Forte Begato and the Western Walls

Forte Begato and the western stretch of the Mura Nuove form the western end of the Parco Urbano delle Mura, the fortified ridge above the Certosa and Rivarolo districts of Genoa in Liguria, Italy. The New Walls total 12 km, and the forts are linked by over 16 km of roads and paths, so Begato works best as an extension rather than a stand-alone climb. The usual access is the Zecca-Righi funicular from Largo della Zecca to Righi, after which walkers follow the ridge road past Castellaccio and Sperone toward Begato. No permit is required. The extension from Forte Sperone takes about 1 to 2 hours and the ridge is walked at roughly 450 to 500 m, so the elevation gain is modest and the route is classed as easy. Surfaces are mostly old military roads and compacted tracks, with occasional uneven stone and some stretches of tarmac. There is little shade, and the open ridge catches wind, so sun protection and a light layer are useful. The key landmark is Forte Begato itself, one of the principal forts of the 19th-century ring, standing above the western districts with views down toward the Polcevera valley and the coast. The fortress walls running along the ridge give the western section its character, and walkers can follow them for as long as they wish. A natural turn-around point is Forte Begato, from which the same ridge road leads back to Righi and the funicular. There are no refuge huts on the route, and drinking water should be carried from the city. Trail shoes and water are the main requirements. Because the walk is an add-on, it suits visitors who have already done the Righi to Sperone section and want to see more of the wall system without a significant increase in difficulty.