Hiking in the Apennines [Part 2]
We made it to Bivacco Santa Maria Maddalena for the first part of our hike in the Tosco-Emiliano Apennines, but now our real climb began. The hike up the to top of Monte Ventasso is really steep and is marked as “expert level” on the website. However, we knew we could do it with some steady patience.
Half-way up the climb there is a really lovely look-out point in the form of a rock jutting out over the hills. You can stand on it and see the beautiful valleys and rivers below. It really lets you feel the vastness of the land. (if you’re not afraid of heights)
It was at this point we stopped to admire how far we had come, and how small the Bivacco looked. The views were great and we were only half-way up! This boded well.
Finally we reached the top! ...kind of....we reached a top. We did summit the mountain and paused to enjoy our progress. We were definitely on the top.
But our destination was just a bit further on, along the ridge and to the top-top marked by a cross.
Alex jogged ahead to get this video of us climbing the last stretch. A decision she regretted.
At the top of Monte Ventasso there is a huge iron cross and a guest-sign-in book! We signed Happy Birthday to Alex and then stood back to enjoy the view.
Only for a few minutes though because then the clouds started to roll in. It looked almost like smoke coming off the mountain! they were moving pretty quickly!
We knew the weather forecast said rain in the afternoon so we decided it was time to head down to the lake.
This half of the loop trail is pretty much straight down the hill to the lake. you can even see it from the top- which is a beautiful view.
The light on these soft hills were giving us serious Sound Of Music vibes and were were really pleased to be surrounded by such beauty on our way down, even if our knees didn’t thank us.
The last third of the trail is back through the forest. But this forest was really muddy and we were going downhill. It was still silent and beautiful but we had to really take our time and watch our step navigating tree roots, rocks and just slick mud.
I fell once, but was mostly unharmed. This hike is definitely for the able-bodied and sure-footed among us.
After 3hrs of hiking, we made it back to the lake!
On the lake side there is a small restaurant-shack situation with picnic tables. The clouds were really starting to come in and the temperature started dropping. We had a quick warm tea, checked out their free- library and then decided to head back for lunch.
Overall our hike up into the Apennines was everything we wanted it to be! Nature, friends, beautiful views, expansive spaces....everything that makes the perfect birthday trip!
