Stage 24: Fenis to St. Vincent — June 20, 2022

19 km — 32^oC and sunny/hazy — We met no more pilgrims on their way to Rome.

(By Laurel)

Fenis is located on the cycle path, so that’s the trail we started out on early this a.m. — flat along a canal, then along the river for a few kms until we arrived at the town of Chambave, where we transferred back to the walking path of the VF.  Now we put our legs to the test, as the VF rapidly went steeply up and had some downs as well; I’m pleased to report that our legs are back to normal!  It seems our strategy of using the flat cycle path yesterday provided the needed respite.

This route took us high above the river below and had quite a bit of shade.  Another scorcher today!  We passed a couple of old abandoned stone villages and several vineyards (not abandoned).  I noticed one olive tree in someone’s yard — the first one I’ve seen since leaving Tuscany.  In the town of Chatillon, it was market day and so we feasted on a roasted chicken, hot off the spit.

As the photos show, we trod on a variety of surfaces and walkways today.

Our destination for today was St. Vincent, a pleasant town which boasts a large casino and a hot spring/spa.  But we didn’t visit either one.

Along the cycle path (paved) and through Chambave (cobblestones)

The Dora Baltea River — seen from our trail up above and close up.  The colour of the water is a milky grey due to “glacial flour” (pulverized minerals from glaciation).

The trail going up …. and down!  But it’s steeper than the photo shows.

Left:  a trail marker                Right:  some of today’s way was on narrow paths

More trail markers and a soft path

Passing by the abandoned villages.  Who had once lived here?

Our route went up stairs and up rocky trails

Top:  along a ridge

Bottom:  the tidy vineyards way up high on the mountainside