Second Hike-Up and Over!


The start of another beautiful day on the Amalfi coast and we all met for a terrific breakfast outside on the terrace of our B&B.  Our scarred and tired legs from the first day's walk were healed and we were ready for another day on the trails.  We were heading to St. Lazzaro tonight, just outside of the town of Amalfi.  Before reaching the trails, we had an hour walk through the vineyards of Tramonti to find our trailhead.  It was a little easier to find our starting point today but once we started we encountered one of the roughest, unmaintained, grown-over trails we have seen on any of our hikes.  Some of the trails were almost impassable and we were wishing we had brought a Machete along to cut our way through. 
In order to reach our destination today, we first had to climb to the top of Mt. Cerreto.  So climb and climb we did.  After chopping our way through the bramble and thistle laden paths, losing the path only once, then climbing our way back up to find it,  we reached our first obstacle, Vena Scalandrone, a large rock outcropping.  Here we had to scramble up the rock outcropping, mostly using our hands and legs to reach the next part of the path.  Then up and up and up we climbed until finally reaching the top of Mt. Cerreto (elevation 1315 meters) with it's cross and and abandoned Refuge hut around 2:00.  Exhausted from the climb we sat and had a well-deserved lunch break and enjoyed spectacular views of the Amalfi Coast.

The afternoon of course, was mostly downhill trails with occasional uphills.  We were careful not to lose the trail as some of the guidance was ambiguous and we were running behind.
We finally made our way to our B&B for the night around 7:00 pm, after 10 hours on the trails and running out of water 1/2 hour from the end.

We quaffed down our well deserved cold beer on the terrace of our B&B, then headed to the showers before a late dinner.  The setting for dinner on the terrace of our B&B was idyllic looking out over the town of St. Lazzaro and the Mediterranean.  See pic's below or today's adventure.

A last look at the view from yesterday's B&B as we set out after breakfast

Fresh lemons at the local market where we stocked up on water and sandwiches for the days hike


Walking enroute through Tramonti to our trailhead for the day.


Views of the mountain villages as we started our ascent.


Climbing Higher


And higher yet


After a long slog up the mountain, we finally reach the summit of Mt. Cerreto, with it's requisite cross and hiker's prayer.


Selfie couple at the summit


The Summit


The abandoned Refuge at the top


Susan reaches the summit


And showing her enormous strength, raises the log for the rest of the hikers to pass under


A well deserved beer on the terrace of our B&B after a 10 hour hike.


Cleaned up and diving into dinner


Sunset falls on the Amalfi Coast.  Our fantastic view at dinner








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