European Adventure 2013

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October 2nd 2013

Published: October 4th 2013

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Corniglia to Vernazza

View at the start of the walk to Venazza

We checked out the local market in Levanto prior to boarding a train to Corniglia, the third of the Cinque Terre towns. Our intention was to walk from Corniglia to Vernazza (1½hours), then from Vernazza to Monterosso (2½ hours), then catch a train back to Levanto from Monterosso. After alighting from the train in Corniglia, we had a 20 min walk up steep stairs just to get to the town before the walk even started! We had lunch in a pizzeria with amazing view of the sea prior to heading off. We also had chats with a few people who’d just completed the walk in the opposite direction…they were exhausted!

Most sections of the walk were steep and rough but the beautiful coastline scenery and the sights of villages appearing hugging the rocks made it worthwhile. In Vernazza, we thought about whether to continue on to the next section but after a homemade lemon squash and a piece of lemon cake in another establishment hanging off a cliff edge, we decided there was no turning back. On the track to Monterosso, which was also steep, rough and poorly-maintained, we encountered many people in various stages of exhaustion. Further on, an

Corniglia to Vernazza

A sweaty "selfie" en route

Italian farmer who spoke multiple languages had set up a little stall on the side of the walk selling home-made limoncello & lemon drink...very welcome! We soldiered on, arriving in Monterosso at sunset, very tired and with sore feet. All the tramps we did up hills in France and in Ventimiglia must have improved our fitness as we were not stiff the next day. After a shower, we had a lovely dinner in Levanto before collapsing into bed.

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