Pont St. Martin to Ivrea

Into Piemonte

It took a while to get going today so we didn’t start in Pont St. Martin until noon. The first sections of the trail were up and down steep and rocky paths. We walked through vineyards, often routed below a canopy of vines.

We took a break at Torredaniele and had a light lunch. The Via now has lots for walkers, with plenty of accommodation, camping, bars and restaurants. There are pilgrim signs everywhere and many places offer a pilgrim discount.

We met another pilgrim, Barbara, who started in Switzerland.

As well as vineyards we walked past orchards and saw olive trees and kiwis being grown.

---

Today's date: 3.9.20

Weather: cloudy with sunny spells

Steps: 35,515

Distance: 23.4 km

Climbing: 406 m

---

From Montestrutto the route ran mostly along the flat of the valley. We stopped at a gelateria and shortly after met our daily donkey.

We climbed over a final hill and down into Ivrea. The via enters the city under a castle. It has a pedestrianised core with narrow streets and interesting shops.

We passed an Olivetti shop (mechanical typewriters) and the cafe where the idea for the Arduino computer was developed. We caught the train at Ivrea station where Antonio Carluccio’s father worked.

The river Dora runs through the city. There were canoeists practising the slalom. It is the national championships here this weekend.

---

Accommodation

We are still staying at the apartment in Roppolo.

---