We weren't sure what to expect today because again we were following our walking path app. It led us on the road out of Radda then had us turn into a road that was marked as a dead end. We came up against a big iron gate but a discreet wooden sign indicated a way around. We needed walking poles out because it was steep and overgrown in places but it gave us great views and was a shortcut.
Rejoining the road for an uphill climb, it was quiet apart from cyclists. There are many cyclists touring the roads, some with tour groups, some on their own, most with push bikes rather than electric bikes.
We walked around the medieval stone village of Volpaia and enjoyed a coffee outdoors.
Next we went up on a provincial road that turned out to be a gravel track through forest. There were a few cars on this road and again, some cyclists. At one stage we met a herd of goats accompanied by a puppy. We managed to get past without incident.
There were scenic views on the descent into Panzano, our lunch stop. We passed a colourful butcher's shop before having lunch in the village square, along with a lot of other tourists.
After lunch we walked along the ridge into the old town and then headed downhill, first on the road, then on a Tuscan 'strada bianca' (white road), then back on the road for the last couple of kilometres.
Greve in Chianti is known for its triangular 'square' and we took some time to walk all around the arcades and admire the statues and other features.
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| Waving farewell to Radda as we set off for the day's walk |
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| A locked gate, and a wooden sign pointing into the bushes |
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| A bit overgrown, but a pretty good path all in all . . . |
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| . . . and it gave us wonderful views back up to Radda in Chianti on its hilltop |
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| There was another gate to negotiate before our shortcut was through |
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| Under the Tuscan sun |
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| Walking in the Chianti region - hilltop town, vineyards, Italian cypress trees |
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| The road to Volpaia |
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| We enjoyed a wander around Volpaia |
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| The narrow streets meant evasive action to dodge the hordes of cyclists |
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| We encountered plenty of cyclists throughout our day's walk |
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| Coffee stop in Volpaia |
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| Photographing Volpaia as we climbed onwards from the village |
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| Goats |
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| An impressive backdrop |
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| Yet more impressive scenery |
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| A pleasure walking on the white roads of Tuscany |
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| More wonderful scenery |
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| What a fantastic place to walk (even if we did have to dodge the cyclists from time to time) |
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| Entering Panzano |
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| Attractive square in Panzano, where we had our lunch stop today |
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| Lunch |
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| Up into the historic centre of Panzano |
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| Downhill towards Greve in Chianti |
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| The triangular Piazza Matteotti on Greve in Chianti |
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| Piazza Matteotti |
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| Arcade-walking around the Piazza Matteotti |
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| Bits and pieces |
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| Flowers |
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| Birds |
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| Day 30 - Map |
Day: 30
Distance: 22.38 km
Walking time: 4 hrs 47 mins
Elevation gain: 501 metres
Cumulative distance: 564.35 km
Today’s birds: not sure, Western House Martin, Common Swift
ReplyDeleteThank you Murray!
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