Outstanding way to Monterigionne

Today was outstanding; just perfect walking.

The first 5km was in a gorge beside a fast-flowing river, milky with calcium from the white rocks. There were stepping-stone bridges, rapids, pools, and waterfalls. Shady paths with butterflies and birds. And, in what was a complete first for us, we saw wild boar.

In another first for this walk, we emerged from the gorge to find a bar where we could stop for coffee

Then the path took us through golden barley fields. Another 5km brought us to another bar. (For clarity we’ve been bemused at the lack of places to stop on the trail until today.)

We wended on through dappled forest where Jennifer saw a deer and I almost stepped on a snake. Jennifer also saw a polecat – but that sighting has a lower certainty rating.

Finally we came in sight of Monterigionne, crowning its hill-top. We had a refreshing stop at a monastery that was only a thousand years old, before the last push up to the town itself.

Monterigionne is one of the best preserved walled towns in Italy. The space within the walls is very small as it was built as a fortress not a town. That may be why it survived intact – there was little incentive to rebuild over time.

We finished off the day with another lovely meal with Jay and Connie. The meal featured wines and olives from the restaurant owner’s family vineyards which made the whole experience something special.