It has been a horrible autumn so far this year with lots of
rain. Sunday seemed to present an isolated day of good weather so I decided to
take advantage and take an autumn hike along the Apennines from Passo Pradarena
to Passo Romecchio to pay my respects to a particular little monument.
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Arriving at the pass the weather did not look too promising with the top of the “Crinale” covered in cloud.
Indeed the first hour of my walk took place in the middle of the clouds
covering the mountains. However at a
certain point when I was beginning to wonder if it was worth carrying on, I saw
the mist had started to move in the opposite direction, always a good sign that
things are changing. In a matter of minutes
the clouds had almost disappeared and I found myself in the middle of a splendid autumn
day.
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| Monte di Soraggio,RE |
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| Monte di Soraggio,RE |
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| Monte di Soraggio,RE |
I was too late this year to see the red sea on certain parts
of the mountains that the Myrtle Berries create in autumn, but the bright
orange colours of the Beach tree forests was a good substitute. The vast
swathes of dead grass also gives a strange fawn colour to the landscape.
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| Monte Sillano,LU |
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| Monte Sillano,LU |
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After leaving the
forest track at Ronco di Fuori this path
becomes one of the most spectacular paths in the high Apennines, with some
wonderful views all round as one follows the high crest. On one side is the
vast glacial circus below Monte di Soraggio and on the other the Alpi Apuane
and the Garfagnana.
Looking ahead one sees the massive form of Monte Cusna. The steep slopes on each
side of the path give you the impression of being very high up above
surrounding landscape.
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| Monte di Soraggio,LU |
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| Monte di Soraggio,LU |
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| Monte di Soraggio,LU |
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| Monte di Soraggio,LU |
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| Monte di Soraggio,LU |
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| Le Porraie,RE |
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| Monte di Soraggio,LU |
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| Monte di Soraggio,LU |
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| Le Porraie,RE |
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| Le Porraie,RE |
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| Le Porraie,RE |
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| Le Porraie,RE |
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| Passo di Romeecchio,LU |
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| Passo di Romeecchio,LU |
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| Monte di Soraggio,LU |
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| Passo di Romeecchio,LU |
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| Passo di Romeecchio,LU |
Eventually the path winds its way down to the little chapel
at the Passo di Romecchio and the
epitaph of a Shepherd carved in stone:
As a humble Shepherd who up here lived
In this quiet and in
its sweet enchantment.
For a perennial memorial on this rock I wrote
for my future grandchildren of my regret
