Rustico in Pigna

Castel Vittorio is in the Ligurian hinterland of the Province of Imperia, in the Maritime Alps (Alpi Marittime/Alpi Liguri). The immediate terrain is steep wooded valleys and terraced hills with olive groves and mixed mountain agriculture. The cluster sits among the small Ligurian valleys that include the Nervia basin and a string of medieval hill villages (Apricale, Pigna, Dolceacqua) in the same area. There are no large lakes; the Ligurian Sea (Riviera di Ponente) and the coastal towns of Ventimiglia, Sanremo and Imperia lie to the south and provide rail and highway services. Parts of the nearby mountains are within the regional protections for the Ligurian/Maritime Alps. There are no downhill ski lifts within a 15 km radius; alpine ski areas in the Ligurian Alps are on higher passes further inland. The local landscape is known for olives, chestnuts and inland Ligurian mountain agriculture.