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We started our hike in Monterosso

 

Waves breaking on the rocks in Monterosso

 

Looking back on Monterosso

 

Every few minutes we were treated to a new view.

The hike to Corniglia was also pretty challenging and filled with great views.  Corniglia sits on top of a promontory about 100 meters above the sea and is surrounded on the other three sides by vineyards and terraces.  Just as we arrived, there was a short cloudburst.  After the rain stopped, we looked around for Deana.  We found her a few minutes later.  Due to the train schedules, we got to Corniglia before her.  She didn’t realize there was a bus from the lower train station to the town at the top, so she ended up walking.  There are 382 stairs from the train station to the upper town.  Maybe she should have read the guidebook!

Approaching Vernazza was breathtaking and picturesque.  In Vernazza, we stopped for a break at a small restaurant with outdoor seating and had pizza while the waves were breaking over the rock wall.  Pesto pizza is a local specialty.  Some of the waves were so intense that water came rushing towards the tables and almost got our feet wet.   It’s easy to see where the term sea swept comes from!  After relaxing a while, we continued our hike toward Corniglia (all except Deana who took the train).

Our plan was to hike through all “Cinque” (5) of the “Terre” (lands).  The trails connecting the Cinque Terre were originally mule paths that provided the only access to the towns (besides from the sea).  The mule paths were recently designated as a national park and are protected.  We got off at the northernmost town, Monterosso al Mare, to begin our hike to Vernazza.  Monterosso has (by far) the best sand beaches of the Cinque Terre.  The hike is one of the most challenging and longest hikes between the towns.

The day was overcast, but bright and pleasant.  However, the Mediterranean was incredibly rough today, and there were no boats running.  We were so fortunate that Karin took us boating the day before.  Looking back, looking out, and looking forward, the views of the towns and the coast are outstanding.

 

Cathy leads as Dave and Steve follow.  "Walk like an Etruscan..."
(So what if we're not in Tuscany anymore, it's a catchy tune...)

 

Blue green waters along the coast.

 
 
A small alter along the trail.

 



Scenes from Vernazza.

 

Street scene in Riomaggiore.

 

Our second sunset in Levanto.

 

Stairs to "nowhere" in Riomaggiore.

 

"Lover's Lane" connects Manarola to Riomaggiore.

 

Approaching Manarola from Corniglia (an easier hike)

 

Blue green waters along the coast.

 

Manarola

 

Looking back a Vernazza (and Monterosso)

 
 
Corniglia sits high above the rocky Mediterranean coast.

 

Leaving Vernazza on the trail.

 

A photo opportunity for Jim, Cathy, Cindy and Dave.

 

Getting closer to Vernazza

 

Boats safely behind the break in Vernazza.

 

Approaching Vernazza from the trail

 

The weather looked ominous but was actually great for hiking.

 

Beautiful views along the Cinque Terre trail.

 

Monterosso from the Cinque Terre trail.

 

As we climbed higher, we enjoyed looking back at where we had been.

On the way to dinner in Levanto, we stopped for a few minutes to watch the surfers catch some waves – some pretty big waves.  At Osteria Tumelin, we had a good dinner with a large salad, pasta with potatoes and pesto (a local specialty), wine, and dessert.  It was a very satisfying end to another great day.   We didn’t give Steve the birthday card at dinner, because we were going to celebrate his birthday with the whole tour tomorrow.

From Manarola, we hiked the “Via dell’ Amore” (Lover’s Lane) trail to Riomaggiore.  The trail is mostly paved and got it name because young lovers would rendezvous via the trail between the towns.  We had about an hour before the train back to Levanto, so we explored the town and did a little shopping.  We took the train back to Levanto to get ready for a small group dinner to celebrate Steve’s birthday.

We all had a gelato in Corniglia and then headed off on an easier hike to Manarola.  Later, along the trail, Cathy saw the same group of Americans that we met at dinner in Lucca.  Small world (again).  Manarola is the oldest of the Cinque Terre.