Via Genova back to the E1

My last post often seems like an eternity ago.

And in this case, it doesn't just seem that way, but it is, because I've been putting off writing a half-written blog entry for over two weeks.

Often I'm too tired to write in the evenings, or when I do have time I lack creativity or don't really want to come up with the words.

So now, somewhat delayed, my experiences in northern Italy:

At the beginning of April I was on my way to Cinque Terre and now I have already finished my first section in Germany and am currently recharging my batteries at home in the Black Forest.

Often I just stand there and try to realise what distance I have already covered, but I don't really want to succeed. It's a bit crazy!

My route took me through two of the five towns of Cinque Terre. The views were gorgeous both from the trails and in the towns, so it's not for nothing that they are a very popular destination.

Vernazza early in the morning

I continued along the coast in the direction of Genova, whereby the path through the mountains led steeply uphill and downhill again and again and I had to challenge my leg muscles quite a bit.

One day before Genova there was even a small section where I had to climb a bit and chains were anchored to the rock to hold on. At an altitude of 700 m, I was quite grateful for these, as it was very steep going down the sides.

Since my visit to Genova fell on the Easter weekend and all the accommodation was fully booked anyway, I found a campsite a bit outside of the city.

As beautiful as the path out of the city was and offered great views, the ascent into the mountains was also strenuous. But then I saw on my map that my route and that of the E1 overlapped and since there were no more snow-covered mountains to be expected afterwards, I was able to change back to my original route at the next E1 sign.

And as I slowly made my way west past Milan, I could suddenly see the Alps again on a rather rainy day. An absolute goosebump moment for me, as the Swiss border was now actually so close and I realised that I was now shortly before of having crossed Italy completely on foot.

First view of the Alps

Before the border, I stopped in Milan, met up with my sister and her boyfriend, and walked for a day with my sister the following day. I enjoyed the company very much and we had a wonderful day.

In the evening, I took the bus to a campsite on Lake Maggiore before my last leg in Italy the next morning.

Sunset at Lake Maggiore

However, I then saw during the hike that I had mistaken on the map by a distance of 10 km and it was still a total of almost 45 km to the border.

But just the thought of crossing the border and my joy was enough to actually arrive by evening in Porto Ceresio and with the biggest smile on my face I crossed the border to Morcote in the rain by boat. Arrived in Switzerland, I suddenly had energy again and then actually hiked in the rain another 10 km to Lugano.

Shortly before Lugano on the lake in the evening light

Still completely caught in a rush of happiness, I fell into bed there and looked forward to the upcoming time in Switzerland.