OVERVIEW
“A walk in the Cinque Terre, an area encompassing five towns of medieval origin on Italy’s rugged Ligurian coastline, offers three magic travel ingredients: splendid scenery, varied landscape and a sense of discovery…” The New York Times – Travel.
The Cinque Terre, with its pastel-colored fishing villages and terraced hillsides covered with vineyards and olive trees, constitutes one of Italy’s most impressive landscapes. The Cinque Terre are five (cinque) towns along the Liguria coast, south of Levanto. If there were Sei (six) Terre, the sixth would be Levanto. Santa Margherita Ligure, it is located along the innermost part of the Tigullio gulf, to the east of the Portofino peninsula. Its surrounding hills are covered with Mediterranean vegetation and offer the most favourable setting for spectacular views out onto the coast.
- ACTIVITY: Self-guided walking tour
- NAME: Walking the Cinque Terre & Portofino Peninsula
- TRIP CODE: ICCCPP
- DURATION: 8 days/7 nights
- GRADE: Easy to moderate
- 2023 PRICES: Starting from Euro 1090.00 per person sharing twin/double room
GALLERY
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- walking cinque terre
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- portovenere hike
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- cinque terre hiking
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- walking in italy
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- cinque terre walks
ITINERARY
Arrival on your own in Levanto. Trains available from Genoa, Pisa, or Milan. (Private transfer rates are available upon request). Private transfer from Levanto railway Station to the Hotel. Overnight: selected B&B or Hotel*** in Levanto
Walking moderate – min 3.5 max 6 hrs. Your day starts with a train ride to Riomaggiore and after the visit of the village a short train ride takes you to Manarola, where you start a scenic hike. From Manarola you reach Volastra, one of the most ancient villages of the coastline and where a XII century sanctuary is located. Here you have a breathtaking view over Manarola, its bell tower and its vineyards. The spectacular walk continues toward Corniglia. The views along this incredibly breath-taking section are amazing. In Corniglia you take your time wandering through the narrow alleyways of steep multi-coloured houses before taking the train to Vernazza. From there you may reach walking the fishing village of Monterosso. If you prefer to spend more time in the villages there is a local train that inter connects all the villages of the Cinque Terre, from Riomaggiore to Monterosso. From Monterosso you can easily take a local train to Levanto (it takes 4 minutes).
Overnight: selected B&B or Hotel*** in Levanto
1st option: Walking easy 3 hrs.Today you have a pleasant visit to discover the fascinating beauty of the Poets’ Gulf. Using public transport you will arrive at the delightful village of Portovenere, chosen as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its unique beauty. The name of the ancient Portus Veneris refers to a temple to the goddess Venus, situated on the promontory where you can admire the beauty of the San Peter Church built over a cliff. From the harbor of Portovenere you take a boat to the Isle of Palmaria. Here you begin an easy walk around the Island, admiring steep rocky cliffs, inspiring grottoes and passing abandoned marble quarries. A panoramic ferry ride takes you to Monterosso, giving you the opportunity to admire all the “five lands” before returning to your hotel.
2st option: Walking moderate 5.5 hrs.
You can opt for a superb walk beginning with a local train ride to Riomaggiore and starting a lovely hike to the delightful village of Portovenere, chosen as a UNESCO Heritage site for its unique beauty. A panoramic ferry journey takes you to Monterosso, giving you the opportunity to admire all the “five lands” before returning to your hotel.
Overnight: selected B&B or Hotel*** in Levanto
Walking moderate about 3 hours.Today your walk begins from Monterosso, going up the antique stone steps to Punta Mesco, one of the most remarkable bird’s-eye viewpoints over the five villages. An ancient mule path takes you to the ruins of a Chapel dedicated to St. Antonio passing an old lighthouse and descending through steps and slopes. Following a trail above the sparkling water of the marine conservation area and walking through a shadowed forest and along some terraces you reach Levanto. You will have plenty of time to explore the tiny village with its 13th century black and white striped Chiesa di Sant’Andrea (Church of Saint Andrew), an example of 13th-century Ligurian Gothic style before returning to your hotel.
Overnight: selected B&B or Hotel*** in Levanto
Walking easy 2.5 hours. After breakfast you take a local train to Sestri Levante (it takes about 30 minutes). From here you take your stunning walk to the Punta Manara. The path starts from the alleys of the old town and after a series of steps leading out of the village, leads to a trail surrounded by a unique mix of vegetation such as Mediterranean scrubland, a strip of cork oak forests and olive groves. The park holds the well preserved remains of the Saracen tower, that stands high above sea level. Characterized by strategic importance, it is an excellent sighting point with magnificent views of the Gulf of Silence and Sestri. After the walk you can easily reach by train (about 25 minutes) your next destination: Santa Margherita Ligure.
Overnight: Hotel*** in Santa Margherita Ligure
Walking easy 2.5 hours.Today you reach by local train the village of Rapallo (about 3 minutes), and after a brief and pleasant walk in the center of this typical Italian Riviera village, you take a cable car to ascend above Rapallo on the sea to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montallegro. According to legend the virgin appeared to a farmer here and there is a fresco inside the choir which represents the apparition to the farmer. There is a lovely walk around the sanctuary with astonishing views of Rapallo as well as the Gulf of Tigullio. The path from the Sanctuary to Rapallo is a lovely walk along an avenue lined with beech, oak and chestnut trees that offers amazing views that need to be seen to be fully appreciated. Return by local train to Santa Margherita Ligure.
Overnight: Hotel*** in Santa Margherita Ligure
Walking easy to moderate 2.5 hours.You final day offers a superb discovery of Portofino Peninsula. A brief train ride (5mins) takes you to Camogli. From here you enjoy a lovely boat ride to San Fruttuoso. The medieval Benedictine abbey of San Fruttuoso located in a tiny rocky cove is an hidden gem in a green bay. Take your time to visit the monastery before starting an impressive hike to Portofino, along a scenic trail that winds its way above the sea. Visit the glamorous village of Portofino called the Jewel of the Riviera. It’s a gorgeous fishing village with an atmosphere of pure elegance and a perfect spot to taste the charming atmosphere of the Italian Riviera. From Portofino you will return to Santa Margherita Ligure on foot along a pleasure walk or by local bus.
Overnight: Hotel*** in Santa Margherita Ligure
Your trip ends after breakfast. From Santa Margherita Ligure you can easily catch the train to your next destination.