Sunday, 19th December:
Given the exceptionally favourable weather, shall we have a twin Xmas crib hike over the weekend? Since Saturday’s exploration of the Viganego nativity scene will be challenging, the idea for Sunday is to have a light hike from Corniglia to Manarola.
The plan, of course, is to stick with the tradition of having our pre-Xmas hike in the Cinque Terre, so as to finish another year in front of the lit Xmas crib of Manarola. Hike is rated “E” and is well described on https://do-in-italy.com/it/il-sentiero-manarola-volastra-corniglia-tra-vigneti-e-terrazzamenti-sul-mare-delle-cinque-terre-2/ (we’ll walk in the opposite direction), it should take 2,5 hours. For those who haven’t yet heard about the lit Xmas crib, Manarola is famous for 15.000 light bulbs, that every December are placed on a hill. They are part of a gigantic Nativity scene, that is laid every year on the hill of the Three Crosses, thanks to the outstanding efforts of now 94-year old Mario Andreoli.
How to get to Corniglia and how to come back alive:
On Sunday, December 19, let’s meet at the entrance of Corniglia station at 12:01.
Suggested trains are
— for those travelling eastwards
REG 3265
Genova Brignole 10:45 – Corniglia 11:58
— for those travelling westwards
REG 3266
La Spezia 11:50 – Corniglia 12:01
— for those travelling southwards
REG 3015 +
REG 12223 or 3265 – Milano Lambrate 07:32 – Corniglia 11:27/11:58 (*)
Return will be from Manarola, around 5pm.
(*) if you’re coming from afar, you may consider getting the 3 day regional pass for 29 euro. However, I’m not sure it’s valid also for Cinque Terre, so to be on the safe side you might want to buy an extra ticket for the bits between Levanto and Corniglia/Manarola.
As usual, if you have doubts, questions, Hamlet-like dilemmas… feel free to text me! (+39 329 7203364)
Liguriah 