Liguria, Cinque Terre & Portovenere

 As soon as you get settled in your accommodation, step outside and breathe in the incredibly fresh, crisp air of the Mediterranean Sea. In the afternoon you can visit the historic centre, and in the evening, let all your senses be delighted as you prepare for your phenomenal walking adventure ahead. 

After breakfast take the train to Bonassola where the day’s walk through the hills separating Bonassola, Framura and Deiva Marina starts. The first part (Bonassola-Framura) is extremely panoramic with wonderful views over the Northern Ligurian coast. 

Arrive in Deiva Marina and take the train back to Monterosso.

Challenge: 5 hours, 12.5 km / 8 mi, 657m ascent, 643m descent

Take the chance to spend a day hanging around the Cinque Terre, enjoy the sun and the blue sea. As an alternative you can choose to walk one the itineraries described below.

Before departing for your walk, go to the Park Information Office at Monterosso Train statin and collect your Cinque Terre Card.

WALK A: Walk or Taxi to Soviore and walk back to Monterosso via Vernazza

Walk or take a bus or taxi to the Soviore Sanctuary where you can stop for a visit before starting the walk to Monterosso via Vernazza. From the sanctuary you walk on asphalt road, and then take a nice panoramic path that slightly descends to the Madonna di Reggio. Continue walking on a stone path down to Vernazza where you take the panoramic coastal path back to Monterosso. To shorten the walk, you can stop in Vernazza and take a train back to Monterosso.

WALK B: Corniglia-Volastra-Riomaggiore-Manarola

Reach Corniglia by train from Monterosso and reach the village. Then you walk up and take the path towards Volastra that finally will take you to Riomaggiore. Once you arribe in Riomaggiore, take a train to go back to Monterosso.

WALK C: Monterosso-Vernazza-Corniglia

Today you walk along the busy coastal trail that connects the five villages of the Cinque Terre. The trail contours the coastline, ascending and descending, and it includes some stone staircases that can be challenging. The route is straightforward and easy to follow.

Challenge: 4/4/3 hours, 10 - 7 km / 6 - 4,5 mi, 643/471/482m ascent, 1098/448/404m descent

The day’s walk is along the promontory which separates Levanto and Monterosso following the coastal trails with spectacular views on the Cinque Terre and the Levante Ligure. Once you are in Levanto stop for a visit of the centre and of the Sant’Andrea Church. You can decide whether to go back to Monterosso by train or on foot. The way back runs along a path which starts downtown Levanto and reaches the top of the ridge. Enjoy the views over Levanto and the mountains which surround its gulf. Then reach Punta Mesco and walk back to Monterosso.

Challenge: 5 hours, 14 km / 8,5 mi, 820m ascent, 820m descent

A short train ride brings you to Riomaggiore from where you walk to the ridge of the mountain chain bordering the Cinque Terre area. From Colle del Telegrafo you follow this panoramic ridge trail all the way to Portovenere, passing through the village of Campiglia. Today’s itinerary offers spectacular views on the Cinque Terre coastline and the impressive cliffs of Portovenere.

Challenge: 6 hours, 13 km / 8 mi, 861m ascent, 875m descent

The day’s walk around Palmaria Island is something you won’t forget. A great variety of scenery dominates the island, from the rich Mediterranean vegetation made of fragrant broom, brightly coloured cyst flowers, wild orchids and delicately perfumed myrtle to the features steep cliffs up to height of 188m. The walk starts in Punta Secco with the spectacular view of the Church San Pietro and the imposing limestone cliffs of Muzzerone rising in the background. Along the way you find serveral small caves (most notably the Grotta dei Colombi where human and animal remains were found dating back the Neolithic Era). Continue on to the top you reach the Fortified Battery of Umberto I, today known as the “Sea Fortress”. After the walk take the ferry back to Portovenere.

Challenge: 2.5 hours, 6.4 km / 4 mi, 326m ascent, 339m descent

The trip and our services end after breakfast. Take a public bus to La Spezia and there a train to Pisa, Genoa, Florence or Milan airports.