Walking Cinque Terre National Park
Between fisherman villages and terraced vineyards
The elegant coast of Liguria is a succession of medieval villages in pastel colors clinging to the rock above the sea. We are at the heart of the Mediterranean ecosystem which offers itself there in all its splendor, apart from the great axes that can only be discovered on foot. The sea, the hills, the vineyards, the old fishing villages, the Genoese style churches open onto enchanting landscapes. The scenery we admire is the result of the creativity of an entire community which, from a difficult natural environment, has created opportunities for agriculture that has lasted for over a thousand years. A delight for the senses, alternating between walking in the olive fields, bathing in a sublime sea and tasting Ligurian specialties!
Highligts:
- Unique landscape listed as World Heritage by UNESCO
- Villages nestled in rocky spurs on the Ligurian coast
Highligts:
- Unique landscape listed as World Heritage by UNESCO
- Villages nestled in rocky spurs on the Ligurian coast
- Breath-taking views of the sea at all times
Day 1: Levanto
Arrival at Pisa airport and welcome by your guide. Private transfer by minibus (1h30) to Levanto, a charming town on the Ligurian coast with an unforgettable historic center.
Dinner and overnight in hotel in Levanto. (Meals -/-/D)
Day 2: The « Verdeazzurro » path (3.30 hours hiking, +200 mt –200 mt, 10 km)
Today's excursion will be on the "Chemin Verdeazzurro", a 130 km coastal path connecting the port of Genoa to Portovenere. Trek from Levanto through the magnificent Bonassola Bay to the village of Framura. The path is always above the sea among heather and strawberry trees, two typical elements of Mediterranean vegetation. Swimming in the sea. Return by train to Levanto (10 minutes). At Monia and Massimo we will attend a tasting and demonstration of the preparation of "Pesto with mortar" true queen of Ligurian cuisine. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Levanto. (Meals B/L/D)
Day 3: Portofino and San Fruttuoso abbey (4 hours hiking, +500 mt –500 mt, 11.5 km)
Extraordinary day immersed in the breathtaking nature of the Regional Park of the Portofino peninsula. Train to Santa Margherita Ligure, starting point of our adventure towards the village of Portofino and its billionaire yachts, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful villages of the Italian Riviera. Continuation of the trek with wonderful views of the coast to arrive at the Romanesque Abbey of San Fruttuoso, inaccessible by road, hidden in a paradise cove. Swimming in the sea and boat to Rapallo. Free discovery of the charming little town and train to Levanto. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Levanto. (Meals B/L/D)
Day 4: Genoa
Train to the capital of Liguria (50 minutes). Genoa has been the most important Italian port since the time of the "Republic of the Sea". Visiting the city is an extraordinary experience: through the alleys of the historic center, the "carruggi", you will enter a real labyrinth made of small courtyards, medieval portals of marble and slate, Roman churches and Baroque altars. A fabric of lively and colorful everyday life.Our visit continues with the gastronomic experience of Genoa street food and the tasting of "farinata" and "fugassa", two specialties of the city.Free afternoon and return by train to Levanto at the end of the day. (Meals B/L/D)
Day 5: Portovenere (3 hours hiking, +550 mt –550 mt, 10 km)
Transfer by train (30 minutes) and bus (30 minutes) to reach the small seaside village of Fezzano. From here we take the path that leads us to the Muzzerone refuge. From here you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Apennines, Porto Venere and the island of Palmaria. We begin the descent to Porto Venere, a surprising village in a thousand pastel colors where the Doria castle stands out. Free time to stroll through the alleys of Porto Venere. In the afternoon we continue our hike to the village of Le Grazie located on a pleasant gulf. Return by bus and train to Levanto. Overnight in Levanto. (Meals B/L/D)
Day 6 : Vernazza, Volastra, Manarola and Riomaggiore (4.30 hours hiking, +600mt –600 mt, 11.5 km)
