29th July, La Spezia – After a sizzling and turbulent month of July, it seems like we’ll have a pleasant weekend ahead, with sunny and mild weather and a calm sea… the ideal conditions for Saturday’s hike? As you may have guessed, this weekend’s goal is La Spezia, as the “natural swimming pool” event unfolds in Portovenere.
For the uninitiated, the Portovenere strait will be off limits to boats. From 3pm till 6pm, boats won’t be allowed to cross it, thus making it feasible to swim from Portovenere to Palmaria (that’s about 300mt).
Plan then is to have a hike along our favourite trail in Liguria, the so called Infinite Trail, across olive trees, a windmill and majestic views over the coast. The “infinite” trail probably owes its name to the fact that the alignment of Mt Muzzerone, Portovenere and the islands of Palmaria and Tino make the trail appear much longer (almost infinite) than it actually is.
Since we haven’t been there for some time, let’s head to Campiglia and walk along the classic route to Portovenere, which takes around 2 hours. In order to put less strain on our knees, we’ll probably head down via the easier Muzzerone hut trail (no detour to Fort Muzzerone this time). As for getting to Campiglia, we can either walk from La Spezia or take a bus ride to Marola and then reach Campiglia via trail 528 (90 minutes).
Hike is rated as “E” (intermediate), with an elevation gain of 600 metres.
You may read more about the Infinite trail on:
and about the Natural Swimming Pool on:
https://lamialiguria.it/eventi/la-piscina-naturale/
How to get to La Spezia, and how to come back alive:
On Saturday, July 29th, let’s meet at 10:10am outside La Spezia Centrale railway station, near the red human pyramid monument
Suggested trains are:
» if you are travelling eastwards:
IC 505 – 08:53 Genova Piazza Principe (9:01 Genova Brignole) 10:09 La Spezia (might get booked out, so don’t wait for Saturday to buy it!)
» if you are travelling southwards:
REG 3015 Milano Lambrate 6:32 (Rogoredo 6:38) Genova P.Principe 8:16
(*) +
IC 505 Genova P.Principe 8:51 – La Spezia 10:09
(if you have blind faith in Trenitalia and you want to make the most of your 3-day ticket, there’s a way, via Parma, which is covered entirely by regional trains)
Return will be from Portovenere/La Spezia, possibly around 6pm/7pm.
(*) if you’re coming from afar, you may consider getting the 3 day regional pass for 29 euro.
As usual, if you have doubts, questions, Hamlet-like dilemmas… feel free to message me ( vidlothianATgmailDOTcom ) or call me (+393297203364)
Liguriah 