Alternative Way From The Fortress — Attraction in undefined

This path is the free path to get up to the San Giovanni. The pebbly path starts behind the mall at end of the road on the right side. When you come to a split end, take the right again( shown in photo) as the left will just bring you to an end.

The hike is pretty easy with low incline but just very pebbly. You definitely need a good walking shoe for that. Once you get to a bed and breakfast accommodation (which is a split road again and shown in my pic) take the steps behind the bed and breakfast which is on your right up the hill.

The path continues up and go around an abandon church and will lead you to an open window on the wall. This is where you get to the other side where people pay to get on the steps. There used to be a ladder to climb up to the window for easy access (guessing thats where the name of this path came from) but during my visit in early May, the ladder has been removed and only some stacked stones to step on. I will not recommend older person or weak upper body strength to attempt that. If you can its as easy as like getting out of the pool or someone can pull you up from the other side of the window.

Certainly the view is better on the stone steps side but we went back down as the way we came to avoid having to pay is someone is checking.

Overall it was a nice hike up. We enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the fjord from up above. We are fast walkers and took us about an hour ish to...

This is not really an "alternative way" to the fortress. The path ends at some kind of window which you can climb through to get in. To reach this window, you have to boost yourself up the wall or balance on a rickety, precariously balanced makeshift "ladder". No thanks.

We were pointed in the right direction by a local person towards the fortress; otherwise, the path continues on up the mountain.

The path itself was covered in small stones, which made it not that great for walking and rather slippery going down. There were some good views of the harbor, but not that spectacular. Near the fortress "window", there was an old church and some ruins, which were interesting to see (and mountain goats).

It was something to do, but wasn't that stunning. Also, apparently vipers lurk in the underbrush, so make sure to stay on the path.

Fortunately, this path is free to walk. It's quite annoying you have to pay an entrance fee to walk the regular path from the town. But I suppose they have to make...

July 2025 - I arrived at the paying kiosk at 7:45am prepared to pay but there wasn’t anyone there so I just walked up the stairs to the top - great views, took an hour with lots of stops and was out of direct sunlight at that time of day. Always planned to come Back down the alternative “free path” as it was easier on my knees. BUT I did need helps from 2 strangers to get down!! As people say - the ladder is gone and what was there was a precarious tree stump Balanced on some rocks. If I had attempted it myself I would have injured myself for sure. Luckily the 2 lovely strangers helped me otherwise I couldn’t have done it. I really enjoyed this route back down because what it lacks in terms of views it makes up for with the church, cheese shop and easier path and some shade - underneath the gorgeous mountains! Also took me just under an hour...