Vineyard challenge

A TRAIL running race is to be held through the vineyards of the Italian Riviera in March. 

The 30-mile trail is ideal for those with a high level of fitness looking 

for a new challenge in a stunning setting.

Named the SciaccheTrail – after the local wine – the route winds through the vineyards of the Cinque Terre National Park.

Planned to start in Piazza Garibaldi, in the historic center of Monterosso and climb via Punta Mesco through a stretch of "up and down" single track to "Colle di Gritta" on to Soviore - the first sanctuary of the Cinque Terre (and one of the oldest) following a single track through mediterranean shrub with breathtaking views over the sea, which descends to the next sanctuary, Reggio. From Reggio the course climbs, via Drignana, to the Alta Via (high path) of the Cinque Terre and reaches the highest point along the SciaccheTrail course, Monte Malpertuso, at 750 metres above sea level .........

....... then to "Colle del Telegrafo", before descending to the Sanctuary of Montenero and then to Riomaggiore, the vineyards of Corniolo, and the hamlet of Groppo, whilst the course passes alongside the steel wine barrels and modern winemaking machinery for the production of Sciacchetra'.  After which the course again begins descending to Manarola, through terraced vineyards, old mule tracks, olive groves, to the hamlet of Volastra and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Health.  This is the area with the highest concentration of cultivated vineyards, which via a single track through the vineyards leads to Corniglia, Vernazza, and on to the finish line of the SciaccheTrail in Monterosso al Mare, the final village.

The race – which is hoped will be annual – takes place on March 29, and the entry fee is £30. To protect the path, the number of runners will be limited to 200.

For full details, go to www.sciacchetrail.com

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Picture Credit - From Top: "Manarola - Le terrazze" by William Domenichini (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons; "CinqueTerre" by Ac07kn - Own work. via Wikimedia Commons; "Italy - Liguria" via Wikimedia Commons.