Walking through Portofino and Cinque Terre
Along the Ligurian Coast through fishermen villages and natural terraces
Hiking Cinque Terre is a fantastic way to visit these incredible and beautiful villages along the Ligurian coast of Italy. Ancient paths and mule tracks, wooded slopes plunging towards the Mediterranean, sea overlooking coast with bays and beaches leading to the medieval villages and shrines: all this is conserved in the National Park of Cinque Terre, a UNESCO heritage. The uniqueness and architectural beauty of the Abbey of San Fruttuoso set in the heart of the Natural Park of Monte di Portofino. The green, the flowers and scents of the endemic Mediterranean vegetation and the blue of the Mediterranean will lead us to discover the perched villages known as “le Cinque Terre”. Toward the Gulf of La Spezia through the fishing villages of Portovenere.
Highlights:
- The picturesque villages of the Cinque Terre National Park, UNESCO Heritage.
- The Portofino Natural Park and the S. Fruttuoso Abbey.
- The Mediterranean vegetation of the coastal path.
Highlights:
- The picturesque villages of the Cinque Terre National Park, UNESCO Heritage.
- The Portofino Natural Park and the S. Fruttuoso Abbey.
- The Mediterranean vegetation of the coastal path.
Day 1: Arrival in Levanto
Individual arrival at Levanto. After setting in your hotel, time to relax and enjoy this lovely village. The church (XIII century), the castle, the lovely hills and the beautiful beach are all worth visiting. Overnight stay in Levanto with dinner included.
Day 2: Hike across the Punta Mesco Cape (3 h hiking, gradient + 315 mt – 315mt, 7,5 km)
After breakfast, at your leisure, enjoy your first walk across the Punta Mesco Cape. Starting from the Levanto historical centre, passing the ancient medieval defensive walls, the mule track will lead us in the pine forest with beautiful viewpoint on the sea. Arrival in Monterosso, the first village of the “Cinque Terre National Park”. Visit of the elegant historical centre, the “Capuchin Monastery”, the narrow typical Ligurian street. Train back to Levanto (5 minutes, you buy ticket locally). Enjoy a Ligurian cuisine menu on your own and then same hotel back in Levanto.
Day 3: Hike Portofino Natural Park and S. Fruttuoso Abbey (5,30 hours hiking, gradient +650 - 650 mt, 13,5 km)
After breakfast train to Camogli (40 minutes). Camogli, the land of the Thousand White Sailing Ships, still retains its old and strong maritime tradition linked to the nearby town of Genoa during the Maritime Republics. The hike of today will lead to beautiful Abbey of San Fruttuoso that appears like a mirage in the wonderful tiny bay. Continue into the forest of oaks, Mediterranean flowers and the terraces of olive trees in the direction of the village of Portofino, one of the most charming seaside villages of Italy. Ferry to Santa Margherita (20 minutes) and train back to Levanto (35 minutes). Overnight again in Levanto with dinner included.
Day 4: Hike Vernazza to Manarola (4 hours hiking, gradient +435 – 435 mt, 10 km)
After breakfast, private transfer to Vernazza and brief visit of this tiny coastal village. (1h30mins). Vernazza is a tiny coastal village from where starts the muletrack in direction of the terraced vineyards. Passing first among the olives trees field and lush oak forest. We’ll reach the perched village of “Corniglia”. After visiting its historical center, keep following the stairs and the cobbles stone path until Volastra. Arrive in the charming seaside town of Manarola, the fourth of the Cinque Terre, by a comfortable walk among the agave and lemon trees. Overnight stay in Manarola.
Day 5: Hike Manarola to Portovenere (4h30 hours hiking, gradient + 635m –660mt, 13km)
After breakfast train to Riomaggiore (2 minutes). After passing through the narrow streets of Riomaggiore, the last village of the Cinque Terre, start climbing toward the “Madonna di Montenero” Sanctuary. Between the colors and the perfume of the rosemary, the myrtle and the arbutus, reach the mountain village of Campiglia. The walk ends in Portovenere, one of the most fascinating village of the Ligurian Coastside. Boat back to Manarola to enjoy a splendid view of the coast (50mn).
Day 6: Hike up to Monte Capri and back to Manarola (4h30 hours hiking +708 - 702 12km)
From Manarola, you start this walk up to Monte Capri. Along the walk, you’ll encounter a fallen menhir almost 4m high. Continue the hike to the top of Monte Capri, and then start the descent towards Groppo, where you’ll enjoy a visit of a wine cellar ended by a wine tasting. Then, walk all the way down to Manarola. Overnight stay in Manarola
Day 7: Departure
After breakfast, transfer to La Spezia train station and end of the services.
Individual arrival at Levanto. After setting in your hotel, time to relax and enjoy this lovely village. The church (XIII century), the castle, the lovely hills and the beautiful beach are all worth visiting. Overnight stay in Levanto with dinner included.
Day 2: Hike across the Punta Mesco Cape (3 h hiking, gradient + 315 mt – 315mt, 7,5 km)
After breakfast, at your leisure, enjoy your first walk across the Punta Mesco Cape. Starting from the Levanto historical centre, passing the ancient medieval defensive walls, the mule track will lead us in the pine forest with beautiful viewpoint on the sea. Arrival in Monterosso, the first village of the “Cinque Terre National Park”. Visit of the elegant historical centre, the “Capuchin Monastery”, the narrow typical Ligurian street. Train back to Levanto (5 minutes, you buy ticket locally). Enjoy a Ligurian cuisine menu on your own and then same hotel back in Levanto.
