Walking Holiday in Portofino and the Cinque Terre

Walking Portofino and the Cinque Terre

8 Days & 7 Nights 4.5 Read 13 reviews

Walk Italy’s Cinque Terre National Park, exploring its five colourful villages
Pathways through lemon groves and terraced vineyards with sweeping views
Enjoy “La Vida Dulce” with chilled limoncello, steamed seafood and pesto pastas
Discover the medieval picturesque town of Portovenere, an artist's haven
Soak up the charm of the poetic town of Portofino on the Italian Riviera

An unforgettable journey walking Italy’s Ligurian coast exploring the five villages of the Cinque Terre and the colourful bay of Portovenere. Hike village-to-village alongside lemon groves and vineyard-lined pathways linking the fishing communities of the Cinque Terre; Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. Soak up the Italian charm, sunshine, sparkling beaches, patio cafés, all of which are quintessential Cinque Terre. Experience the quaint cove of Camogli and the medieval and picturesque haven of Portovenere. Here you can enjoy a refreshing limoncello while overlooking the Gulf of Poets. All along the coast you will find wonderful local seafood restaurants and charming hotels for your overnight stays.

What To Expect

Travel Restrictions

This trip is perfect for those who want to explore this lovely, rugged part of the Italian Riviera on foot, with ferries and trains often linking the walks together. This tour is graded moderate, with an average of 10-11 km per day along coastal and mountain trails. There are many elevation gains and losses which need to be taken into consideration. Within each overnight village trains (and often ferries), are available at specific intervals along the route for the flexibility to complete longer or shorter walks, making this active adventure your own.

Trip Style:

Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent holiday.

Activity:

Multi Centre Walking | You will spend multiple nights in one or more of the locations on this walking holiday

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Foodie Adventures, Coastal & Island, National Parks & Trails

As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveller this holiday would be suitable for is: 5 Years

Inspiration:

Most Popular
Classic

Grade & Terrain

This trip has 6 days of walking and is graded moderate. The terrain varies from coastal paths to rolling mountain trails making for a pleasant mixture. Each day can be shortened by taking a train or ferry to your next overnight destination (please refer to your walking notes for specific locations en route). A 48-hour (two-day), trail and rail pass is included which can be used for the Cinque Terre portion of this trip takes you to the start of each hike within the national park and ensuring the flexibility to shorten your walk or avoid a section completely should there be a landslide or trail closure. This may occur and more information on trail closures is provided in your information pack.

Daily walks average around 10-11 km, following dirt paths, paved roads, forest trails and coastal paths. Some of the routes encompass short sections of staircases, especially while walking from village-to-village within the Cinque Terre. To get the most from this trip you should be in excellent physical shape and comfortable walking on undulating terrain with many ascents and descents. Please be advised that this trip may not be appropriate for unstable walkers or people suffering from vertigo.

Navigation

While the route is not waymarked, navigation is straightforward using the Macs Adventure Smartphone Navigation App. Your daily walks will be mapped in the app with GPX tracks, including route notes and turn-by-turn directions. All of these resources are available to download for offline use. More information is outlined within your detailed information pack, in addition to 24/7 telephone support from Macs Adventure should you require assistance.

Accommodation Information

Included in this trip are 7 nights in hand-selected, charming accommodations. We’ve carefully selected properties so that you enjoy every minute of your stay on the Italian Riviera and Cinque Terre.

Additional Nights

You can easily request to add on an extra night at any location during this itinerary. Please notify us at the time of booking should you wish to add extra nights.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

This trip is based on double occupancy (two people sharing a room). If you’d like separate rooms, a single supplement is required. If you would like to request a twin room (same room with two separate beds), please notify us at the time of booking so we can request this option. This trip is also available to solo walkers.

Meals

Breakfast is included each morning and consists of a traditional European style breakfast ranging from coffee, tea, yoghurt, granola, meat, cheese, and baked goods. In some cases, a hot dish (eggs and pancakes) will be served or offered á la carte.

Lunches and dinners are not included in this trip, so you are free to choose from nearby available options. We recommend finding cafés or restaurants located in the towns or along the walking route, or you can purchase snacks and a picnic lunch to bring along with you. Further details can be found within your information pack and route notes.

