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San Ponzo Cave – Viewpoint over the Staffora Valley loop from San Ponzo Semola

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Hiking trails & Routes

San Ponzo Cave – Viewpoint over the Staffora Valley loop from San Ponzo Semola

Moderate

4.6

(27)

hikers

San Ponzo Cave – Viewpoint over the Staffora Valley loop from San Ponzo Semola

03:24

10.7km

440m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: June 18, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

45 m

San Ponzo Semola: Village, Church, and Caves (Oltrepò Pavese)

Highlight • Settlement

San Ponzo Semola (hamlet of Ponte Nizza) is a village in the Oltrepò Pavese located on the left bank of the Staffora stream along the Voghera – Varzi “greenway” cycle/pedestrian path. The medieval portion of the town with its characteristic stone houses is located south of the town center at the foot of the small wooded valley of the Semola stream. San Ponzo was one of the railway stations on the Voghera-Varzi line, active between 1931 and 1966.
In this timeless village stands the ancient church of San Ponzo, modified in 1400 without its medieval architectural features having been completely lost. Inside there are traces of frescoes and a stone baptismal font from 1161.
Of note, the area of the Caves of San Ponzo and the Giaciglio del Santo can be reached with a short excursion on foot along the path that goes up to Guardamonte. Legend has it that in these caves in the third century AD. lived the holy hermit and martyr.
Near the caves, the centuries-old "Grande Vecchio" tree of San Ponzo can be admired, although little reported.

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Tip by

2.50 km

San Ponzo Cave

Highlight • Cave

Excavated over millions of years by water infiltrations, the San Ponzo Caves became famous for the discovery of the Saint, the famous miracle worker. The first of the two caves, from which a spring flows, has been transformed into an oratory.

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2.59 km

The Great Old Tree – Ancient Tree of San Ponzo

Highlight • Natural Monument

The "Grande Vecchio" is a centuries-old tree near the caves of San Ponzo Semola. It is located half-hidden among the other plants on the plateau which houses the caves and the small Sanctuary. A rather battered plaque (and without the installation date) indicates an age of 370 years and an almost illegible caption. Further details are welcome

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3.68 km

Orchid Meadow on the Way to Guardamonte

Highlight • Natural

Going up towards Monte Vallassa in the direction of Guardamonte you come across this meadow of beautiful orchids. A must stop to admire them.

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Tip by

4.31 km

View of the Curone Valley from Monte Vallassa

Highlight • Viewpoint

Stunning view of the Curone Valley and the peaks of Monti Giarone, Ebro and Chiappo. Important area from a geological point of view due to the presence of numerous fossils and a huge Pecten.

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Tip by

4.52 km

Castelliere di San Ponzo Archaeological Site

Highlight • Historical Site

Archaeological area that no one knows where there are ancient settlements dating back to Roman and pre-Roman times. From here you get to Monte Vallassa

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Tip by

5.45 km

Viewpoint over the Staffora Valley

Highlight • Viewpoint

10.7 km

Romanesque Parish Church of Saint Ponzo

Highlight • Religious Site

Although renovated in the 15th century, the building still retains architectural elements that reveal its medieval origins. The façade features a portal preceded by a Renaissance portico. Inside are the remains of the martyred saint, patron saint of the picturesque village, once an independent municipality, now a hamlet of Ponte Nizza.

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Tip by

10.7 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

5.84 km

3.68 km

621 m

591 m

Surfaces

5.96 km

3.56 km

1.18 km

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Saturday 4 July

33°C

20°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 14.0 km/h

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Comments

January 11, 2025,san Ponzo Semola-grotte di san Ponzo -Guardamonte-monte Vallassa-Coriola giro ad anello val Staffora

Nice walk in the woods with a breathtaking view. Challenging start for the difference in altitude up to the caves of San Ponzo, then 6km up to the top of Mount Vallassa with a view of the Staffora and Curone valleys. Trail 07 and trail 03.

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San Ponzo Cave – Viewpoint over the Staffora Valley loop from San Ponzo Semola

San Ponzo Semola: Village, Church, and Caves (Oltrepò Pavese)

San Ponzo Cave

The Great Old Tree – Ancient Tree of San Ponzo

Orchid Meadow on the Way to Guardamonte

View of the Curone Valley from Monte Vallassa

Castelliere di San Ponzo Archaeological Site

Viewpoint over the Staffora Valley

Romanesque Parish Church of Saint Ponzo

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