Day 3: Hike Portofino Natural Park and S. Fruttuoso Abbey (5,30 hours hiking, gradient +650 - 650 mt, 13,5 km)
After breakfast train to Camogli (40 minutes). Camogli, the land of the Thousand White Sailing Ships, still retains its old and strong maritime tradition linked to the nearby town of Genoa during the Maritime Republics. The hike of today will lead to beautiful Abbey of San Fruttuoso that appears like a mirage in the wonderful tiny bay. Continue into the forest of oaks, Mediterranean flowers and the terraces of olive trees in the direction of the village of Portofino, one of the most charming seaside villages of Italy. Ferry to Santa Margherita (20 minutes) and train back to Levanto (35 minutes). Overnight again in Levanto with dinner included.
Day 4: Hike Vernazza to Manarola (4 hours hiking, gradient +435 – 435 mt, 10 km)
After breakfast, private transfer to Vernazza and brief visit of this tiny coastal village. (1h30mins). Vernazza is a tiny coastal village from where starts the muletrack in direction of the terraced vineyards. Passing first among the olives trees field and lush oak forest. We’ll reach the perched village of “Corniglia”. After visiting its historical center, keep following the stairs and the cobbles stone path until Volastra. Arrive in the charming seaside town of Manarola, the fourth of the Cinque Terre, by a comfortable walk among the agave and lemon trees. Overnight stay in Manarola.
Day 5: Hike Manarola to Portovenere (4h30 hours hiking, gradient + 635m –660mt, 13km)
After breakfast train to Riomaggiore (2 minutes). After passing through the narrow streets of Riomaggiore, the last village of the Cinque Terre, start climbing toward the “Madonna di Montenero” Sanctuary. Between the colors and the perfume of the rosemary, the myrtle and the arbutus, reach the mountain village of Campiglia. The walk ends in Portovenere, one of the most fascinating village of the Ligurian Coastside. Boat back to Manarola to enjoy a splendid view of the coast (50mn).
Day 6: Hike up to Monte Capri and back to Manarola (4h30 hours hiking +708 - 702 12km)
From Manarola, you start this walk up to Monte Capri. Along the walk, you’ll encounter a fallen menhir almost 4m high. Continue the hike to the top of Monte Capri, and then start the descent towards Groppo, where you’ll enjoy a visit of a wine cellar ended by a wine tasting. Then, walk all the way down to Manarola. Overnight stay in Manarola
Day 7: Departure
After breakfast, transfer to La Spezia train station and end of the services.
Grade: Moderate, 3 to 5 hours walking. A prior hiking experience is recommended
Accommodation:
3 nights in 4* hotel in Levanto (Depending on availability 1st Park Hotel Argento Standard rooms; 2nd choice Hotel Al Terra di Mare)
3 nights in hotel or B&B in Manarola (Depending on availability 1st choice Hotel Marina Piccola Standard rooms, 2nd choice B&B Da Baranin Standard rooms)
Equipment: trekking shoes, trekking trousers and shorts, wind and water proof jacket, bathing suit, sun glasses and sun cream, multitask knife, trekking poles
Getting there: The closest airport for this tour is Genova airport. From Genova, take a train to La Spezia. From La Spezia, take a regional train to Levanto
Price includes:
6 nights in hotel with breakfast included
2 dinners
Luggage transfer from Levanto to Manarola and from Manarola to Portovenere
Private transfer from Levanto to Vernazza
Wine tasting day 6
Transfer to La Spezia train station day 7
Welcome phone briefing
Maps, route notes
Local phone assistance
Mobile APP and gpx tracks
Price does not include:
All kind of beverages and personal items
Cinque Terre Card (5€)
Dinners and lunches (except dinners on day 1 and 3)
Museum and monument entrance fees
Transfer from airport to hotel day 1
Transfer from hotel to airport day 7
Train, boat and bus tickets (about 30€)
Boat ticket from Portofino to Santa Margherita Ligure day 3
Personal items
Tourist taxes
Everything not mentioned in the ‘price includes’ paragraph
Accommodation:
3 nights in 4* hotel in Levanto (Depending on availability 1st Park Hotel Argento Standard rooms; 2nd choice Hotel Al Terra di Mare)
3 nights in hotel or B&B in Manarola (Depending on availability 1st choice Hotel Marina Piccola Standard rooms, 2nd choice B&B Da Baranin Standard rooms)
Equipment: trekking shoes, trekking trousers and shorts, wind and water proof jacket, bathing suit, sun glasses and sun cream, multitask knife, trekking poles
Getting there: The closest airport for this tour is Genova airport. From Genova, take a train to La Spezia. From La Spezia, take a regional train to Levanto
Price includes:
6 nights in hotel with breakfast included
2 dinners
Luggage transfer from Levanto to Manarola and from Manarola to Portovenere
Private transfer from Levanto to Vernazza
Wine tasting day 6
Transfer to La Spezia train station day 7
Welcome phone briefing
Maps, route notes
Local phone assistance
Mobile APP and gpx tracks
Price does not include:
All kind of beverages and personal items
Cinque Terre Card (5€)
Dinners and lunches (except dinners on day 1 and 3)
Museum and monument entrance fees
Transfer from airport to hotel day 1
Transfer from hotel to airport day 7
Train, boat and bus tickets (about 30€)
Boat ticket from Portofino to Santa Margherita Ligure day 3
Personal items
Tourist taxes
Everything not mentioned in the ‘price includes’ paragraph
Trips Note
Destination: Liguria
Travel Style: Self-guided walking holiday
Interest: Beaches and coastal hiking
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Departures: Apr May Jun Jul Sep Oct
Group size: from 1 person
Airport: Genova, Milano or Pisa
