Carrodano is a quiet hill village in the central section of the valley, off the motorway exit that bears its name. Most travellers see only the exit itself and continue toward La Spezia; the village above is worth a short detour for its parish church and for views across the surrounding chestnut-covered hills.
There is good walking from the village into the wooded country to the north, including paths down to the Vara itself. In autumn the chestnut harvest is a serious business — local restaurants put the new flour into pasta and the new nuts into roasts and stews.