On Saturday, July 25, 2026, the Oltrepò Pavese opens its doors to an excursion that blends nature photography, a touch of adrenaline, and archaeology: the photographic trek organized by Volo di Rondine to the San Ponzo Caves and the brand-new Tibetan suspension bridge at Guardamonte.

A roughly 7-kilometer loop trail, almost entirely shaded by woodland, designed for families, amateur photographers and hikers eager to discover one of the most evocative corners of the Staffora Valley — among caves carved into sandstone, centuries-old chestnut groves and a recently built suspension bridge.

Backpack on, hiking boots laced up, camera (or smartphone) at the ready: the route winds through recently opened woodland trails, some of the most important fossil-bearing sites in the Oltrepò Pavese, and panoramas that suddenly open onto the Staffora Valley and the upper Apennines.

What's new in the 2026 edition: the Tibetan bridge and new trails

The new Tibetan bridge. The absolute highlight of this edition is crossing the newly inaugurated Tibetan bridge along the route: a safely managed, adrenaline-filled experience suspended over the valley, offering one of the most spectacular views in the whole Oltrepò Pavese and a photographic subject not to be missed.

The new trails. The group will get an early look at the newly opened nature trails in the Guardamonte area — previously unexplored paths offering views of the valley never seen before, alternating woodland stretches with brief panoramic openings.

The San Ponzo Caves. The historical and naturalistic heart of the excursion remains the visit to the San Ponzo Caves, nestled in a beautiful centuries-old chestnut grove and considered one of the most significant fossil-bearing sites in the entire Oltrepò Pavese.

The San Ponzo Caves: history, legend and nature

San Ponzo, a hamlet in the municipality of Ponte Nizza, is a characteristic medieval village built almost entirely of local stone, set on the left bank of the Staffora stream. At the center of its small square stands the parish church, reworked several times over the centuries and declared a national monument: inside, it preserves traces of 16th- and 18th-century frescoes and an important stone baptismal font dated 1161.

About three kilometers from the village, toward Monte Vallassa, lie the caves that give the place its name: cavities carved over millennia by water into the sandstone rock, where in the 3rd century AD Saint Ponzo lived as a hermit. Inside one of the caves, from which a spring flows, a small chapel has been carved out, while tradition holds that the saint's remains are now kept in the village church. The site is considered one of the most important fossil-bearing testimonies of the Oltrepò Pavese, a detail that makes the route interesting from a scientific and educational standpoint as well.

Toward Guardamonte: centuries-old chestnut groves and views over the Staffora Valley

Beyond the caves, the trail continues through oak and hornbeam woods toward Monte Vallassa, which at about 756 meters marks the highest point of the excursion, on the border between the Val Curone and the Staffora Valley. Here the path reaches a natural terrace offering a view that sweeps across the valley and the upper Pavia Apennines — one of the most striking photo spots on the entire route.

On the southern side of the mountain lie the Balze di Guardamonte, layered rock formations also known as a climbing venue used year-round, while nearby stands the Guardamonte archaeological area, where the remains of an ancient Ligurian hillfort (castelliere) have been found — evidence of the ancient agricultural and trading roots of this land. The combination of caves, chestnut groves, wildlife and archaeological sites makes this one of the most biodiverse areas of the Oltrepò Pavese, an ideal subject to capture through a camera lens as well.

Route details

Level: E – Hiking, suitable for families and beginners

Length: Approximately 7 km, loop route

Elevation gain: About 300 meters (a single steep stretch of roughly 20 m halfway through)

Terrain: Woodland trails for 95% of the route, mostly shaded

Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026

Time: 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM

Meeting point: Piazza della Chiesa di San Ponzo (coordinates 44.837328, 9.099473)

Organizer: Volo di Rondine – Natura in Oltrepò Pavese

Participation fees and registration

How much does it cost to join the trek to the San Ponzo Caves? Fees vary by age and membership status: €15 for adults, including Volo di Rondine membership card; €12 for existing members; €10 for children under 12.

Adults: €15 (Volo di Rondine membership card included)

Existing members: €12

Children under 12: €10

Booking is required and spaces are limited. To register, email info@volodirondine.com, call Marco at +39 331 769 7861, or fill out the online registration form.

What to bring and useful information

What do you need for the trek? Plenty of water, hiking boots (essential both for the trails and for crossing the bridge), and plenty of curiosity. Trekking poles are optional but recommended for the uphill stretch.

Dogs are welcome and may join the excursion alongside their owners. Minors must be accompanied by an adult and remain the full responsibility of their parents throughout the activity, including the crossing of the Tibetan bridge.

How to get there

The meeting point is set in the meadow/car park of the San Ponzo di Semola square, a hamlet in the municipality of Ponte Nizza, in the Staffora Valley, in the heart of the Oltrepò Pavese. A meeting-point map is available to help reach the location.

An afternoon designed for lovers of nature photography, local history and the biodiversity of the Oltrepò Pavese: between the San Ponzo Caves, centuries-old chestnut groves and the thrill of the new Guardamonte Tibetan bridge, this excursion packs the hidden charm of the Province of Pavia into just a few hours. Spaces are limited: early booking is recommended.

Un pomeriggio pensato per chi ama la fotografia naturalistica, la storia del territorio e la biodiversità dell'Oltrepò Pavese: tra le Grotte di San Ponzo, i castagneti secolari e il brivido del nuovo ponte tibetano di Guardamonte, questa escursione racchiude in poche ore tutto il fascino nascosto della provincia di Pavia. I posti sono limitati: la prenotazione anticipata è consigliata.

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