This place is gorgeous in a picture perfect Mediterranean coastal way. We hiked an amazing (and very difficult trail) that took us up and down, steps and boulders and narrow paths and steep terrain. It was beautiful and the views quite amazing.
We bought a 3 day train & trail pass and headed out. vanSon’s took off earlier.
Rides here
Left Levanto and six minutes later we were in Monterosso. We searched for the trail to Vernazza and that Google B always gives us extra steps and multiple turn arounds.
Lovely seaside town
And a local 🐈⬛
No biggie we found the closed trail and moved to the steep trail to start our adventure.
By the word “terrace” we defined the artificial arrangement of hills and mountains whose aim is to create horizontal or slightly inclined surfaces on high steep slopes. The Cinque Terre agricultural terracing bounded by dry stone walls is thegeomorphological element and land use typical of the whole territory.
The work of transformation of the territory began from the XI century; in fact, around 900-1000 AD the populations of the lower Val di Vara overcame the watershed ridge and established settlements along the marine slopes close to the coast (Unesco Site Management Plan, 2017).
Currently, terraces, still in use and abandoned, cover an area between 1,400 and 1,500 ha (Raso et al., 2021).
In terms of the type of cultivation, there are some differences between the eastern and western sectors of the Park: from Tramonti (La Spezia), through Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia and up to Guvano, there is a predominance of vine cultivation, with the exception of the olive groves of Volastra and the west valley of Corniglia.
Together with the vine, in Vernazza and Monterosso, there is a considerable development of olive groves, especially in the central high strip, and of lemon groves in the area of the valley floor, mainly developed on the right bank of the stream Vernazza and along most of the secondary and main streams of the basins of Monterosso. In the basin of the stream Pignone (northern sector of the Park) there are lands almost exclusively used for arable crops or forage.
The territory of the Cinque Terre National Park is mountainous and mainly coastal: only 300 hectares belongs the mountain basin of the river Vara and do not overlook the sea. The steep and landslide slopes are crossed by short rivers, articulated in valleys and ridges. Therefore, in approximately 4000 hectares, different natural environments coexist, both Mediterranean and mountainous, inhabited by animal and plant species which play an important role in increasing the richness of biodiversity.
The inaccessible cliffs are home to diurnal and nocturnal birds of prey, sea and rock birds, including the Peregrine Falcon, the yellow-legged Gull, the blue rock thrush, the common Raven.
Small mammals live in the Mediterranean Maquis, such as the hedgehog, the badger, the least weasel, and the beech marten.
The only noteworthy predator is the Fox. It is possible to spot some reptiles, usually harmless one, including the green whip.
Even a lil cat haven
Follow the trail and after the midway point it was important to pay attention…until you view Venazza from above…STUNNING
Down to lunch….
Fun to meet Lisa & Mark from PC for an amazing scrumptious lunch
Lovely lunch and tummy’s full and knees are barking but this postcard perfect town needs a walkabout and maybe a gelato
That’s where we were
Tomorrow another nice hike and plans for a sunset cruise to the towns of Cinque Terre.
The weather is perfect!!!!