Trek to discover the heart of Cinque Terre and 4 of its villages. Departure from Vernazza along the coast to arrive at Corniglia, an adorable village above the sea. After visiting the center of the village we go up the hills towards Volastra, a small village perched on the rock. From here we join the Groppo cellar for a tasting of the precious wines of the Cinque Terre, fruit of hard work of man on vineyards hungry for earth that literally clings to the steep hills. A superb route overhanging the sea and crossing the vineyards mentioned will lead us to Manarola. Our hike ends at Riomaggiore (possibility to take a train) with free time to spend in the small alleys of this village. Return by train to Levanto (15 min). Dinner and overnight in hotel in Levanto. (Meals B/L/D)
Day 7: Monterosso and Pise (3.30 hours hiking, +350 mt –350 mt, 9 km)
Beautiful trekking day from Levanto to cross Punta Mesco from where we discover the Mediterranean ecosystem in all its splendor: olive trees and vineyards and the sea all around. Arriving at the Hermitage of S. Antonio, we enjoy a superb panorama of all of the Cinque Terre hanging from their rocky peaks. Descent to the first of the Cinque Terre villages, Monterosso, whose origins date back to the 9th century. A beautiful cultural walk to discover the artistic jewels of this small village, such as the Gothic church of San Giovanni Battista or that of San Francesco where the works of artists such as Van Dick, Cambiaso or Strozzi are preserved. In Monterosso you can also enjoy the beautiful beach. At the end of the afternoon return by train to Levanto and then journey by train to Pisa (1h40 min), the city known around the world for its leaning tower. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Pisa. (Meals B/L/D)
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, transfer by train to the airport and end of services. (Meals B/-/-)
Arrival at Pisa airport and welcome by your guide. Private transfer by minibus (1h30) to Levanto, a charming town on the Ligurian coast with an unforgettable historic center.
Dinner and overnight in hotel in Levanto. (Meals -/-/D)
Day 2: The « Verdeazzurro » path (3.30 hours hiking, +200 mt –200 mt, 10 km)
Today's excursion will be on the "Chemin Verdeazzurro", a 130 km coastal path connecting the port of Genoa to Portovenere. Trek from Levanto through the magnificent Bonassola Bay to the village of Framura. The path is always above the sea among heather and strawberry trees, two typical elements of Mediterranean vegetation. Swimming in the sea. Return by train to Levanto (10 minutes). At Monia and Massimo we will attend a tasting and demonstration of the preparation of "Pesto with mortar" true queen of Ligurian cuisine. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Levanto. (Meals B/L/D)
Day 3: Portofino and San Fruttuoso abbey (4 hours hiking, +500 mt –500 mt, 11.5 km)
Extraordinary day immersed in the breathtaking nature of the Regional Park of the Portofino peninsula. Train to Santa Margherita Ligure, starting point of our adventure towards the village of Portofino and its billionaire yachts, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful villages of the Italian Riviera. Continuation of the trek with wonderful views of the coast to arrive at the Romanesque Abbey of San Fruttuoso, inaccessible by road, hidden in a paradise cove. Swimming in the sea and boat to Rapallo. Free discovery of the charming little town and train to Levanto. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Levanto. (Meals B/L/D)
Day 4: Genoa
Train to the capital of Liguria (50 minutes). Genoa has been the most important Italian port since the time of the "Republic of the Sea". Visiting the city is an extraordinary experience: through the alleys of the historic center, the "carruggi", you will enter a real labyrinth made of small courtyards, medieval portals of marble and slate, Roman churches and Baroque altars. A fabric of lively and colorful everyday life.Our visit continues with the gastronomic experience of Genoa street food and the tasting of "farinata" and "fugassa", two specialties of the city.Free afternoon and return by train to Levanto at the end of the day. (Meals B/L/D)
Day 5: Portovenere (3 hours hiking, +550 mt –550 mt, 10 km)
