The sea, hills, vineyards, old fishing villages and Genovese churches open up onto the enchanting landscapes of the Cinque Terre. In the Middle Ages, the word “terre” meant “village”. That is how the
expression “Cinque Terre” was born. When you arrive from Genoa, after Punta Mesco, the first village is Monterosso and its huge beach; then, Vernazza, at the mouth of a torrent; then, Corniglia, on a hill, and finally Manarola and Riomaggiore, multicoloured mosaics clinging to the rock. This is a man-made landscape with a great number of terraces steeply overlooking the sea. Nowadays, this site is a Natural Park and a marine protected area, recognized by Unesco. The Cinque Terre must be relished by foot, along the paths and the one century old stairs.
Tour Highlights
• A semi-itinerant 9-days tour
• Accommodation in a 3* hotel in Levanto and a 4* hotel in Camogli
• Wonderful hikes
• The National Park of the Cinque Terre
You will spend six nights in Levanto in a 3* hotel and spend two nights in a 4* hotel in Camogli, the town with “thousands of white sailboats” and the Portofino Peninsula. This stay, with an easy to intermediate level, will suit those who have a good physical shape and who, preferably, practice hiking quite regularly.
Arrival at Levanto, bathed by the waves, surrounded and protected by the green mountains of the
Apennines. Then, you will have the time for a little visit of the center of the village and maybe also the time to swim to get rid of the fatigue of the day.
Dinner and overnight in Levanto.
The first day of hiking will take you to Monterrosso al Mare via the shore and its wonderful beaches. The first part of the hike will lead you to Punta Mesco, which is the most remarkable lookout point of the region. Moreover, it is a wonderful site for a picnic! Nearby, you will be able to make a detour to discover the ruins of an old hermitage dating back to the 11th century and to see the very close lighthouse from which you will enjoy stunning views over the rugged coastline. Then, you will go down to Monterosso with a quite steep path. It is a colourful village with blue, red and yellow houses gathered in front of the beach. You should take the time to explore the village before taking the local train that will take you back to Levanto. If you wish, you can take a forest path further inland to go back to Levanto.
Dinner and overnight in Levanto.
About 4 hours and 30 min of walking. 350 to 700 meters of ascent/descent according to the chosen option.
Today, you will leave Levanto and go west. You will walk across the first hills, go down towards the small town of Bonnassola and reach Framura with a detour via the lookout point of the “Jump of Lepre”. From there, you will go to Framura and you will be able to either walk round and come back to Framura or keep walking to Deiva Marina. While hiking along the coast, you will meet several charming villages, where you will have the time for a drink or simply have a break and relax. You will also have the opportunity to have lunch.
*From any of these villages, it is possible to take the train to go back to Levanto, in case you would like to shorten the hike.
Dinner and overnight in Levanto.
5 to 7 hours of walking. 500 or 700 meters of ascent/descent according to the chosen option.
First, you will take the train to Manarola, a beautiful village with multicolored houses overlooking a rocky port. The panoramic path will lead you to the village of Volastra in the middle of olive groves and terraced vineyards. At the crossroad, you will have the choice between two options: to go down to Corniglia, a village perched on a ledge overlooking the sea village or to walk towards the pass of Cigoleta (do not go down to Corniglia) and go down to Vernazza, via the Madonna San Bernardino.
Dinner and overnight in Levanto.
3 hours to 5 hours and 30 min of walking. 300 to 600 meters of ascent/descent.
Your hike will take you inside the Cinque Terre, to have a look at the churches of Madonna di Reggio and Madonna di Saviore. You will take the train to Monterosso, walk along the shore to Vernazza and get near this charming little town from the other side. After a coffee-break, you will start walking up to the little church of San Bernardo, with very beautiful views of the coast. Then, you will keep walking to the sanctuary of Madonna di Reggio. Later, the hike will more or less follow the contour lines and you will walk across hills to the other sanctuary of Madonna di Saviore. Here, you can have a break for a while before going down again towards the coast and Monterosso. On your way, you will see little chapels.
Dinner and overnight in Levanto.
5 hours of walking. 500 meters of ascent/descent.
Today, you will walk towards the east. From Riomaggiore, you will go to Campiglia and Portovenere. You will climb a series of stairs and keep hiking via a paved path across an abrupt canyon to the sanctuary of Madonna di Montenero. As you will keep going up, you will walk along coastal cliffs across terraced vineyards and admire the breathtaking views over the coast and the deep blue sea. You will then be on the “Sentiero Rosso”, which is the crossing on a ridge that runs from one side of the Cinque Terre to the other. You will pass several strange sculptures and arrive at the hamlet of Campiglia where you can have a break for a drink. While descending through the pine forest, the path becomes narrower as you approach Portovenere, with several splendid lookout points. When you reach the castle (16th century) overlooking the village, you should glimpse the remote summits of the Apennines. You will arrive at the center of the village via a long staircase and have the time to visit this charming place, as well as the Punta San Pietro, before going back to Levanto with the train.
Dinner and overnight in Levanto.
6 hours of walking. 650 m of ascent/descent.
From Levanto, you will take the train to Camogli, where you will leave your luggage at the hotel. Then, you will start your first hike in the Portofino Peninsula. You will walk towards the monastery of Fruttuoso, dating back to the 11th century and beautifully located in a creek. You can reach it only by boat or by foot. The walk will take you through forests. You will pass in front of the Church of San Rocco and meet an impressive number of lookout points. From San Fruttuoso, you will be able to go back either by boat or by foot.
Overnight in Camogli.
4 to 7 hours of walking.
You will start with a transfer by train to Santa Margherita, where you will have the time to stroll in the surroundings of this attractive little town. From there, you will walk to Portofino, along a “jet set” resort… but, apart from this, the village is wonderful and very colourful! If you are not tired, you can keep walking along the path and admire wonderful views over the Gulf of Genoa. You will reach the Abbey of San Fruttuoso, this jewel from the 11th century, from the other side. You will go back to Santa Margherita by boat, where you will take the train to Camogli.
Overnight in Camogli.
4 to 7 hours of walking.
End of the stay after breakfast.
Itinerary Modification:
We may have to modify the itinerary due to organizational problems (overbooking of accommodation, landslides, paths in bad conditions, etc.). These modifications are always made in your interest, for your safety and for your comfort!
8 nights of accommodations in double rooms, half-board in Levanto in a 3* hotel (6 nights) and bed & breakfast in Camogli in a 4* hotel (2 nights).
Flights are not included.
This is a self-guided tour. Digital travel pack with documents sent by email (documents in German, French or English as clients request) + access to our phone travel app for the hikes and maps. The application is in English only. If a client wishes to have a “printed travel pack” (with paper roadbook in German, French or English + maps), it needs to be requested at the time of booking and there is a supplement fee of 35 € per package. The printed travel pack will be waiting and given to clients at the 1st accommodation included in this itinerary.
All breakfasts and dinners in Levanto. All breakfasts in Camogli.
Printed travel documents: 35 € per copy
Tourist taxes
Digital travel pack
Travel to Levanto & from Camogli (flight, train, bus, etc.)
Drinks
Lunches
Transfers (bus, train, boat)
Entrance fees for trails/paths
Dinners in Camogli
Entrance fees to tourist attractions
Printed travel pack
Registration fees
Personal expenses
Insurance
All that is not indicated in “the prices include”.
Transportation not included.
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