The source, on the border between Piedmont and Liguria, is Lago Bruno which, at an elevation of above sea level, is the lowest of the three linked Laghi del Gorzente. Its upper course takes the Gorzente in a north-westerly direction through the wild and uninhabited landscape between Monte delle Figne, elevation , and Monte Tobbio, which for the most part falls within the Parco Regionale delle Capanne di Marcarolo, until it is dammed to form the two lakes known as the Laghi di Lavagnina. From here its course turns to the west and the river flows into the Piota at Case Possidenti, a locality of Tagliolo Monferrato.