Included

7 Nights in charming hotels
7 Breakfasts
Transfer from Camogli to San Rocco (Day 2)
Transfer from Camogli to Deiva Marina (Day 3)
Detailed Information Pack
Luggage transfers (Days 3, 4 and 7)
3-Day Cinque Terre Card & Train Pass
Detailed Information Pack
Access to the Macs Adventure Navigation App
24/7 Telephone support

Excluded

Personal Equipment
Drinks and snacks
Tourist taxes (to be paid locally)
Lunches and Dinners
Travel Insurance (required)
Travel to Camogli and from Portovenere

Extras

Additional nights before, during or after the walk

When To Go

This tour is available to start anytime between April and October. As Portofino, Portovenere and the Cinque Terre are very popular destinations, we suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalized to ensure availability for specific dates. The springs months of April, May and June offer warm sunshine, fewer crowds and pleasant conditions. The autumn months of September and October are also a favorite time of year, boasting cooler weather and a striking landscape made up of fall colors. July and August are also great months to go but can be very hot for walking. If booking during these months, we, therefore, advise you to start your walks very early in the morning to avoid the midday

Getting to the Start

For the easiest and most convenient method of travel, we recommended flying into Genoa and taking the direct train to Camogli. Genoa has an airport with flights from international and national destinations. From the airport, take the local bus (or taxi), to the central train station (Brignole Station) for a direct train to Camogli. Total journey time is around 1 hour.

Pisa and Florence also have airports with flights from international and national destinations, including central train stations with rail networks to Genoa, for catching direct trains to Camogli. Visit Trenitalia for times, prices and booking. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office or online prior to departure. A private transfer from Genoa, Pisa and Florence to Camogli can be requested. Please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to add this option (additional costs apply).

Getting from the End

La Spezia has a central train station that travels back to Genoa, Pisa, Florence or any onward destination desired in Italy. You can either take a taxi (approx. 35 Euros) directly to La Spezia Train Station or the local bus. A local bus runs every 30 minutes (every 15 minutes during peak season) from Portovenere to La Spezia (approx. 2 Euros, 40 minutes). Bus stops are located near the harbor and at various locations around Portovenere and will drop you off in the centre of La Spezia (approx. 5 minute walk to the train station). A private transfer from Portovenere to La Spezia Train Station can be included in this trip instead. Please let us know at the time of booking if you desire to add this option (additional costs apply).

Baggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.

General Information

Please note that the reviews for this walking holiday up until December 2019 are based on our previous itinerary. As of December 2019, minor changes and improvements have been made to enhance your experience.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.

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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Camogli and overnight Day 2 Walk to Portofino 6 miles / 10 km

Begin your day with a short transfer (15 mins) to the Church of San Rocco and a walk through open pine forest and alongside the Mediterranean Sea. Pause at the port of San Fruttuoso to explore the beautiful 11th century stone abbey. From here you can continue walking or alternatively catch the ferry (payable locally) to the fishing village Portofino on the other side of the bay and spend an afternoon exploring.

Continue walking to Portofino and reach Il Faro, a beautiful lighthouse located at the headland of Portofino or up to Castello Brown, a 16th-century fortress and art museum for spectacular vistas. Spend some time at this destination favored by the operatic powerhouses, Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli, before taking the ferry back to Camogli. Wave ciao (goodbye) to the colorful panoramas of Portofino.

Overnight Camogli

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Al Piccolo Scoglio B&B | Bed and breakfast

This hotel, located in the small fishing village of Camogli, is the perfect starting point to the Ligurian Riviera. Enjoy a warm welcome by Stefania (and her team), attentive service, comfortable rooms and being strategically positioned only a few steps from the seaside promenade, overlooking the beach and Golfo Paradiso’s natural park of Portofino.

Albergo La Camogliese | Hotel

The hotel is situated in an ideal location allowing you to appreciate the beauty of the culture and natural surroundings of this cozy sea-front village nestled in a gulf fittingly named “Paradise”.

I Tre Merli Locanda | Hotel

With an unbeatable location overlooking the fishing harbor, I Tre Merli Locanda is ideal for your stay in Camogli. Start your day with breakfast out on the pier.

I Tre Merli has just 5 guest rooms, guaranteeing an attentive and personalized service. The relaxation area invites you to unwind in its Jacuzzi, steam bath and hydro-massage shower. Locanda I Tre Merli is set in the historic center of Camogli which is for pedestrians only.

Day 3 Transfer to Deiva Marina, walk to Bonassola 6 miles / 10 km Day 4 Walk to Monterosso 7 miles / 11 km

Leave Bonassola as you walk along old railway tracks recently transformed into an even, easy walking path. Enjoy an array of terrain as you trek through tunnels, over bridges, and along the rugged coastline into the green interior valley of Levanto (from Levanto you can shorten your walk if you wish, by taking a train to Levanto from here).

Upon reaching the ridge’s top, take a moment to absorb the sweeping views of the rolling mountains surrounding the “Gulf of Paradise.” Arriving at Punta Mesco, continue your descent along olive groves and vines to Monterosso, with its large sandy beach and calm waters.

