Monte Armetta


Monte Armetta is a mountain in Piedmont, northern Italy, part of the Alps. At an altitude of 1,739 metres is the highest summit of the Ligurian Prealps.

Etymology

According to the historian Emanuele Celesia the name Armetta comes from Hermes, but other scholars think that it's a diminutive of arma, a local term used in Liguria for cave.

Geography

The mountain stands on the main chain of the Alps between Tanaro and Arroscia valleys. It belongs to the province of Cuneo, in Piedmont, and is located on the border between the municipalities of Ormea and Caprauna, not faraway from Liguria.

SOIUSA classification

According to the SOIUSA the mountain can be classified in the following way:
The northern side of the mountain fells with overhanging cliffs towards Ormea, while its gentle southern slopes are covered of woods and pastures. On Monte Armetta, in spite of its not so high elevation, grow several typical mountain flowers as Leontopodium alpinum.

Access to the summit

The mountain is accessible by off-road mountain paths and is crossed by the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri, a long-distance trail from Ventimiglia to Bolano.
It's also possible to reach monte Armetta from Madonna del Lago sanctuary through a footpath with signposts, which also crosses Monte Dubasso.