dossier
Cinque Terre and Ligurian Riviera Walk
CINQUE TERRE & LIGURIAN RIVIERA | DAY BY DAY
Hotel Canali ****, Rapallo, Days 1+2
An elegant 1920’s Liberty style villa, located in a quiet residential area just 300m from the beach and minutes from Rapallo’s historic town center. With 27 rooms each pleasantly furnished in its original “belle Epoque” style and enriched with modern amenities including LCD TV, mini-bar and air-conditioning. Hotel facilities also include a warm and welcoming lounge area with piano, large panoramic terrace for enjoying breakfast in fine weather, a relaxing garden equipped with heated Jacuzzi and a fitness area with gym and Turkish bath.
Further details on the hotel website.
Saturday Arrive in Rapallo
We meet you at Genoa airport and transfer you (45mins) to the coastal town of Rapallo.
Sunday Ruta di Camogli to Portofino 12km/8mi/6hr
A short bus ride takes you to Ruta di Camogli, the start of today’s walk. You walk along ancient forest trails through the lush Natural Park of Monte Portofino before descending to the secluded bay of San Fruttuoso, home to its C11 Benedictine abbey. End your day in chic Portofino, the Riviera’s most exclusive resort, before a ferry takes you back to Rapallo.
Monday Rapallo to Chiavari 13km/8mi/4hr
A breathtaking cable car ride takes you up to the impressive C16 sanctuary of Montallegro, where you can enjoy magnificent vistas down to Rapallo. From here you follow a ridge path to Chiavari, accompanied by 360º views across the jagged Ligurian Apennines.
Monte Rosa Hotel ***, Chiavari, Day 3
Established in 1909, this hotel is an ongoing family concern that is owned by the Bacigalupo family. Thanks to their strong sense of commitment they have transformed this once small restaurant 'trattoria' into the present day hotel that it is today - well known throughout the Gulf of Tigullio for its gastronomy of local Genoese specialities.
The property is situated in the heart of Chiavari, nestled amongst the ancient porticoed arcades and cobbled streets of the town centre and minutes from the long sunny promenades that run alongside the beach. Hotel Monte Rosa has 61 bedrooms and 3 suites/family rooms, all recently refurbished with modern, comfortable furniture.
Further details on the hotel website.
Tuesday Chiavari to Levanto (By train)
A short train journey (25mins) takes you to palm-fringed Levanto, a town of old-world charm and known to have the best beach on the Riviera. We suggest stopping en route in Sestri Levante, an ancient merchant and maritime centre, packed with pastel-coloured fisherman’s houses and endowed with a lovely curving peninsula and two sweeping bays.
Hotel Navionale ***, Levano, Days 4+5
This hotel has a very particular charm of its own, mainly due to the warmth and friendliness of the Cinollo family, who run it. The Hotel is located in the heart of the town, just 100m from Levanto’s picturesque beaches and footsteps from the town’s shops, restaurants and bars. The hotel has a comfortable lounge area for enjoying a pre-dinner aperitivo and a panoramic terrace for reading a book. Rooms are comfortable and recently renovated, with subtle traces of the hotel’s rich, 120 year history. The 39 rooms each offer satellite TV, telephone, mini-bar, hairdryer, en–suite bathroom, air conditioning and a safe. In fine weather breakfast is served outside in the shady flower garden surrounded by jasmine, gardenias, hortensias and fuchias and sits under two towering palm trees. Breakfast usually consists of local Ligurian focaccia bread as well as homemade cakes.
Further details on the hotel website.
Wednesday At Levanto 14km/9mi/5hr
A circular route from the hotel ascends on mule tracks and woodland trails into the terraced hillsides that form the backdrop to the Ligurian coastline. You steadily work your way up to a ridge before meandering along the crest with spectacular views plunging all the way down to the sea. You finally descend through tiny hamlets, maybe stopping for an ice cream in Montale on the way down!
Thursday Levanto to Monterosso 9km/6mi/3.5hr
A classical coastal route across sea-facing terraces and into the woodland and maquis on the steep bluffs of the rugged promontary of Punta Mesco, this is a good spot for a picnic lunch. From the headland you have wonderful views of the entire coastline before a fairly steep path takes you down to Monterosso, a colourful village, with blue, red and yellow houses that cluster behind the beachfront. This is the first of five villages along the Cinque Terre.
Degli Amici ***, Monterosso, Days 6+7+8
This hotel is ideally situated in the old fishing quarter of Monterosso, in an extremely peaceful area surrounded by vineyards and olive trees and just 150m from the sea. From the top floor you can reach the wonderful terraced rooftop garden, which is filled with lemon trees and offers extended panoramic sea views. All bedrooms are en suite, with direct-dial phone, satellite TV, safe, hairdryer and air conditioning. The hotel’s restaurant offers an inviting menu of both traditional and fish dishes and also includes a tasting buffet of salads and vegetables.
Further details on the hotel website.
Friday At Monterosso 4km/2mi/2hr
A 5-minute train ride takes you to Vernazza – the second village and only natural port of the Cinque Terre. With its typical tower-shaped houses and architecturally elaborate buildings decorated with portals and porticos, a reminder of the prosperity the village once enjoyed under Genoese domination. From here the narrow footpath ascends through cultivated vineyards and olive groves to gain spectacular views as far as Corsica on a clear day, before a steep descent takes you down to Monterosso.
Saturday Riomaggiore to Vernazza/Monterosso 7.5km/5mi/3.5hr
A 15-min train ride to the last village of the Cinque Terre - Riomaggiore, the start of today’s walk. You set off on the most famous path of all the Via dell’Amore that leads you right in to the pretty marina of Manarola. From here your route takes you via narrow herb-scented paths to Corniglia, a village perched high on the promontory and a great lunch spot. Finally you’ll follow a series of lovely bridges to Vernazza. A chilled wine by the port perhaps before popping back on the train to Monterosso.
Sunday Riomaggiore to Portovenere 14.5km/9mi/6hr
Your route continues south today to the charming fishing port of Portovenere. Set in a beautiful sweeping bay (great swimming), and once the haunt of Byron and Shelley, it boasts an impressive 16C castle and several medieval churches.
Royal Hotel Sporting Potrovenere ****, Portovenere, Days 9+10
The sea-front Hotel is situated in a quiet area overlooking the marvelous scenery of the Poets' Gulf with all the ingredients to ensure an unforgettable vacation.
It has fully-equipped rooms, a panoramic restaurant, a sea -ater swimming pool, tennis, garden and covered garage. It is the ideal location for relax and good food
Further details on the hotel website.
Monday The Island of Palmaria 4.5km/3mi/2.5hr
A small water taxi takes you to the nearby island of Palmaria, now a nature reserve. Here you follow a circular path around the island where you’re rewarded with spectacular views of the Gulf of Poets and nearby islands. After a picnic you head back to Portovenere for a relaxed afternoon.
Tuesday Leave Portovenere
We take you to Pisa airport for your flight home.
WALKING DETAILS
The walking is mainly on mule tracks, stone steps and narrow coastal paths, with fairly steep ascents and long descents to sea level. Vertigo sufferers and walkers with knee problems may have difficulty with certain sections. Walkers should be fit and sure footed. Walking boots are essential and walking poles are recommended. Note: This region can get a lot of rain over the winter which can result in paths being blocked/closed in early season. Should this happen, rail tickets/transfers/alternative walks will be offered.
For extra nights we recommend Portovenere or Pisa.