Cinque Terre and Portofino- Italy Walking Holiday
In this corner of the Liguria region, at the end of the Riviera di Levante and about sixty miles east of Genoa, several generations of farmers have shaped the mountain by building stone walls to retain
the land and create terraces for cultivation. This now offers a remarkably preserved landscape, with
deep traditions and strong local economy. “Cinque Terre” means five little villages, nestled on cliffs or along deep inaccessible coves, facing the sea with colourful houses. Reaching the peninsulas of Portofino and Sestri Levante with their "posh ports" where millionaires stay on their yachts overlooking green water coves. On the terrace of a trattoria, facing the sun sliding into the Mediterranean, take time to enjoy focaccia and a glass of white wine after a day of walking and discovery.
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Grade:
- Comfort: Cat A: 4*, Cat B:3*, Cat C: B&B
- Start/Finish: Sestri Levante
- Distance: 30 miles (48.5 km)
- Duration: 7 days
- Availability: Everyday from April to October
- Altitude: ↑7841 ft (2390 m) ↓8727 ft (2660 m)
Day 1 : Sestri Levante
Individual arrival in Sestri Levante. Check into the hotel and then explore this tiny serene village.
Dinner and overnight in Sestri Levante.
Day 2: Cinque Terre Park, Monterosso, Vernazza and Corniglia
Today’s walktakes you into the heart of the Cinque Terre National Park. Starting from Monterosso, walk amongst the olive groves and with views to the sea to Vernazza. This important and historical village being the only natural harbor of the Cinque Terre. From here the path continues gently towards today’s destination, Corniglia.
Return by train. Overnight in Sestri Levante.
4 hours, 5.5 miles (9 km) ↑2100 ft (640 m) ↓2100 ft (640 m)
Day 3 : Palmaria Island and Portovenere
Today starts with a train ride to La Spezia then by boat (vaporetto) to Palmaria Island, rich in Mediterranean vegetation, for a circular tour. Depending on the time of year you can see Cistus in bloom, rare orchids or admire the colourful trees. Along the way there are spectacular views of the sea and coastline. In the first afternoon its back on the boat to Portovenere to visit the Medieval town, the Churches of San Pietro and San Lorenzo and the Byron Grotto. Return to La Spezia by boat or bus and then to Sestri Levante by train.
Dinner and overnight in Sestri Levante.
Day 4 : Cinque Terre Park, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore
A train ride to Corniglia then, a walk from the train station into the village. Corniglia is one of the most beautiful and well preserved villages in the park. Continue walking on a scenic path overlooking the sea to Volastra and then down to Manarola. Take the train to Riomaggiore and after exploring the village and a swim, return to Sestri Levante by train.
Overnight in Sestri Levante.
Day 5: Riomaggiore to Portovenere
Transfer to Riomaggiore and walk, along a scenic path to Portovenere. Along the route, take time to admire the sea views. At Portovenere return by ferry to Monterosso or by bus to La Spezia and then by train.
Dinner and overnight in Sestri Levante.
Day 6: Portofino to San Fruttuoso
After breakfast transfer by train and then bus to Ruta di Camogli where the trek starts. Cross Portofino Park via Pietre Strette and San Fruttuoso. The path is surrounded by Holm oaks, mixed wood and Mediterranean brush. The burg of San Fruttuoso is really nice and characterized by the ancient Abbey from the VIII century. After visiting the Abbey, hop on the ferry to Portofino, a fishing village famous for its picturesque harbour and colourfully painted buildings that line the shore. A short stop here then continue to Santa Margherita Ligure. From here its a train to Sestri Levante.
Overnight in Sestri Levante.
Day 7: after breakfast end of the tour and individual departure.
Single centre tour based in Sestri Levante
6 night - 7 days
Some Dinners
Stay in the village of Sestri Levante, linked to Cinque Terre by coastal train
Terrain characteristics: Paths and easy roads, hilly area. We recommend doing a little trekking
practice or a little training.
Average duration of the daily stages: between 3 and 5,5 hours walking
Positive difference in height: between 200 and 650 m per day
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Departures: everyday from April to the end of October
Number of participants: minimum 2
Walks along the coast but also in the countryside covered with vineyards and olive groves
Boat trip to the Palmaria island, unique in this area
Portofino
Getting to Italy:
By Rail – There are several public transport options to get to Sestri Levante. These websites will help plan your route.
By Bus – Probaly the easiest way is to take a bus to Genoa then the train to Sestri Levante. The websites below will help plan your route.
By Car – Italy can be reached by car via ferry or Eurotunnel and well-maintained motorways. These websites will help plan your route.
Also there is Motorrail from Germany www.urlaubs-express.de.
By Air – The closest airport to Sestri Levante is Genoa. There are many daily flights from various airports. Next continue with a regional (a 70 minute trip) or intercity train (a 31 minute trip) to Sestri Levante.
