Skip to main content

Pasquetta at the Grignetta


The peak of the Grignetta. Piece of cake for nimble-footed climbers (italian site).

Post-easter weekend update: since Monday (la pasquetta) is also a holiday in Italy, we embarked on an ambitious attempt to whip our lethargic winter muscles back into shape. The photo is a section of the Grignetta (2177 meters), the lower part of Grigna mountain in Lecco province. According to trail guides the hike to the foot of Grignetta (1384 meters) takes only 90 minutes, but I just don't see how that's possible unless you're speed-flying through the trees like Edward and Bella.

I'm still beat, mentally and physically. Must...get..must get to..the...top. It feels as if a stampede just ran over me. From a departure point of 750 meters, we walked up 625+ meters (2000+ feet) on a winding 19% grade in 2½ hours. The return was quicker but much of the trail is full of loose rock. Fell on my okole only once. Swore several times. This hike was alright for a get-in-shape outing but the trails facing the lake are much more spectacular.

Comments

Ciao Chow Linda said…
Wish I could have been there. It looks beautiful.
K and S said…
looks like an awesome work-out! buon pasquetta!
Anonymous said…
OhMyGawd, that's a hike and a half. I'm sore looking at that.
Lori said…
That's a great picture! And what a hike, you should be very proud of yourself! :)
beautiful! Wow what a hike, good job!
Anonymous said…
Shouldn't that be your "okole okole"?
Rowena said…
Casalba - now that's the laugh that I needed! :-D
Deb said…
If I am ever lucky enough to visit I'd love to view this magnificent sight but do not need to hike it - heehee. Bet it felt GREAT to be working those muscles after winter - even the okole one;)
Rowena said…
Deb - me and the MotH are just plain crazy...doing that hike after having not done any for months! The good part is that I ached for only the day after. The bad part is that I want to do another, feel the pain in da okole again, feel Da Burn! Still, even while I'm hiking I still wish I could fly/run through trees like that Twilight dude!
Our Juicy Life said…
So beautiful...glad spring has finally arrived. Next time the hike will seem much easier. We just road in Belgium and some of the "slopes" were 19% grade (on a bike).
foodhoe said…
must have had a gorgeous view from the top! I'm finding that it's harder on my knees on the way down these days... Looks like a worthy challenge
Sapuche said…
What a great way to spend your post-Easter weekend. A 19% grade is crazy steep...no wonder you feel like you've been stampeded! Did you bring your doggies? Or did they prefer to hang out at the base, bathing in the new spring sun?
Rowena said…
Notre Vie Juteuse - 19% grade on a bike! I give you guys lots of credit for being able to ride those conditions (makes that filling french meal so much more justifiable at the end).

Foodhoe - I don't think I'd survive without hiking poles; they are essential! My knees do complain a tiny bit 2 days afterwards. A good thing that I have only one set of stairs in the house.

Sapuche - the doggies came along (always), and I envy them their ability for "4WD". We can't ever leave them at home - they've been initiated into, and graduated from, our alpine walks of pain!
I love it, I must get out and work out my winter muscles...if there are any left!
RONW said…
that looks like snow.
Rowena said…
RONW - amazing huh? 21°C out and that snow is determined to stay. Such is the alps.
Ann said…
wow, this place is wonderful, must have been a great workout for you!
My knees are hurting just thinking about it! You're amazing, and so is that view!
Fern Driscoll said…
You're gluttons for punishment - but what a great way to earn your ricotta gnodi. Breath-taking scenery, and good for you for doing it!
Rowena said…
Ann, Marie - it was an abrupt wakeup for the hamstrings and knees, but the view was well worth it. Both of the dogs loved being out on a hike again. :-)

Fern - 3 words: Yes We Are!
manju said…
19% grade?! You are one fearless chick. Me no do heights...
Rowena said…
Manju - I must have some billy goat in my genes. Climbing mango trees as a kid served me well!

Popular posts from this blog

Medieval castles but not a knight in sight

Counting castles...what we need now is a lively jousting event and fair maidens. Valle d'Aosta is the land of castelli (castles), and spotting them is almost like engaging in a game of punch bug. I felt that it wouldn't be right to leave out such historical detail, but the sharp contrasts...you'll see what I mean in the photos. Now I don't know if it's due to Walt setting the standard on what a castle should look like, but through the dozen or so times that I've been here, not once did I make any real effort to appreciate these medieval landmarks that have withstood the test of time - save one. That would be the Castle of Sarre (3rd image), where we had our wedding photos taken. I believe that most castles are open to the public, and further info can be found here at Valle d'Aosta Castles . The Disney ish -looking one is Castle Saint Pierre (at right). It's a small world after all. Parking sign [P] and picnic tables (not shown) in front of Cast

A Campari moment

So...the lawn is done. The shower (and a double-sized one at that) scrubbed down. The floors mopped. The "kids" bathed, dried, and nails clipped. The monstrous old fennel cut down and ready to cart away. The kumquat fertilized, dinner done (oxtail soup), and the terrace swept for the 10th time because the "kids" think it's perfectly okay to leave the chestnut peels after devouring those that fall in the yard. The best part? Having my lardo d'Arnad photo featured in an italian restaurant and hospitality magazine, Italia A Tavola . I'm pretty stoked, and was sent a pdf copy of which I've snipped a part here.

Good day for a hike: 2500 feet, 23 km and 7.5 hours

A hunk of bread, a wedge of aged sheep's cheese, a couple canteens of water and some fruit. I regret not being able to share a more thorough and detailed trail description but this was more for practice and not for the lofty views. Ever since the movie The Way , we both had to know what one 20 kilometer day (12+ miles) would feel like if we were to embark on, at most, the 40-day 800 kilometer Camino de Santiago in Spain. That's a lot of walking. I think I would get real skinny if I missed a meal. Lecco's mountains are covered in so many up-and-down trails that all you need do is get to any village above the lake. We started at an altitude of 670 meters and walked up another 762 to the top of Monte Tesoro in Valcava. That's a height difference of 2500 feet, 8 kilometers and 2.5 hours at a steady pace with Maddie and Mr B in tow. From there we made a loop trip back down, stopping often to munch on vittles and to take a look around. Altogether a total of 23 kilom