Mountain trekking

[Dermot Brophy]

Evening all, new-comer Dermot Brophy here again.

My question about music evoked such a prompt response - (thanks, Lesley) that I have another one.

Another interest I have is hill walking - not rope and crampon stuff - just mountain paths - a couple of hours at a time.

Anybody know of reasonably accessible sentieri around San Nicola or Scalea? I have done a little wandering, but find it difficult to be sure that I am not trespassing on someone's back garden! Is there anything in the nature of a map of such pathways? Or, indeed, are there any walking groups about that do this kind of thing ina semi organised sort of way?

Dermot

[Italy4me]

Hi Dermot,
How's your Italian?
I have a bit of stuff that details a walking trail from San Nicola along the coast - but it is in Italian (although Google translate does a reasonable job of translating it).
Let me know if you'd like me to email it to you.
I also have some maps saved somewhere (I think Mart who is also in San Nicola asked a similar question a while ago)
I had saved the maps "in a safe place" on my hard drive - just need to find them again - easier said than done!)
Regards Lesley

[Dermot Brophy]

Buona sera, Lesley.

Il mio Italiano non e troppo bad!!!

What you have sounds great. My email is dermotbrophy@hotmail.com and anything you can send will be much appreciated.

Grazie

Dermot

[MART]

Dermot

We have a small apartment in San Nicola and in the same situation trying to dig out walking maps and information.

I was told that the Tourist information office in Maratea maybe a useful source of information.

I tried on a couple of occasions on my last visit a few weeks ago to get into the office but it was closed, just bad timing on my part.

I will write to them and keep trying and will let you know if I find anything.

Mart

[Italy4me]

Mart,
My friend has a friend who works in the Tourist Info office in Maratea.
I'll ask for you!
BTW did you meet my friend's mum and dad (and their friends) in San Nicola in September?
If it was you they followed your tips for things to see and do!

Regards, Lesley

[Italy4me]

Here's a link to a circular walk around San Nicola:

terrestri
Then click on Grand Corniche

Regards, Lesley

[Dermot Brophy]

Thanks again, Lesley. I have duly saved that most intresting map. If and when I get a chance to explore it on the ground, I'll report back to the Forum.

Mart, I presume you are back in the UK at the moment. We'll be here for a couple of weeks yet.

Our plans are vague - but we will certainly be back for an extended stay in late March, early April. If you are here at the same time we might very well do a bit of walking together - provided you're happy with a fairly leisurely sort of pace.

Keep in touch

Dermot

[MART]

Dermot

We will be back in March / April time to get some further work done but hope to get a chance to at least have a couple of walks - so get your boots polished !!

In the meantime I found this site and have sent for the Orsam - Pollino map.

ManyMaps

Never used them but I will let you know what happens.

Cheers

MART

[MART]

Lesley

Thanks again.


MART

[Doug]

E molte grazie to you Mart for sharing that link. I definitely will get one of those Pollino maps fast and maybe sneak away to a trail while there this month.

Augueri,

[Dermot Brophy]

MART

That link is great - I also sent for the Orsomarso/Pollino map - and I even found an interesting one about The Wicklow Way - on my own Irish doorstep.

I look forward to swapping notes on all of this some time in April.

For the moment, grazie e buona notte, Mart, Doug e Lesley

A Presto

Dermot

PS, Nora and I have just had a quite delicious meal da Stephano - Casale, in the Centro Storico of San Nic. A.

Not to be missed.

D

[Italy4me]

Dermot!
I didn't realise you were here just now.
How are getting online?
Would you like to meet up for a drink sometime?
Lesley

[Dermot Brophy]

Hello, Lesley.

A meeting for a chat would be most pleasant. If you like to email me - dermotbrophy@hotmail.com we set it up over the next couple of days - we have 9 days left here before we depart for the cold northern climes.

We are going out just now, but I'll check my mail this evening around 20.00

Thanks for all the help

Dermot

[natcat100]

Hi we have an apartment in Maiera, The walk from the village through the Gorge to Grissloia is fantastic! it takes about an hour and a half.

[Dermot Brophy]

That sounds good - I have just seen Maiera once - decided that it was worth much closer scrutiny than a closed-up Sunday afternoon.

Does this walk stick to a road, or is it on a cross-country path? From exactly where does one start?

Sorry for the inquisition, but with all the info I'm getting on this I feel like a child in a toy-shop!!

Dermot

[Dermot Brophy]

Originally Posted by Italy4me

Dermot!
I didn't realise you were here just now.
How are getting online?
Would you like to meet up for a drink sometime?
Lesley

Lesley. I just realised that I missed your question about my access to the net.

I have one of these flash-memory type modems from 3, which I use in Ireland. It works perfectly here, and the chap who sold it to me in Dublin assured me that I could use it here without any roaming charges. At home, I pay just 20 Euro a month for 10 gigs down-load. I can't remember the amount of up-load.

I think, short of downloading the complete works of The Bard, you'd be unlikely to use more than the 10 gigs.

Looking forward to getting together,

Regards from

Dermot and Nora

[Italy4me]

Originally Posted by Dermot Brophy

I have one of these flash-memory type modems from 3, which I use in Ireland. It works perfectly here, and the chap who sold it to me in Dublin assured me that I could use it here without any roaming charges. At home, I pay just 20 Euro a month for 10 gigs down-load. I can't remember the amount of up-load.

Thanks for that, Dermot. The 3 modems seem like good value and work well over here from what I've heard.
Will email you re meeting up,
Lesley

[natcat100]

The wal is all on a small path/track not difficult but steep in places, it winds it way to the bottom of the gorge where there is some old deralict buildings then winds it way back up to grissolia. The path starts near the cemetry there is a small sign but it's easily missed.

[Dermot Brophy]

Natcat

Thanks - next time here I'll certainly do that one - sounds just about right for me.

dermot

[Doug]

Hi Dermot, Mart and other trail enthusiasts,
I ordered my Parco Pollino map from ManyMaps
on Nov 3 and received it today Nov 8. That's pretty good service from Belgium to Oregon. Our review of the map here shows it to be a well detailed map including topography. Regional and national trails are highlighted. A good map overall as far as the details. I can't wait to get over there and do some ground truthing to see what's really there, what the trail signage is like, etc. It should be useful if and when I'm able to buy the dual sport motorcycle I want for touring remote dirt roads. OHH, it also shows Santa Domenica is mostly included within the park...something to boast about!.

The rest of my critique: Being what you would call a Forest Ranger with the US Forest Service here, I'm used to our offices selling numerous maps. The one I received from this Belgian website has good information, but at a high cost....about twice what you'd pay for such a map here and that was before the 6,90 euro postage fee. They have printed the map on inferior, non-coated paper that will take a beating quickly with moisture.

But, I'm glad to have it and will put it to use. There are stores that sell waterproofing for the surface and I'll see about treating this expensive map that way to preserve it.

On the private land issue -- without an Italian official to ask, and looking at the map, it appears that the State/Province designates trails across private land all over Italy. This was the case at Cinque Terra, the delightful area that excited us about Italy in the beginning. Those ancient trails between villages cross all private land and if landowners are concerned about trespass, there are signs. This Pollino map has many trails and routes shown that are not designated as "official" routes, but I bet many are open to us. More time will tell as we venture out exploring. The track between Maiera and Grisolia is noted on this map as an example of one recognized as open to the public.

Thanks again Mart. I hope to have time to look quickly at a couple sentieri the week after next and will report what I learn. Have a nice weekend.