Stage 22: Etroubles to Aosta — June 18, 2022

18 km — 28^oC and sunny — We met no more pilgrims on their way to Rome.

(By Laurel)

Soundtrack of the morning:  roosters crowing, dogs barking, birds singing, donkeys braying, church bells ringing, mountain brooks burbling, and …. leg muscles screaming!  Our thighs and calves protested the notion of walking this morning, even just down to the hotel dining room, because they were very stiff and sore from yesterday’s constant descent from the pass.   We had slept well at the family-run Hotel Col Serena and enjoyed the rare full breakfast buffet of ham, cheese, bread, homemade pastries, coffee, etc.  But, despite our reluctant legs, we did hit the trail right after breakfast!  Luckily, the route out of Etroubles was gentle and soon took us on a shady canal-side path that extended for about 5 kms.  Mountain views between the trees were splendid.  But then!  Steady downhill the rest of the way to Aosta.  A hot shower and a rub-down with Voltaren and Tiger Balm did wonders and we treated ourselves to supper at an Asian restaurant, just for a change of menu.

The canal-side path

One of many mountain streams

Left:  a carving of a VF pilgrim, along the path

Right:  a shrine in a small grotto, along the path

Starting to head downward again;  I become a snail

Top:  Aosta city limits — still quite a way to trek on some pavement, though

Bottom:  some vineyards up high, within the city limits