Olive oil and mills in Dolcedo
The Taggiasca olive dominates this valley, and the story of oil here starts early: in 1103 the church of San Tommaso was entrusted to the Benedictines of Lérins, who spread olive growing. The marble measures under the loggia recall how much the product mattered to the local economy.
There is no official list of mills open to visitors, with opening hours. Many old mills are private property and can be seen from public spaces: the remains of wheels and channels are best seen near the Ripalta bridge. Some producers sell oil directly and sometimes offer visits or tastings, usually by booking: contact the producer first. For a proper olive oil museum the safest choice is the Museo dell’Olivo in Imperia. The full story, with the supply chain and the mill walk, is in our guide to olive oil and mills.
What to eat in Dolcedo
Local food is Ligurian inland cooking: vegetable and herb pies, focaccia with extra virgin oil, stuffed vegetables, fresh pasta and ravioli, Ligurian rabbit, stockfish and recipes with borage. No dish is strictly «from Dolcedo»: what counts is the oil, and you taste it on everything.
Two restaurants in the Michelin Guide share a feature: they are in old mills. Equilibrio, in the Martin district, occupies a restored old mill on the Prino; the chef is Jacopo Chieppa, formerly at Mirazur in Menton. Casa della Rocca, on via Ripalta, is in an early 20th-century mill that still has its press and millstone, serving Ligurian land and sea cooking. Book directly with the restaurant, as opening days change through the year. In the old centre a market of organic food, antiques and crafts is usually held on the second Sunday of the month: check the date.
Walks and hikes
Dolcedo is on the Via Marenca and has restored, waymarked mule tracks for walking and mountain biking between terraces and olive trees. A few ideas, to check against an up-to-date map:
- Sentiero dei Ponti: starts near Santa Brigida and touches the valley’s bridges. Part is on tarmac; the information dates from 2016, so ask the Comune which sections are open.
- Santa Brigida – Passo di Vena loop: a dirt road up to the Passo di Vena (969 m), then back by mule track through the olive trees.
- Monte Faudo (1,149 m): from Ripalta via Lecchiore and the Passo di Vena. Half a day or more, with a lot of climbing. At the summit there are a cross, a chapel and radio masts.
- Dolcedo – Lecchiore pools: a loop of about 5 km with 260 metres of climbing, a couple of hours for most people.
In summer check local orders: in July 2026 the Comune declared a state of serious wildfire danger, with possible bans on entering woods. Carry water, wear walking shoes and do not underestimate the heat on exposed mule tracks.
Events in Dolcedo
- First Sunday of September: paper hot-air balloon launch at Bellissimi, for the feast of the Madonna della Misericordia (check the year’s programme).
- 21 December: feast of the patron saint, St Thomas the Apostle.
- Early November: Olioliva, the new-oil festival, is held in Imperia, not in Dolcedo. A good chance to taste local oils.
Day trips from Dolcedo
Dolcedo is a good base for the hinterland and the Imperia coast. Distances are as the crow flies; driving times depend on the roads, so check a map.
- Imperia: the closest, a few kilometres away. Porto Maurizio, Oneglia, the Museo dell’Olivo and the railway station.
- San Lorenzo al Mare: about 8 km, the nearest sea for a swim.
- Cervo: a seaside village with the Corallini church, about 10 km.
- Diano Marina: a long beach and promenade, about 10 km.
- Arma di Taggia and Sanremo: towards the west, about 15 and 20 km away.
- Triora: the village of the witches, about 30 km as the crow flies but a long road.
