When Life Gives you Mountains, Put on Your Boots and Hike…

Train/bus challenge in the rear view we are off again. This time to the Ligurian Coast. Cinque Terre is perhaps one of the most picturesque and colloquial areas of Italy. The train to Viareggio, then on to Monterossa, the last of the Cinque Terre.

We stroll the boardwalk area admiring the colorful beach umbrellas and boat covers striped in white and blue. Cafes and gelaterias are waking up with the arrival of the latest train.

We head out to the roadway that leads up to the trailhead. The hike from Monterossa to Vernazza is steep climb up rocky steps and craggy ledges. Just when you think it will level out, you turn and find another vertical climb awaits.

The trail winds up through terraced groves and gardens. It is ruggard and harsh yet beautiful. Hikers of all ages, seasoned or novice, from France or Germany, or the Netherlands, and many other locales, trek along as the path narrows and climbs, twists and turns.

The day promises to be dry and only partly cloudy. We are heating up as we climb so when it begins to sprinkle, we are not dissuaded. We press on grateful for some coolness. As we climb, we alternate passing and being passed by a cluster of hikers all taking their pace. As we wonder if this was such a good idea, the rise levels off a little and we can regain our breath.

The trail undulates across the face of the mountain, with an occasional precipitice turn upward. Once again the rain showers down, this time a little more intensely and for a longer period of time.

The rocky trail becomes slick and begins to plunge downward to reach the town of Vernazza. Spurred on by the desire to get lunch in the piazza far below and realizing the only way out is down, we pick our way along the steep rocky path, cautiously holding the inner rock ledge or the occasional rickety rail the has been installed.

Eventually we climb down to the center of Vernazza, the jewel of the Cinque( personal opinion, but dare you to argue otherwise). While the weather app still claims no rain in sight the skies open and a drenching rain begins. Definitely time for a late lunch! Good food, good wine, good friends and the satisfying sense of accomplishment ( coupled with the relief that we do not need to backpack up and over to get home) and we leave the outdoor table to scurry inside and watch the clouds rain themselves out.

The sun returned with just enough time for us to poke through some little Vernazza shops on our way up the hill to the train. Another beautiful day in Italy.