These websites will help plan your route.
For more information on getting to Italy please visit the Italian Tourism website.
- Breakfast
- half board on day 1, 3 and 5
- App with tour map and itinerary (with points of interest, services and GPS position). The App provides GPS tracks that can also be used offline.
- Service Hotline
- Journey to & from Italy,
- Meals except where stated
- Drinks
- Trains and ferry tickets
- Tourist taxes where applicable
- Entries and extras
- Paper road book is available with supplement of 15€ (to be booked in advance).
- Everything not mentioned in Included
Day 1 : Sestri Levante
Individual arrival in Sestri Levante. Check into the hotel and then explore this tiny serene village.
Dinner and overnight in Sestri Levante.
Day 2: Cinque Terre Park, Monterosso, Vernazza and Corniglia
Today’s walktakes you into the heart of the Cinque Terre National Park. Starting from Monterosso, walk amongst the olive groves and with views to the sea to Vernazza. This important and historical village being the only natural harbor of the Cinque Terre. From here the path continues gently towards today’s destination, Corniglia.
Return by train. Overnight in Sestri Levante.
4 hours, 5.5 miles (9 km) ↑2100 ft (640 m) ↓2100 ft (640 m)
Day 3 : Palmaria Island and Portovenere
Today starts with a train ride to La Spezia then by boat (vaporetto) to Palmaria Island, rich in Mediterranean vegetation, for a circular tour. Depending on the time of year you can see Cistus in bloom, rare orchids or admire the colourful trees. Along the way there are spectacular views of the sea and coastline. In the first afternoon its back on the boat to Portovenere to visit the Medieval town, the Churches of San Pietro and San Lorenzo and the Byron Grotto. Return to La Spezia by boat or bus and then to Sestri Levante by train.
Dinner and overnight in Sestri Levante.
Day 4 : Cinque Terre Park, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore
A train ride to Corniglia then, a walk from the train station into the village. Corniglia is one of the most beautiful and well preserved villages in the park. Continue walking on a scenic path overlooking the sea to Volastra and then down to Manarola. Take the train to Riomaggiore and after exploring the village and a swim, return to Sestri Levante by train.
Overnight in Sestri Levante.
Day 5: Riomaggiore to Portovenere
Transfer to Riomaggiore and walk, along a scenic path to Portovenere. Along the route, take time to admire the sea views. At Portovenere return by ferry to Monterosso or by bus to La Spezia and then by train.
Dinner and overnight in Sestri Levante.
Day 6: Portofino to San Fruttuoso
After breakfast transfer by train and then bus to Ruta di Camogli where the trek starts. Cross Portofino Park via Pietre Strette and San Fruttuoso. The path is surrounded by Holm oaks, mixed wood and Mediterranean brush. The burg of San Fruttuoso is really nice and characterized by the ancient Abbey from the VIII century. After visiting the Abbey, hop on the ferry to Portofino, a fishing village famous for its picturesque harbour and colourfully painted buildings that line the shore. A short stop here then continue to Santa Margherita Ligure. From here its a train to Sestri Levante.
Overnight in Sestri Levante.
Day 7: after breakfast end of the tour and individual departure.
Single centre tour based in Sestri Levante
6 night - 7 days
Some Dinners
Stay in the village of Sestri Levante, linked to Cinque Terre by coastal train
Terrain characteristics: Paths and easy roads, hilly area. We recommend doing a little trekking
practice or a little training.
Average duration of the daily stages: between 3 and 5,5 hours walking
Positive difference in height: between 200 and 650 m per day
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Departures: everyday from April to the end of October
Number of participants: minimum 2
Walks along the coast but also in the countryside covered with vineyards and olive groves
Boat trip to the Palmaria island, unique in this area
Portofino
Getting to Italy:
By Rail – There are several public transport options to get to Sestri Levante. These websites will help plan your route.
By Bus – Probaly the easiest way is to take a bus to Genoa then the train to Sestri Levante. The websites below will help plan your route.
By Car – Italy can be reached by car via ferry or Eurotunnel and well-maintained motorways. These websites will help plan your route.
Also there is Motorrail from Germany www.urlaubs-express.de.
By Air – The closest airport to Sestri Levante is Genoa. There are many daily flights from various airports. Next continue with a regional (a 70 minute trip) or intercity train (a 31 minute trip) to Sestri Levante.
These websites will help plan your route.
For more information on getting to Italy please visit the Italian Tourism website.
- Breakfast
- half board on day 1, 3 and 5
- App with tour map and itinerary (with points of interest, services and GPS position). The App provides GPS tracks that can also be used offline.
- Service Hotline
- Journey to & from Italy,
- Meals except where stated
- Drinks
- Trains and ferry tickets
- Tourist taxes where applicable
- Entries and extras
- Paper road book is available with supplement of 15€ (to be booked in advance).
- Everything not mentioned in Included