Tour 11 / The North West Tuscan Way / Hike to Forte dei Marmi Hostel / In Pictures
p r e s e n t s
North West Tuscany for the Independent Tourist
IN PICTURES
Tour 11: Hike to Forte dei Marmi Hostel
Along with its justifiably proud reputation for culinary excellence, and as if North West Tuscany needed yet one more feather in its cap, along with the wine, the art, the history, the culture… etc, etc, etc. perhaps one more accolade should go to their extensive system of trails, hostels, car parks, and buses. (Ah, the buses. Clearly not the time or the place here, but take a look at the posted schedule when it scrolls up, and tell me just when the bloody things run, and perhaps more importantly, when they don’t. Hint: beware school holidays. Do they / Don’t they run?) 
While not every trail is maintained to the level we are to enjoy today I found these ancient paths to hold a quite fascinating and enduring allure. Throughout the three months of my stay I had reason to walk mile-upon-mile on such trails. I did manage to get lost once, but I really had to work very hard at it. So ‘engaged’ with my surroundings was I, in fact, that I failed to realize I had chosen the wrong way and forgot to keep checking for those big, bright red and white marks. 
No markings = lost! And lost in the woods is no place to be so – pay attention people – repeat after me: “watch for those markings” ! As mentioned, there really is no saying just what will loom around the next bend when hiking these extremely well maintained paths; an old mill, or lonely military outpost, a castle, or a ruined church. Often these expertly engineered footpaths more resemble narrow roads, with the sophisticated masonry bridges, buildings and walls, added to – and taken from – through the centuries, right up to this day… and only narrow-in when a particularly steep climb is required. I can only imagine the sights and sounds as people down the centuries have engaged in essentially the very same thing – each one negotiating the demands of a very steep path in his, her or it’s way. 
When all said and done the only thing that is going to get you up to that terrace-in-the-sky, is your own supply of strength, stamina and will power. It’s not all steep though, not all the time, in fact there are plenty of stretches whereby misty glimpses of remote villages may be caught at various viewpoints along the way. Amazing it is – just what, or who, you are likely to meet along these paths. I won’t spoil the surprise however, but I feel we are to witness one such character today, so keep your eyes peeled.
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It came as somewhat of a surprise to realize that none of the photos you see today were actually released with my Rogue Carver on the Loose in Italy real time dispatches. Hikes such as these served as a priceless physical outlet, and as mentioned above, I dutifully walked countless miles; from village to village, from nowhere to nowhere, somewhere to somewhere… it didn’t matter. It never does. But this time it was special. I was in a new land, a new strange land, with strange customs, a rich and very long history, and traces of all this – everything – was there to be discovered, on foot. And so, I cannot sing the praises of these magnificent pathways too loud. Kudos to all involved by the way. The hostel operates in co-operation with the others in that they all offer a bed, an evening meal, breakfast and a packed lunch… for a standard price. The two gentlemen I encountered on my climb up to the hostel told me that the tab usually comes to something like 4o Euros… sixty dollars or so at the time. But that’s it ! You can then hike from hostel to hostel for sixty bucks a day…. and remember what I said about the food around here. Deliciouso. Speaking of food…. should all this strenuous hiking our fuel on your raging appetite I have just the place. Magnificent lions, a vast square, huge cathedral, and a meal to remember. Yes, next up: we’re off to Massa !!!!
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and now
the slideshow
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thank you for visiting martincooney.com
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next
The North West Tuscan Way: In Pictures
Tour 12: Massa, and the Lions
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