Italy: Walk Cinque Terre & The Italian Riviera
6 days,5 nights and 4 full days of moderate walking. 2-5 hours daily, on precipitous stone footpaths and coastal trails through the beauty of the Five Towns – Cinque Terre
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. What is unique about this area is that it was crafted by humans: carrying rock after rock up the hillsides on their shoulders and using these rocks to build low walls, they meticulously changed the steep mountainsides into cultivable terraces. Before the advent of the railway in the middle of the 20th century, the ancient systems of hillside footpaths were the towns' only link to the outside world. These winding ways still form one of the most amazing coastal routes in Europe. The Cinque Terre are five (cinque) towns along the Liguria coast. If there were Sei (six) Terre, the sixth would be Levanto, whose territory lies within the Cinque Terre National Park and is the base for the start of this adventure. Your next destination is Santa Margherita Ligure, located along the innermost part of the Tigullio Gulf on the east side of the Portofino peninsula. Its surrounding hills are covered with Mediterranean vegetation and offer the most favourable setting for spectacular views of the coast. The terraced lands, the elegant cobbled roads twisting their way down through the colourful houses, and the locals' traditional fishing vessels make this town, together with the charming Portofino and the pleasing Camogli, one of the most picturesque areas of Italy.
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
- Day 5
- Day 6
Meeting day Meet at your hotel in Levanto at 18:00.
Your guide will introduce the plan, and take you for dinner in Levanto. D
Hotel Villa Margherita, Levanto, www.villamargherita.net
Levanto – Monterosso. Walking – moderate about 3 hours
Start walking directly from your hotel in Levanto. After a visit to its 13th century black and white striped Chiesa di Sant'Andrea (Church of Saint Andrew), exemplary of 13th-century Ligurian Gothic style, head off toward Monterosso, following a trail above the sparkling water of the marine conservation area. You will pass the ruins of a Chapel dedicated to St. Antonio, and an old lighthouse, as you make your way up the stepped slopes. Walking on the hillside through a shadowed forest and along some terraces, the ancient mule path will take you to Punta Mesco, one of the most remarkable bird’s-eye viewpoints over the five villages. From there, descend on antique stone steps to Monterosso, the largest village of the Cinque Terre. Take time to enjoy Fegina Bay with its sandy beach and the medieval fortifications in the town’s historic heart before returning to Levanto by train. BL
Same lodging
Portovenere & Isle of Palmaria. Walking - easy 3 hours.
Today you will discover the fascinating beauty of the Poets' Gulf. Start on public transport to the delightful village of Portovenere, elected 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 terrific beauty of San Peter Church, built over a cliff. From the harbor of Portovenere, take a boat to the Isle of Palmaria. An easy walk around the island will show you steep rocky cliffs, suggestive grottoes and abandoned marble quarries. A panoramic ferry journey takes you from there to Monterosso, providing the opportunity to admire all the five lands before returning to Levanto. Dinner tonight features delicious local produce and traditional Ligurian dishes. BLD
Same lodging
Riomaggiore – Manarola – Corniglia & Vernazza. Walking – easy to moderate 3.5 hours.
Today’s lovely walk takes you to the remaining four of the five scenic villages that give the name to the Cinque Terre, starting with a short train ride to the village of Riomaggiore. From there, a brief paved coastal path, known as the "Love's Trail", takes you to the picturesque village of Manarola. From Manarola to Corniglia the trail becomes narrow and steep. The beautiful switchback staircase takes you up to the next village of the five lands - a hamlet up on a sheer cliff. The views are amazing and it’s really a breath-taking walk. In Corniglia, you can take your time wandering through the narrow alleyways of steep multi-coloured houses before taking the next section of the path to Vernazza. Walking through ancient cultivated terraces, olive groves and woodland, then along the cliff edge, you will have impressive views coming into Vernazza - a cluster of rooftops around a lovely harbour. There is plenty of time to explore the tiny village with its weather beaten multi-coloured facades, before taking the train to your next destination: Santa Margherita Ligure. BLD
Hotel Jolanada, Santa Margherita Ligure, www.hoteljolanda.it
Portofino – San Fruttuoso. Walking - easy to moderate 3.5 hours.
A superb walk takes you out of Cinque Terre Park over to the Peninsula of Portofino, to visit the glamorous village of the same name, also called the Jewel of the Riviera. This is a perfect starting spot to taste the charming atmosphere of the Italian Riviera. Portofino is a gorgeous fishing village boasting an atmosphere of pure elegance. From here, there is an impressive hike along a scenic trail that winds its way above the sea before reaching the medieval Benedictine abbey of San Fruttuoso in a tiny rocky cove. You can visit the monastery before the coastal boat to Camogli. From there, it’s a five-minute train ride back to Santa Margherita Ligure for a farewell dinner to celebrate the conclusion of this fantastic Italian adventure. BLD
Same lodging
Departure
After breakfast, from Santa Margherita Ligure, you can easily catch trains for the rest of Italy. B
| Start: | Levanto, 18:00 day one. Train connections available from all major Italian cities. |
| Finish: | Santa Margherita Ligure, 10:00 day six. Trains connections are abundant |
| Guided Cost: | $2695 (per person, includes 6 days, 5 nights, 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners, park entry fees, luggage handling, local guide, all transfers and transport, one wine tasting) |
| Single Occupancy: | $575 |
| Bicycle Rental: | Hybrid: $195; Racing: $275 |
| 2012 Guided Dates: | Add your own dates (learn more). |
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
