Cinque Terre Short Break Self Guided Walking Tour

Cinque Terre Short Break

5 Days & 4 Nights 4.2 Read 21 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. Walk from Manarola to Corniglia and enjoy the endless array of viewpoints. Then continue to Vernazza where 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 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 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. 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 route 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.

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 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

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.

Equipment

Our pre-departure information pack has detailed advice and a kit list on what to take with you to Italy. This includes warm and cold weather gear, hiking boots, and lots of other useful bits and bobs.

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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

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.

Locanda Il Maestrale

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.

Hotel Pasquale

Hotel Pasquale is a small, family-run hotel on the main street of Monterosso al Mare, in the very heart of the ancient village. It is in front of the fishermen's beach and offers 15 rooms with fabulous views of the Cinque Terre coastline. Admire the characteristic sheer cliffs overhanging the crystal-clear blue waters of the Ligurian sea.

The hotel's location allows easy access to all the areas of the town, including the walking trails.

Day 3 Train to Manarola, walk to Corniglia 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 speciality.

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

Locanda Il Maestrale

Hotel Pasquale

The hotel's location allows easy access to all the areas of the town, including the walking trails.