Exploring Noli

What a fantastic day! We definitely got the walk we’d desired and, after a slow start, we left Molly Moho and followed the Ligurian Coastal Path westwards up onto the headland.

The views were stunning with the blue sky and turquoise sea, dotted with windsurfers. We soon reached Noli Castle, perched on the hillside and, costing only €2.50, it was a bargain to go in and explore and take in the views.

From the castle, we dropped down into Noli… what a beautiful place, with its walls, gates, cobbled traffic free streets and towers! It’s very charming and somewhere I’d recommend visiting… at this time of year anyway.

We noticed a focaccia shop with a long queue outside, so we thought we’d see what the fuss was about and buy some for lunch. We sat in the shade in the square to eat it… delicious! Then, needing a drink, we stopped at a bar, also receiving a plate of (unneeded but tasty) nibbles to eat while we enjoyed people watching… it’s a good job we’re hiking all this food off! There was a lovely atmosphere in Noli, busy with Italians enjoying their Sunday, but not overwhelming.

We left the town through one of the gates, crossed the road and walked along the lovely promenade where bars and restaurants were making the most of the late season visitors. The beach had fishing boats on it, which were surrounded by sunbathers. It was very picturesque.

We carried on westward taking the coastal path again, up to Capo Noli. It was hot by now, but the path was shaded by trees, so the climb wasn’t unpleasant.

Our furthest point was a cave in the headland, Grotta dei Falsari, where I could imagine people living in years gone by. Then we climbed higher up the headland where the views were wonderful in all directions.

We then turned round and made our way back down to Noli, mostly on a different path from the one we’d come up on. Back in the town, we refreshed ourselves with a beer on the prom and a swim. I’d debated swimming because we still had an hour left of our walk, but the sea was too inviting to refuse!

By now the sun was dropping so, after drying off, we took the lower path back around the headland to Spotorno. After almost 10 miles, we finally reached our campsite, ready for a shower and tea. It really was a wonderful day… the perfect mixture of hiking and being a tourist, with delightful weather and lots to see.

Today we’re moving east along the Ligurian Coast. Maybe we’ll get to do some snorkelling. We’d like to use our kit before we head home!