Today’s walk was 10 miles and 2,800′ of non-Camino walking.

We left our home base in Riomaggiore before 9 am, headed by train to the northern-most of the 5 villages,  Monterosso.

After locating the trailhead, we were off! And up and down and up … always with great views!

Soon, village #2 was in sight, Vernazza!

A diet coke, a cornetto, and a rest stop, and we were in our way to Corniglia, village #3.

At this point, our “dogs” were aching, so we quickly got back on the trail to village #4, Manorola.

We were there yesterday, so we knew we were close to home!

Now, there are two roads from Manorola to Riomaggiore, the high road and the low road. We took the high road yesterday and it was the most difficult section of trail we have seen here! Our “dogs” said,  No!

The low road is the very recently reopened Via Dell’amore path, cut through the sheer cliffs by the sea. Very beautiful, very level and very short. Yep, that sounds just right!

The only challenge was, you need a special permit to travel on it. We had one! Unfortunately, the group of 30 or so in front of us did not have one! And they were vigorously arguing with the trail attendant (in Italian). Finally,  Diane raised her cell phone showing that permit towards the guard who saw the permit and said,  “Si! Si!” She called us forward, showed our phone to the arguing Italians and let us through. Yeah! Now we were less than one level mile from home!

Soon, we were back in Riomaggiore! We’re very content, but ready for the shower and dinner that wil revive us!

Ciao!