A new chance to hike Europe's ancient salt route

A new chance to hike Europe's ancient salt route Metropole NCA The Pagarine Route is a new 159km hiking path between Nice and Cuneo An ancient salt trading route, the Pagarine Route is a new 159km walking path from the French Riviera up into the Italian hills that's now welcoming hikers. The city was an important hub for the salt trade in the Middle Ages and the salt was brought ashore on Plage des Ponchettes in small wooden row boats before being taxed in nearby Cours Saleya, Nice’s centuries-old marketplace, and taken by mule on a gruelling journey to Italy where it was traded for use in the mountains and further north. Today, Plage des Ponchettes is the starting point for the Pagarine Route, a new 159km hiking path between Nice and the Italian city of Cuneo that traces the steps of these medieval salt traders. I'd chosen to hike part of the new Pagarine Route since, in my view, it offers the richest story, taking you from an ancient square in the middle of the city where the salt started its on-land journey, up through lush landscapes and harsh mountain passes and over the border into Italy where it was traded It is no wonder that there were so many routes, as salt was incredibly important in the Middle Ages.