte Nizza. For route planning, the 33 kilometres of the Greenway, the 2.5-kilometre path to the Grotte di San Ponzo and the cultural sites in Pizzocorno and San Ponzo can be considered separately.

Holiday apartment in Ponte Nizza: discover paths and local connections

The choice of path also leads through different landscapes. The path from Sant'Albano to Risaia goes around the slopes of Monte Valle Grande. The path from Sant'Alberto to Moglie follows the course of the Rio Begna along the valley floor as far as Moglie. The path from Sant'Alberto to Sant'Albano connects the two places mainly via paved roads. Those choosing between these paths in Ponte Nizza encounter the slopes of Monte Valle Grande, the valley floor of the Rio Begna or mainly paved roads.

Grotte di San Ponzo and the Greenway route

The Grotte di San Ponzo lies in the immediate surroundings of Ponte Nizza's San Ponzo district and is built entirely from local stone. It is one of the most significant fossil-bearing sites in the Oltrepò Pavese. The cave can be reached via an approximately 3-kilometre consortium road. The path from San Ponzo to Guardamonte reaches it after 2.5 kilometres; it is an easy route with a steady, gradual ascent through the woods. When planning a visit, the consortium road and the path to Guardamonte can be considered separately: the road leads to the cave, while the woodland path reaches it after 2.5 kilometres and climbs steadily. The approximately 3-kilometre consortium road and the 2.5-kilometre path therefore form two different routes to the cave.

Castle, churches and a limestone spur

In Pizzocorno, Ponte Nizza, stands the Castello di Pizzocorno, a fortified castle dating from the 12th century. The Eremo di Sant'Alberto di Butrio provides a different historical accent: it lies at an altitude of 687 metres on a limestone spur rising from the valley floor and preserves a distinctive tower as a remnant of its fortified enclosure. The church of Sant'Alberto in the Eremo dates from the 12th century. In San Ponzo Semola, the Pieve di San Ponzo stands on the main square. The Castello di Pizzocorno and the church of Sant'Alberto both date from the 12th century. The Eremo lies on the limestone spur, whereas the Pieve di San Ponzo stands on the main square of San Ponzo Semola.

Local connection in Pizzocorno

In Pizzocorno, Ponte Nizza, Azienda Agricola Oranami processes all the milk produced there in its own on-farm cheese dairy. The cheese dairy in Pizzocorno complements the local castle with an agricultural connection within the municipality of Ponte Nizza.

Travel destinations: Ruino, Val di Nizza, Settimo, Moriano, Spessa, Casorate Primo, Torre Beretti and Carbonara al Ticino.

For the higher-level travel overview: Pavia.