The ‘Via del Grano’ (way of the grain) is one of several footpaths which have been cleared and opened up to the public by the Gruppo Pegaso, Bagni di Lucca’s enterprising trekking association.   Formerly a mule-track it starts from the old Demidoff hospital at Ponte a Serraglio, now the headquarters of the alternative healing Global Village. It wends its way upwards to the village of Granaiola, whose name derives from the wheat fields for which it was famous in past generations. The route then continues along a ridge to descend to Fornoli and the railway station and return to its starting point at the Demidoff.

We are fortunate in that our house is not too far away from the ‘Via del Grano’ and that we do not even have to cross a road to reach it. This makes it very useful for a walk with our cats, Carlotta, born 2012, Cheeky, born 2013 and Archie, born 2019.  They certainly enjoy following us, or more often, leading us along this mountain path. The scenery the ‘Via’ crosses is quite varied ranging from forest to meadow to orchard. At one point it meets a little hamlet with its own chapel, the Madonna Della Neve, the Madonna of the Snow. Here is a selection of photos from the walk we took along it a couple of days ago.

I sadly see that the present granary of Europe (and a large part of the world) is still under the most horrific and sensless attack. I sincerely hope that another ‘way of the grain’ may not have to wait too long before it is returned to peace and to growing wheat again.