KCC Day 1: Soverato to Petrizzi (13 km)

KCC = Kalabria Coast to Coast. We had a nice breakfast at the hotel, then met our guide Giuseppe who will lead us on the hike the next 3 days. We left our luggage at the front lobby; the bags/suitcases will be picked up and taken to our next hotel. We also picked up our lunch pack since we will be eating lunch on the trail. As we head to the trail head, town's name in block letters offered great photo opportunities. We began our hike at sea level.

Then the trail began to climb.

And climbed

And climbed

More then halfway to Petrizzi ...

Then downhill to civilization again !!!

Refilled water bottles at public drinking fountains ...

Stopped at the Cafe del Corso for beer, gelato, snacks, rest, and to get our KCC passport stamped

Visited the church in Petrizzi

Left town, heading towards our bed and breakfast still a few km away but at least it was mostly downhill.

Finally, the entrance to the bed and breakfast Podere Pansera

Oh no, still have to trek uphill to get to the buildings, hoping mylegs would hold up for a bit longer ...

But the grape trellises on the way up are pretty ...

We (the stragglers) finally checked in, got our luggage that was waiting for us. I had a lovely spacious room with a view of hillside from the front door. We got drinks, a few hikers tried out the infinity pool but it was tooo cold for me.

And then dinner time! Not many choices on the menu and the food (ala carte) was so so.