Refuge de l'Onda to Vizzavona
Day eleven marks our final day on the GR20 today – by the time we reach the village of Vizzavona tonight we will have completed the northern section of this long distance path. We all agree that we would like to come back again to walk the entire route and maybe have a crack at Monte Cinto.
An ascent of Monte d’Oru (2,389m) today will be the highest point for us so far and a fitting climax to our journey through these beautiful mountains.
We start with a steep and sustained climb upwards from the refuge to gain a ridge. After a couple of hours we start the ascent of Monte d’Oru and nearing the summit we drop our sacks for the final short scramble to the top (see photo).
From here the views back over the GR20 give us pause for contemplation – its been a fantastic trip.
To the south we can see the village of Vizzavonna in the distance – it is mainly downhill all the way now with an initial gully decent down La Scala. The stony and rocky path eventually gives way to a forest track but it’s a long, long descent.
My brain has told my body that this is the final hurdle and my knees begin to ache for the first time on the trip – perhaps its suspecting the end of the journey and wants to shut down.
Eventually we arrive in town and immediately head for some beers at the station restaurant. We check into rooms at the Hotel Laricci and spend an excessive amount of time in the shower.
An ascent of Monte d’Oru (2,389m) today will be the highest point for us so far and a fitting climax to our journey through these beautiful mountains.
We start with a steep and sustained climb upwards from the refuge to gain a ridge. After a couple of hours we start the ascent of Monte d’Oru and nearing the summit we drop our sacks for the final short scramble to the top (see photo).
From here the views back over the GR20 give us pause for contemplation – its been a fantastic trip.
To the south we can see the village of Vizzavonna in the distance – it is mainly downhill all the way now with an initial gully decent down La Scala. The stony and rocky path eventually gives way to a forest track but it’s a long, long descent.
My brain has told my body that this is the final hurdle and my knees begin to ache for the first time on the trip – perhaps its suspecting the end of the journey and wants to shut down.
Eventually we arrive in town and immediately head for some beers at the station restaurant. We check into rooms at the Hotel Laricci and spend an excessive amount of time in the shower.
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