Cinque Terre Short Break Self Guided Walking Tour

Cinque Terre Short Break

5 Days & 4 Nights 4.3 Read 24 reviews

Discover the best of the Cinque Terre National Park on foot
Enjoy coastal walks between colourful fishing villages
Sample freshly-caught seafood, pesto pastas, and chilled limoncello
Follow the route as it winds through lemon groves and terraced vineyards
Stay in charming accommodations for an authentic experience

Discover the highlights of the Cinque Terre on a short break exploring the Ligurian coast. Hike from village-to-village on a route that connects the five small fishing communities that make up the Cinque Terre. Walk along the dramatic coastline taking in the fresh scent of the sea and stunning views to the sparkling Mediterranean. Visit the small seaside town of Bonassola, wedged between the mountains and the sea, before making your way to Levanto and Monterosso. In Vernazza you can enjoy a refreshing limoncello or gelato upon arrival and watch the world go by. Soak up the Italian charm, sunshine, long sandy beaches, and freshly caught seafood while staying in charming accommodations along the coast. This is a trip for the senses!

What To Expect

Travel restrictions and resources, to and from any destination

This trip is perfect for those who have limited time and would like to explore the best of the lovely Italian Riviera on foot, with trains often linking the walks together. This walking tour is self-guided and graded moderate with an average of 6 to 11 km of walking each day along rugged coastal paths and trails. Although the distances are relatively short, there are many elevation gains and losses which need to be taken into consideration. With frequent trains (and ferries) at specific intervals along the route, you will have the flexibility to complete longer or shorter walks, making this active adventure your own.

Tour Style:

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

Activity:

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

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travelers, Multi-Generational, First Timers

As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveler this tour would be suitable for is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Foodie Adventures
Coastal & Island
National Parks & Trails
Special Occasions

Inspiration:

Most Popular
Classic

Activity Level & Terrain

This trip has 3 days of walking and is graded moderate. The terrain varies from coastal paths to hilly trails making for a pleasant mixture. The walks follow steep stone staircases and paths that are cut into the cliff. A 3-Day Trek & Rail Pass is included which can be used for the Cinque Terre portion of this trip taking 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. More information on trail closures is provided in your information pack.

Daily walks average around 6 to 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 is not appropriate for unstable walkers or people suffering from vertigo.

Navigation

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

Accommodations

Included in this trip are 4 nights in hand-selected, comfortable accommodations. You will be staying in Bonassola on your first night, then in Monterosso for three nights. We have carefully selected these properties for their friendliness, charm, and location so that you can enjoy every minute of your stay in the Cinque Terre.

Additional Nights

If you wish to add any additional nights to your itinerary you can easily do so, please let us know at the time of booking.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

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

Meals

Breakfast is included each morning and consists of a European-style breakfast, including coffee, tea, yogurt, granola, cold meats, a selection of cheeses, and typically for Italians; baked pastries and cakes! In some cases, a hot dish (eggs, pancakes) will be served or offered á la carte.

Lunch, dinner, snacks, and drinks are not included in this trip but free to choose from nearby shops, restaurants, bakeries, and supermarkets. 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

4 Nights in charming hotels
4 Breakfasts
Luggage Transfer
3-Day Cinque Terre Card & Train Pass
Detailed Information Pack
Access to the Macs Adventure Smartphone App for navigation
24/7 telephone support from our office

Excluded

Travel to Bonassola and from Monterosso
Travel Insurance (required)
Lunch & Dinner, Snacks & Drinks
Tourist taxes (if it needs to be paid locally)
Personal Equipment

Extras

Additional nights before, during or after the walk
Private Transfers

When To Go

This tour is available to start anytime between April and October. As the Cinque Terre is a very popular destination, and the fishing villages are very small, 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 heat.

Getting to the Start

The most convenient way to get to Bonassola is by flying into Genoa and then taking a train via Levanto to Bonassola (1H45M). It is also possible to fly into Pisa or Florence, then travel by train via La Spezia (both roughly 2H50M). These airports receive flights from both national and international destinations and are well-connected with public buses and/or taxis to the central train stations.

Visit Trenitalia for more information, timetables, and prices. You can either purchase the tickets at the ticket office, or you can do so online beforehand. Private transfers can be requested, please let us know if you would like to add this to your booking (additional costs apply).

Getting from the End

Your short break finishes in Monterosso which has its own central train station with trains back to Genoa via Levanto, or back to Pisa or Florence via La Spezia. A private transfer can be included in this trip instead, please let us know at the time of booking if you wish to add this option (additional costs apply). Visit Trenitalia for more information, timetables, and prices. You can either purchase the tickets at the ticket office, or you can do so online beforehand.

Luggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation in Bonassola to your accommodation in Monterosso as per your itinerary. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20 kg 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.

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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Bonassola and overnight Day 2 Walk to Monterosso 7 miles / 11 km

Leaving Bonassola, 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

Accommodations

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 3 Train to Manarola, walk to Riomaggiore and train back to Monterosso 1.3 miles / 2 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).

Today's walk uses the original path linking the villages of Manarola and Riomaggiore. Although the villages are quite close together there is a mountain separating them. The Via Beccara path crosses this mountain and affords sea views over the dramatic Cinque Terre coastline. Take a train back from Riomaggiore 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.

Please note that the alternative Via dell'Amore pass from Manarola and Corniglia is currently closed and therefore not possible to use. It's scheduled to re-open in 2024.

Overnight Monterosso

Accommodations

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 4 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

Accommodations

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 5 Onward Travel

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