Genoa-Casella Narrow-Gauge Railway and Hill Trekking

The Genoa-Casella railway is a historic narrow-gauge line of about 24 km that climbs from Genova Manin station, at Piazza Manin, into the hills behind Genoa in Liguria, Italy, ending at Casella. It is managed by the Ferrovia Genova-Casella, linked to AMT, and offers a scenic route through villages, woods and viaducts that doubles as an access route for hill walks. The full journey normally takes around one hour each way. According to a 2026 report, only the Casella to Vicomorasso section has reopened, from 25 April 2026, on Saturdays and holidays, with a replacement bus from Piazza Manin for the rest of the line, so visitors should check the current timetable on ferroviagenovacasella.it before travelling. Tickets are sold at the Manin counter or at the ticket machine at Casella, in zone fares for one, two or three zones; fares have not been verified for 2026. The ride itself needs no skills, and the walking is rated easy because the stations give access to gentle paths, although longer hill routes become moderate and need basic fitness. Equipment is simple: hiking shoes, a rain jacket and water, since services at the small stations are limited. Operator safety follows standard Italian railway rules, with staff on board and emergency response through the national number 112; walkers on trails should carry a phone and tell someone their route, as signal can be patchy in the valleys. The best periods are April to June and September to November, when temperatures suit walking and the hills are green or turning autumn colours; midsummer can be hot, and winter rain or fog may make paths slippery. The line also attracts railway enthusiasts, and the contrast between the dense city and the quiet woodland a short distance inland is a main draw. Because the line is subject to works and service changes, a flexible plan and a backup bus option are advisable.