Cinque Terre, Liguria (short version)
€680
per person
Join us on a walking tour to the wonderful ‘flower-Riviera’ of Italy, five famously charming fishing villages along the Ligurian coast. As car access is limited, those hidden gems perched on the rocky coast are best accessible by train or on foot. The Cinque Terre is a National Park and inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997. Following the panoramic coastal trail, you will feast your eyes upon views of wonderful vineyards, wildflowers, and inland of chestnut and pine forests. Try the famous local cuisine and enjoy a glass of local wine at a nice restaurant overlooking the blue Mediterranean sea. A true piece of Eden with serpentine paths around hidden beaches and beautiful cliffs, offering a variety of sights to suit every taste.
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Destination
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Duration5 Days I Level: 2 (of 5)
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What is includedAccommodation in good 3* or family run inns incl. breakfast (en-suite rooms); Luggage transport from Monterosso to Bonassola; Cinque Terre Card Park + Train 2-days; Detailed roadbook and maps in English (incl. access to GPS tracks through navigation app); Emergency hotline;
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What is not includedDrinks and other meals, public transportation, transfers from and to the airport, entrance fees, possible CITY TAX to be paid in cash on the spot (it varies depending on the city and on the hotel’s category: appr. 6-8 EUR/pp/night)
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Best periodMarch, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
FROM OUR GALLERY
Independent hiking tour in Cinque Terre, Italy
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Day 1: Arrival in Monterosso
Welcome to Moterosso. We encourage you to visit the historic center and paper yourselves with some local treats to prepare you for this unforgettable self-guided walking tour. We always advise customers on arrival to visit the tourist office in Monterosso to get informed there which paths are open and which paths are closed and also about weather forecast. Landslides or other trail interruptions/closures may happen anytime and the tourist office will have the most up to date information about them. *Easiest arrivals via Genoa and Pisa airports. Florence airport also has good connections. Nearly all trains from Genoa go directly to Monterosso, without needs to change trains (the trip takes approximately 1,30–2hrs). From Pisa Airport you have to change at Pisa Centrale and again at La Spezia for a local train that stops in Monterosso and Bonassola (appr. 2,15hrs).
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Day 2: Riomaggiore to Portovenere (15km, 6hrs, +900m/- 900m + shorter options!)
Walk the path which inspired the great Romantic writers Shelley and Byron. You start today’s independent walking route in Riomaggiore (a short train ride away from Monterosso) and walk a forest path climbing to the picturesque coast revealing a breathtaking panorama of the Gulf of La Spezia and nearby islands. Finally, descend to the charming Portovenere. The overnight is in Monterosso. You can reduce the mileage by taking a bus from Camiglia village down to La Spezia.
Alternative walk: Monterosso–Vernazza–Corniglia. Train back to Monterosso (7km; 3hrs; +480m/-405m): A transfer by taxi will take you to Soviore and you will walk back to Monterosso via Vernazza. We recommend you take a taxi to Soviore Monastery to avoid a very steep section at the beginning of your walking day. You can opt to walk the old cobblestone path to Savoire where you can stop to explore the complex. From there you follow an asphalt road which will lead you to a secluded path down to the Madonna di Reggio. Continue on a stone path to Vernazza from where you will take the coastal trail back to Monterosso.
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Day 3: Monterosso to Bonassola via Levanto (9 to 14km, 3 to 5hrs, +130 to+620m/-455 to -940m)
You bid Monterosso farewell as you advance toward the peaceful resort of Levanto. Located in the heart of a captivating valley ringed by lush green hills and unspoiled Mediterranean nature, it is a favorite location for painters. Board a bus to Colle di Gritta and there choose among a shorter trail to get to Levanto. Soak into the essence of the gem of North-western Italy, the region of Liguria. If you wish to skip the second part of the walk along the hills, you can take the train in Levanto or walk on the cycle path towards Bonassola. The overnight is in Bonassola (you can call in advance the accommodation in Bonassola for a free shuttle from the train station (between 08:00 and 18:00); and vice versa on your departure day!).
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Day 4. Bonassola to Deiva Marina (6 to 13km, 3 to 5hrs, +350 to +660m/-280 to 645m)
Today’s self-guided hiking route will take you to the hills of the East Riviera, between Bonassola, Framura and Deiva Marina. Enjoy breathtaking panoramas over the northern Ligurian coast as you walk a scenic coastal path. You will have time to dip into the local culture and cuisine in the lovely villages of Bonassola and Deiva Marina. Return to Bonassola.
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Day 5. Arrivederci Cinque Terre!
The trip ends after breakfast (the hotel in Bonassola can give you a free lift to the train station if arranged in advance). *Pisa, Genoa, Florence and Milan airports are easily reachable by train from Bonassola.
TOUR LOCATION
Price
680 Euro per person in twin/dbl room
Single room & Solo Traveler supplement
Single room supplement: 210 Euro
Solo Traveler supplement (incl. sgl. room supplement): 320 Euro
Tips
Daily departures from the beginning of March till the end of October. Clients have to collect the Cinque Terre Card from the tourist office in Monterosso and it is always better to get informed there which paths are open and which paths are closed! Avoid traveling during July and the first half of August - too hot for coastal hiking. The nearest airports to the Cinque Terre are in Genoa and Pisa. Florence airport also has good connections. Nearly all trains from Genoa go directly to Monterosso, without having to change trains (approximately 1.5 – 2 hours). From Pisa airport, you have to change at Pisa Centrale, and again at La Spezia for a local train that stops at Monterosso (approximately 2.15 hours). Arrivals by car - please allow appr. 12-15 Euro/day for parking card (two private parking areas available in Monterosso).
The walks are along well marked footpaths and mule tracks. It can be tiring walking along the stone steps of diverse sizes. These walks, though not very long, are moderate to demanding because of the steep hills. Several walks can be shortened. The park wardens try to keep all of the paths open throughout the year, however heavy rains and summer fires can cause temporary closure of certain stretches, so be sure to check with the park office.
Accommodation
Samples of the inns we would normally book (subject to availability), or similar category: Days 1/2: Monterosso - Hotel Albergo Marina, Hotel Punta Mesco, Hotel Amici; Days 3/4: Bonassola - Hotel Villa Belvedere, Albergo delle Rose, Hotel Feluca. If the hotels in Bonassola are all full (which happens often with last minute bookings!), we can propose to clients a stay in Levanto instead (subject to availability). The accommodations we use are small, comfortable 3* hotels with a friendly, family run atmosphere, each serving a delicious continental breakfast. All rooms have private bathrooms.
Send an enquiry about this tour
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