Self-Guided Walk Portofino & the Cinque Terre

The first night of your holiday is spent in Camogli. As soon as you get settled in to your accommodation, you can step outside and breathe in the fresh air of the Mediterranean Sea. In the afternoon you may like to visit the historic centre and prepare for your walking adventure ahead.

Public trains to Campogla train station are easy to organise from both Genoa Airport (GOA) and Naples Airport (NAP). Alternatively, taxis can be easily organised at the airport on your arrival. Stay: Albergo La Camogliese (Comfortable)

Your walk today from Camogli to Portofino is on one of the main paths of the Portofino Regional Park. The first section is quite steep and takes you to the village of San Rocco. If you'd prefer a more relaxed start to your first day then it is possible to take a bus to San Rocco. You continue to San Fruttuoso where you can see the beautiful seafront abbey. It's a restored Medieval stronghold which was originally built for the Benedictines of Monte Cassino. From San Fruttuoso, you can choose to walk or take a ferry boat (about 20 minutes crossing) to the beautiful harbour town of Portofino. Once here you can enjoy a walk (one kilometre) to Il Faro (the light house), located at the extreme point of the promontory, to admire the wonderful view. From Portofino you can take either the train or a ferry boat back to Camogli.

You can expect today's 13 kilometre walk to take approximately five-and-a-half hours. If you opt to start the walk in San Rocco, the walking distance will be seven kilometres and it will take approximately three-and-a-half hours. Stay: Albergo La Camogliese (Comfortable) (B)

Today starts with a short train ride to Bonassola and you can drop your main luggage at your hotel before starting the walk through the hills of the East Riviera to Framura and Deiva Marina. (Our hotels are all either very near the train stations or the hotel will provide a transfer to/from the station.) The first part of this walk to Framura is extremely scenic with fantastic panoramic views over the northern Ligurian coast. If you wish to shorten the walk then you can end it here in the idyllic town of Framura and then return to Bonassola by train. If you want to take a longer walk then you can continue to Deiva Marina before returning to Bonassola by train. Deiva Marina gives you a taste of the old Riviera with its timeless elegance. The town is set between two cliffs and has a long beach which is a popular swimming spot.

You can expect today's 12.5 kilometre walk to take approximately five hours. If you opt to finish the walk in Framura, the walking distance will be five-and-a-half kilometres and it will take approximately two-and-a-half hours. Stay: Pensione Moderna (Simple) (B)

The first part of today's walk runs along an old railway recently transformed into a relatively flat cycle and walking path. You walk through tunnels and over bridges with great views out to sea and of the surrounding cliffs until you arrive in the pleasant town of Levanto. You climb up to the ridge top to enjoy the spectacular view over the mountains around the gulf. You continue walking from here to Punta Mesco and then down towards the Cinque Terre village of Monterosso al Mare where you spend the night.

You can expect today's 10 kilometre walk to take approximately four-and-a-half hours. Stay: Hotel Marina (Comfortable) (B)

A short included taxi transfer takes you to Soviore Monastery where you can stop for a visit before starting the walk back to Monterosso via Vernazza. From the monastery you walk on asphalt road for one-and-a-half kilometres and then take a nice panoramic path that slightly descends to the Madonna di Reggio. From here you continue walking along a stone path down to Vernazza where you take the panoramic coastal path back to Monterosso al Mare. To shorten today's walk, you can stop in Vernazza and then take a train back to Monterosso.

You can expect today's 13 kilometre walk to take approximately six hours. Stay: Hotel Marina (Comfortable) (B)

You have the possibility of two alternative walks today from Monterosso. The first is a circular walk via Colla di Gritta. You head inland past the 'Chiesa dei Cappucini' to the Colla di Gritta then continue over the mountain ridge through stretches of lush forests, passing over Monte Molinelli, Monte Rossini, Montenegro and Colla dei Bagari until you reach Punta Mesco. You return to Monterosso by descending a series of old stone footpaths. The second option takes you further south along the Cinque Terre coast and visits two more of the famed five villages after which the Cinque Terre takes its name. You take the train from Monterosso to the village of Corniglia where the walk starts. You take the path towards Volastra and continue all the way to Riomaggiore. After time to explore you can take a train back to Monterosso.

The Monterosso loop walk via Colla di Gritta is 9 kilometres and will take you approximately four to five hours. The Corniglia-Volastra-Riomaggiore walk is 11 kilometres and will take approximately four hours. Stay: Hotel Marina (Comfortable) (B)

A short train ride takes you to Riomaggiore from where you walk to the edge of the mountain chain that borders the Cinque Terre area. From Colle del Telegrafo, you'll follow the coast's edge till you reach Portovenere, passing through the village of Campiglia along the way. Today's walk is spectacular, thanks to the great views over the Cinque Terre coastline and the impressive cliffs of Portovenere at the end. From Portovenere you can choose to take a bus to La Spezia and a train from here to Monterosso or, weather conditions allowing, take a ferry directly back to Monterosso. The walk can also be shortened today if you fancy a more relaxing final day.

You can expect today's 13 kilometre walk to take approximately for to five hours. Stay: Hotel Marina (Comfortable) (B)

After breakfast, the organised part of your holiday comes to an end.

Public transport and taxis from Monterosso are available to Genoa Airport (GOA) and Pisa Airport (PSA). (B)