Cinque Terre and Ligurian coast walking

Settle in briefly at your hotel, then step outdoors and breathe in the incredibly fresh, crisp air and aroma of the Mediterranean Sea. Snap a pic of historic Monterosso in the evening light in and let your senses come alive with the prospect of a phenomenal week of walking ahead.

Start by heading inland past the ‘Chiesa dei Cappucini’ to reach Colla di Gritta. Trek along a graceful mountain ridge through lush forested sections, passing summit after summit: Monte Molinelli, Monte Rossini, Montenegro and Colla dei Bagari to reach Punta Mesco. Circle back to Monterosso walking downhill on a series of captivating old stone footpaths.

Challenge: 4.5 hours, 9 km / 5,5 mi, 690m ascent, 695m descent

Today you have a pair of itineraries to choose from, both of which offer gorgeous ‘typically Cinque Terre’ views. Collect your Cinque Terre Card at reception or walk over to the Park Information Office at Monterosso train station to get one.

Walk A: Transfer to Soviore and walk back to Monterosso via Vernazza (10 km)
To avoid a very steep start, get a taxi from Monterosso to Soviore Monastery. Or jump right in and hike up the ancient cobbled path to get there. Stop to visit the sanctuary then do a short stretch on tarmac to pick up the panoramic path to Madonna di Reggio. Continue downhill on the cobbled section to Vernazza then meet the coast path leading back into Monterosso.

Walk B: Corniglia-Volastra-Riomaggiore-Manarola (11 km)
Get the train from Monterosso to Corniglia to walk up the path toward Volastra and Riomaggiore. Option of taking the train back from Riomaggiore or hiking the famous ‘Via dell’Amore’ to reach Manarola, and getting the train from there.

Walk C: Monterosso-Vernazza-Corniglia (7 km)
Hike the busy costal trail that connects all five Cinque Terre villages and contours the coastline going up and down, up and down. Pleasant straightforward walking on an easy route, with the occasional challenging section on stone steps. Caution: a maximum of one thousand photos allowed today! At the end catch a train back to Monterosso.

Challenge: 4/4/3 hours, 10 - 11 - 7 km / 4,5 - 7 - 4,5 mi, 645/470/480m ascent, 1095/450/405m descent

Romantic writers Byron and Shelly tapped into direct inspiration on their visit to the Cinque Terre. You will feel inspired too by the spectacular views and painfully picturesque coastline. From Riomaggiore you trek into mixed deciduous forests on path toward invigorating panoramas of the Gulf of La Spezia, which sports an perfectly fitting nickname: the ‘Bay of Poets’. The descent to Portovenere takes footpaths too, and you’ll want to watch your step on occasional steep sections.

Challenge: 4/5 hours, 13 -17 km / 8 -10 mi, 725m ascent, 775m descent

Today you hike one of the area’s most popular routes to reach the idyllic painters’ paradise of Levanto, smack dab in a lush valley in unspoilt surroundings. Check Sant’ Andrea chapel off your list and snap a few shots of the Levante Ligure as you gaze out over crystal-clear waters and drink in the true essence of Liguria. This evening you can drink in the wine as well, as you toast to the Cinque Terre in Bonassola's warm evening air.

Challenge: 4 hours, 10 km / 6 mi, 770m ascent, 775m descent

Walk the hills of the East Riviera and get to know Bonassola, Framura and Deiva Marina on an extremely scenic route. Swoon to clusters of colourful buildings, tiny ports full of local boats, smooth sands and rugged rock. And keep taking pictures as the water changes from cobalt to emerald to turquoise and back again. Once you’ve managed to take in this kaleidoscope of hues, jump on the train to Monterosso.

Challenge: 5 hours, 12.5 km / 8 mi, 655m ascent, 645m descent

Your self-guided walking holiday comes to an end after breakfast today. Depart Bonassola by train for an easy journey to the airport in Pisa, Genoa, Florence or Milan.