Overnight Monterosso

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Marina | Hotel

You are assured the warmest of welcomes at the Hotel Marina. Hotel Marina has 25 rooms. The hotel lies in a quiet area, 100 meters from the sea, the beach and the beginning of the hiking path to Vernazza in the wonderful scenery of the Cinque Terre. All the 25 rooms of the Hotel Marina are air-conditioned and come with a flat-screen TV and minibar. The en-suite bathroom is fitted with a shower and includes towels and a hairdryer.

Hotel Amici | 3 Star | Hotel

Hotel Amici is perfectly located in the centre of Monterosso, 5 minutes from the sea. They offer a comfortable stay with a delicious morning breakfast. Don't miss the lovely garden with sea views and terraces where you can sit and enjoy the lemon trees, olive trees and the lovely scent of rosemary.

Locanda Il Maestrale | Guest House

Stefania and Giovanni are the owners and the managers of the XXVIII sec. building, which has been recently restored following modern stardards. The terrace of the inn overlooks the historycal centre main street and the inn is a short step from restaurants and shops. The beach and the ferry boats dock are just 2 minutes away as well as the path n.2 leading to Vernazza. All rooms have private bathroom with shower and hairdryer, satellite TV, mini bar, safe and air conditioning.

Day 5 Train to Manarola, walk to Corniglia and train back to Monterosso 4 miles / 7 km

Make sure to take your Cinque Terre rail pass with you today in order to reach the beginning of today’s walk. Hop on the train, sit back and enjoy the views over the sea on your way to Manarola (trains depart about every 30 minutes). This walk takes the high route and winds its way between Manarola and Corniglia as if its sole objective is to showcase the beauty of the Cinque Terre region. Traverse terraces of vineyards enjoying an endless array of viewpoints. Take a train back from Corniglia back to Monterosso.

This evening, dine “al fresco” at one of the many delicious restaurants lining the piazza and historic centre, especially for a hot pot of freshly caught steamed seafood, a Ligurian specialty.

Overnight Monterosso

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Marina | Hotel

Hotel Amici | 3 Star | Hotel

Locanda Il Maestrale | Guest House

Day 6 Train to Corniglia, walk to Monterosso 5 miles / 8 km

After breakfast, take the train back to Corniglia for a steep, but well worth the effort walk. Follow the path as it goes up-and-down to Vernazza, the most postcard-friendly of the villages. With a small beach, harbour and long history as a prominent fishing village, enjoy exploring this town’s historic highlights including; 11th-century Belforte Tower, Doria Castle, and Santa Margherita d’Anticochia Church.

Follow the panoramic path from Vernazza back to Monterosso for another afternoon spent at your leisure.

Overnight Monterosso

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Marina | Hotel

Hotel Amici | 3 Star | Hotel

Locanda Il Maestrale | Guest House

Day 7 Train to Riomaggiore, walk to Portovenere 8 miles / 13 km

Take the train back to Riomaggiore to walk out of Cinque Terre and into the hillside bordering Portovenere, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and artist haven that’s inspired painters, musicians and literary greats such as Byron and D.H. Lawrence. Walk to Colle del Telgrafo following the ridgeline to Campiglia, and descend to Portovenere with its brightly-colored houses. Stacked side-by-side, these houses, once served as a united wall aimed to withstand attacks from pirates (look close and you can still see the holes and marks that scar its sides) and are now one of Portovenere’s iconic treasures.

Visit the black-and-white striped Gothic church of St. Peter, its nearby cemetery and stone fortress overlooking the Gulf of Poets.

Overnight Portovenere

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Paradiso | Hotel

Hotel Paradiso is overlooking the sea, with a view to the island of Palmaria, the Gulf of Poets and the open sea. From the two terraces of the restaurant you can enjoy the pleasure of Ligurian cuisine with panoramic views over the coast. The comfortable rooms, all facing the sea, are furnished in a friendly and cosy style. There is also free WiFi available.

Torre Porto Venere | Hotel

Situated between the old city walls and the promenade, the 16th century building of Torre Porto Venere offers a unique view over the most evocative village of the Gulf of Poets.

Once used for military purposes, the round-shaped building offers our guest a 360° view, quite rare in village like Porto Venere, where houses were strategically built in rows to form the typical frontage. The recent renovation was carried out in full respect of traditional materials and colors, restoring the original splendor of this massive building. Each room is unique, set apart by the unusual shape of this historic building, the architectural and furnishing solutions, and the tailor-made lighting. Yet, they all offer the same high-quality standards. From the quality of sleep to the choice of fabrics, from the selection of materials in rooms and bathrooms to the unmistakable design – the rooms feature high quality, simplicity and robustness.

Day 8 Onward travel

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