Page 33 - Explore Magazine Spring 2016

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DAY TWO
AM: We decided to take the short train journey to
Riomaggiore, the southernmost village of the Cinque Terre.
The town is said to date back to the 8th century when a
group of Greek fugitives found shelter there. The houses
are all painted in traditional pastel colours and in a tower
style that reaches five or six stories high. There are many
beautiful old churches and the ruins of the 13th-century
Riomaggiore Castle.
From this village begins the famous La via dell’Amore
(The Way of Love), a one-kilometre pedestrian street
overlooking the sea that links the villages of Riomaggiore
and Manarola. Unfortunately, severe flooding in 2012
caused rock slides and destroyed parts of the trail and it
has been closed since then.
Our only alternative for walking to Manarola was to take
the ancient goat trail, but it’s not for the faint of heart! The
villages of Riomaggiore and Manarola are very close to
one another but are separated by a steep mountain. The
Beccara trail goes up over the top of that mountain and
down the other side, all steps up one side and all steps
down on the other. The trail climbs through the vineyards
and farmlands and offers panoramic views.
After a slow but enjoyable hike we arrived in Manarola
in the late afternoon to complete our walk of the Cinque
Terre. Manarola was founded by the Romans and is also
characterised by a tower house built to defend the village.
It’s the quietest of the villages, but is no less beautiful and
worthy of a visit. After exploring the village, then enjoying
a celebratory coffee and a delicious Italian meal, we
reluctantly headed back to the train for the quick ride back
to Monterosso for our last night. Of course you can also
reach all of the villages by ferry and rail, but if you enjoy
walking you will experience one of the most scenic hikes in
Italy, if not the world.

HELLOWORLD : EXPLORE : SPRING EDITION