Italy! April 15 Friday - Morning Hike to Monterosso

Cinque Terre, the Italian Riviera, is comprised of five fishing villages, listed in order from the south: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso, with connecting hiking trails. The recent 2011 rainstorm of twenty-two inches caused much damage with Cinque Terre, and now some hiking paths are open or closed depending on conditions.  Our plan for today was to visit and hike between as many of these villages as possible, with the connecting trains as a backup.

We started out early with the 90 minute (posted) hike from Vernazza to Monterosso. It was quite challenging with steep stone steps at times.  We passed very few hikers.  I needed Steve's hand during some of the climbs and ascents to keep up the pace that we started with. At one point Steve asked me, "Have you ever used a walking stick?" The hike included landscape of stone walls and vineyards, with glimpses of the Ligurian Sea. The stone walls used no mortar, which made it even more rustic and impressive.

We made it to Monterosso, which has two stretches of beautiful beaches.  The most touristy of the five villages, it is the only town where driving is allowed within. Bellissimo!