Transfer by train (30 minutes) and bus (30 minutes) to reach the small seaside village of Fezzano. From here we take the path that leads us to the Muzzerone refuge. From here you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Apennines, Porto Venere and the island of Palmaria. We begin the descent to Porto Venere, a surprising village in a thousand pastel colors where the Doria castle stands out. Free time to stroll through the alleys of Porto Venere. In the afternoon we continue our hike to the village of Le Grazie located on a pleasant gulf. Return by bus and train to Levanto. Overnight in Levanto. (Meals B/L/D)
Day 6 : Vernazza, Volastra, Manarola and Riomaggiore (4.30 hours hiking, +600mt –600 mt, 11.5 km)
Trek to discover the heart of Cinque Terre and 4 of its villages. Departure from Vernazza along the coast to arrive at Corniglia, an adorable village above the sea. After visiting the center of the village we go up the hills towards Volastra, a small village perched on the rock. From here we join the Groppo cellar for a tasting of the precious wines of the Cinque Terre, fruit of hard work of man on vineyards hungry for earth that literally clings to the steep hills. A superb route overhanging the sea and crossing the vineyards mentioned will lead us to Manarola. Our hike ends at Riomaggiore (possibility to take a train) with free time to spend in the small alleys of this village. Return by train to Levanto (15 min). Dinner and overnight in hotel in Levanto. (Meals B/L/D)
Day 7: Monterosso and Pise (3.30 hours hiking, +350 mt –350 mt, 9 km)
Beautiful trekking day from Levanto to cross Punta Mesco from where we discover the Mediterranean ecosystem in all its splendor: olive trees and vineyards and the sea all around. Arriving at the Hermitage of S. Antonio, we enjoy a superb panorama of all of the Cinque Terre hanging from their rocky peaks. Descent to the first of the Cinque Terre villages, Monterosso, whose origins date back to the 9th century. A beautiful cultural walk to discover the artistic jewels of this small village, such as the Gothic church of San Giovanni Battista or that of San Francesco where the works of artists such as Van Dick, Cambiaso or Strozzi are preserved. In Monterosso you can also enjoy the beautiful beach. At the end of the afternoon return by train to Levanto and then journey by train to Pisa (1h40 min), the city known around the world for its leaning tower. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Pisa. (Meals B/L/D)
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, transfer by train to the airport and end of services. (Meals B/-/-)
Level : This trip is rated Moderate [3]. An hilly-to-steep terrain with large dirt road and mule track. Sections with steps and stairs. Trip members should be capable of hiking up to 5 hours on concurrent days, should know how to swim and be comfortable in the water. A prior hiking experience is advisable.
Accomodation:
6 nights in Hotel ** in Levanto
1 night in a *** hotel in Pisa
Equipment: hiking shoes, wind and water proof jacket, hat and gloves, flashlight with batteries, sun glasses and sun cream, walking poles, swimming suit
Included :
- 7 nights in hotel with breakfast included
- All private and private transportation from day 1 to day 8 as detailed in the program
- All meals
- Entrance fee to the Cinque Terre National Park
- Local tourist tax
Not included:
- Entrance to the Romanesque Abbey of San Fruttuoso on day 3
- Any other services not mentioned in the itinerary
Accomodation:
6 nights in Hotel ** in Levanto
1 night in a *** hotel in Pisa
Equipment: hiking shoes, wind and water proof jacket, hat and gloves, flashlight with batteries, sun glasses and sun cream, walking poles, swimming suit
Included :
- 7 nights in hotel with breakfast included
- All private and private transportation from day 1 to day 8 as detailed in the program
- All meals
- Entrance fee to the Cinque Terre National Park
- Local tourist tax
Not included:
- Entrance to the Romanesque Abbey of San Fruttuoso on day 3
- Any other services not mentioned in the itinerary
Trips Note
Destination: Cinque Terre, Liguria
Travel Style: Guided walking holiday
Interest: Coastal walking; Wine & Gastronomy
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Departures: JAN FEB MAR APR MAI JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Group size: from 4 to 16 people
Airport: Genoa, Milan or Pise
