During the Middle Ages the Oltrepò mountains, and especially the Staffora valley, were a natural route between the sea in Liguria and the Po valley controlled by leading feudal families who avoided the power of the municipalities on the plain, Pavia and Piacenza. The most important was the Malaspina family. They had their capital in Varzi and from there they controlled the salt trade. The route was used by caravans of mules loaded with the precious product and as such, really were, 'salt roads'. Today, these trails are still easily identifiable and are an interesting option for an excursion on foot, by mountain bike or even on horseback, starting at either Varzi or Godiasco.