Monte Epomeo. Downhill on a mountain path

After viewing the island from the top of the dormant volcano Monte Epomeo, I descend down the already familiar path.

Monte Epomeo Trail, Ischia

In some places, the path is squeezed by stone walls and turns into almost a tunnel.

Monte Epomeo Trail, Ischia

Just below you can see signs of civilization, metal pillars, either remnants, or blanks for fences, it is unknown only from whom.

Monte Epomeo Trail, Ischia

In some places, there are natural viewing platforms near the path, from where you can look at the houses and farms of the southern part of the island.

Monte Epomeo Trail, Ischia

The path to the top is marked with clearly visible white-and - red route stamp icons.

Monte Epomeo Trail, Ischia

I arrived in Fontana early, so I walked to the top alone. Now trekking enthusiasts are coming towards us in an almost continuous chain. And everyone will definitely smile and greet you!

Monte Epomeo Trail, Ischia

Approximately two-thirds of the way from Fontana to the top is quite possible to drive by two-wheeled transport. You can go higher, but you can't avoid pedestrians on a narrow path.

Monte Epomeo Trail, Ischia

The Grotto of St. Francis always attracts the attention of tourists. I stopped by here on my way up, too.

Monte Epomeo Trail, Ischia

The path widens, a smooth white tuff stone underfoot.

Monte Epomeo Trail, Ischia

There are slightly noticeable branches off the main trail. My GPS map shows several paths leading around the slope of the former volcano.

Monte Epomeo Trail, Ischia

Even lower width of the road allows you to drive a cargo scooter. This is a very popular transport in the mountainous part of the island. Motor scooters have replaced donkeys-the traditional mountain transport.

Monte Epomeo Trail, Ischia

Tourists walking along the path look with bewilderment at a car trying to pass along the donkey trail. There are two girls in the car who are obviously Russian in appearance.

Monte Epomeo Trail, Ischia

Patriotic tourists from Ukraine left a yellow and blue flag as a souvenir.

Monte Epomeo Trail, Ischia

A restaurant where you can take a break and refresh yourself before the most difficult part. Although I went to the top very early, it was already open.

Monte Epomeo Trail, Ischia

From here you can also take a horse ride to the top.

Monte Epomeo Trail, Ischia

Finally, I came out on an asphalt road lined with private properties with gates made of old spring beds.

Monte Epomeo Trail, Ischia

Paths with roots sticking out of the ground lead to the gates.

Monte Epomeo Trail, Ischia

As I was walking in the morning, two workers were sawing down trees that overhung the road. After an hour and a half, you could see only neat stumps, there was not a single twig on the roadway.

Monte Epomeo Trail, Ischia

One can only marvel at how the rather large trees held up on this slope. The trunks were twenty centimeters thick or more.

Monte Epomeo Trail, Ischia

A water supply node made of natural stone, which is also a place for mailboxes. Water is supplied to households via flexible plastic hoses. For some reason, it doesn't occur to anyone here to close counters with iron doors and three locks, as we have in Russia.

Monte Epomeo Trail, Ischia

As it should be on a mountain road, mirrors are installed at the turns. Despite the fact that I didn't see more than one car during the entire trip. Well, except for those two extreme girls, but this is an exception.

Monte Epomeo Trail, Ischia

Another roadside hole is a grotto. I saw about five of them during my walk on Meonte Epomeo. What kind of animals dug them, I have no idea, a small bear can easily crawl into such a hole.

Monte Epomeo Trail, Ischia

Pinia, a Mediterranean pine, is a typical representative of the local flora. The umbrella crown gives a good shade in the heat, and for its beautiful appearance, pines were used for decorative purposes by the Etruscans.

Monte Epomeo Trail, Ischia

Silvery acacia, now it's just time for its flowering.

Monte Epomeo Trail, Ischia