The best Cinque Terre Walks - Short break - CIN2A

Day 1
Arrival in Levanto. After settling in your hotel there is time for a short visit to the town centre and maybe a swim to wash off the tiredness of the journey.
In case you arrive early you can already make the short walk along the coast to Monterosso al Mare. The first part of the walk leads up towards Punta Mesco, the most notable promontory in the region. Just short of the point you can make a small detour to the ruins of an old 11th century hermitage and the nearby ‘semaforo’, from where you will enjoy marvellous views of the rugged coastline. Then you follow a fairly steep path down into Monterosso, a colourful village, with blue, red & yellow houses that cluster behind the beachfront. There is then time to explore the town before taking the local train back to Levanto.
Hotel in Levanto
Total (optional) walking time: around 3,5 hours + sightseeing time (4-5 hours with extra option).

Day 2
From Levanto you walk in western direction today. The first part of the walk goes along the beach, then the path goes up into the first hills and down to the little seaside village of Bonassola. Then it goes through the seaside hills towards the small ‘village’ of Framura, an aggregation of scattered hamlets on the hillside. From Costa, the highest hamlet, an almost level path contours the hills, with nice views over the sea. A steep descend brings you down to the next resort, Deiva Marina (with the option to continue to Moneglia or even Sestri Levante). This walk along the coast brings you through several charming little villages, where you have the time to drink a coffee or just relax. Also do you have the possibility to have lunch there. From all the villages on the way you can take the train back to Levanto, in case you want to shorten the walk.
Hotel in Levanto

Day 3
You first take the train to Riomaggiore, the most southerly of the five villages, where you can already leave your luggage in the hotel. Then you start the most ‘classical’ of all walks in the Cinque Terre: the coastal path linking all five villages together. First you walk a short stretch along the famous ‘Sentiero del’Amore’ (‘Lover’s Walk’). Then you head for Manarola, an attractive little village with steep multi-coloured houses overlooking a rocky port. From here you hike up to the rural hamlet of Volastra, before descending back to Corniglia, perched on a ridge overlooking the sea, in the midst of stunning terraced vineyards, with awesome views over the whole area. Take your time to look around in Corniglia and then continue through terraced vineyards and the occasional citrus grove. As you approach Vernazza, dominated by its old fortress, you enjoy some of the best views in the region. You contour around the hillsides following a narrow track that leads us up and down, before a fairly steep descent brings us into the village itself. In Vernazza, arguably the prettiest of all the villages, there is time to ascend the castle tower for a stunning view of the port with its brightly painted boats. There are numerous cafés and bars where you can enjoy refreshment before taking the train back to your hotel. As an extra option you can also continue you walk along the coast to Monterosso, approaching this beautiful little town from the other end.
Hotel in Riomaggiore
Total walking time: around 3,5 hours + sightseeing time (5,5 hours with extra option).

Day 4
Today you walk in eastern direction. From Riomaggiore, you commence your walk to Campiglia and Portovenere. You hike up a long flight of stairs to the Santuario della Madonna di Montenero. Continuing uphill you begin contouring along the coastal cliffs, through terraced vineyards, enjoying wonderful views of the coastline framed by clear blue waters. You are now on the ‘Sentiero Rosso’, the ridge-top traverse that goes from one end of the Cinque Terre to the other. You pass through the little hamlet of Campiglia where you can stop for some refreshment. Walking down into the pine forest, the track narrows as you continue towards Portovenere with further spectacular views. Arriving at the 16th century castle above the village, you may be able to see the distant peaks of the Alpi Apuane before a long staircase takes us into the heart of the village. There is time to visit the charming village and Punta San Pietro, before returning to Riomaggiore by boat.
Hotel in Riomaggiore
Total walking time: around 4,5 hours + sightseeing time (5,5 hours with extra option).

Day 5
End of the tour.

N.B. Due to several problems along the paths of the Cinque Terre, the day walks may be subject to change. We monitor the state of the paths carefully and keep our route info up-to-date, to make sure you do the best possible walks.

For more info have a look at our dedicated page: Cinque Terre footpaths – Actual situation

ACCOMMODATION & MEALS

All nights are spent in beautiful, characteristic family-run hotels (generally 3/4-star; 5-star on request). All rooms have en-suite facilities.

Accommodation is on B&B basis, in all accommodations. So no evening meals are included, and you are free to choose from the wide choice of restaurants in the area. Your accommodation holder can give you good tips. On some occasions you can also choose to eat at the premises of the hotel.

No picnic lunches are included in the tour price, but these can be prepared for you by the accommodation holders, or materials for picnics can be purchased in the villages where you stay. On some occasions you have the option to have your lunch in a restaurant along the way.

Nights 1 & 2: These are spent at Levanto, a nice old medieval city; you’ll stay in a welcoming and comfortable hotel, centrally located at walking distance from all the main monuments of the medieval town centre.

Nights 3 & 4: These three nights are spent in the lively little village of Riomaggiore, the most eastern of the five villages, with colourful houses and a charming little harbour.

UPGRADE/CHANGES IN ACCOMODATION:
It is possible to do this tour based in only one accomodation. also in more luxurious 4-star hotels. Accommodation in Monterosso – the biggest village of the Cinque Terre – is also available, either to substitute the days in Levanto, or those in Riomaggiore.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY

Moderately easy (2-3): Mostly easy walks, on well maintained paths, but with nonetheless some walking uphill, sometimes on paths with rough surfaces. On some days extensions or shortcuts are possible.

Fitness: High standard of fitness is not necessary but clients should be able to walk for up to 5 hours a day in hot sun on dusty or stony tracks.

FOOT PATHS & WAYMARKING

Most paths are relatively well maintained, but during the season some paths can get overgrown (we are in continuous contact with local authorities to keep the paths clean – please help us by providing you feedback on the quality of the paths).

Waymarking: A large part of the route is waymarked (mainly by the parks); elsewhere it is necessary to follow the route descriptions provided together with the maps. With these it is always possible to find your route

INCLUSIONS :

• 2 nights in Levanto – BB
• 2 nights in Riomaggiore – BB
• Extensive route notes, with description of the route & tourist information
• Maps at 1 : 25.000 scale
• 24/24 h local assistance

NOT INCLUDED:

• Departure taxes
• Visas
• Travel Insurance
• Drinks and meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• Optional additional tours or activities
• Tips
• Items of personal nature

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE

Arrival: The tour starts in LEVENTO. There are frequent trains from all directions. There is the possibility to park a car here (about € 12,00 /day).

Departure: The tour ends after breakfast on day 9 in Camogli. The return is most easily made by train. Back to Levanto is 30 minutes by train.

N.B. Please note that there is no (cheap) parking space anywhere on the Cinque Terre except for Levanto!

EXTRA NIGHTS

It is possible to include extra nights in any of the accommodations en route. Extra walking or sightseeing options will be provided !!!

At the beginning or the end of the tour there is also an opportunity to visit Genova and/or Pisa / Florence, or spend some time on the beach, somewhere in Liguria. The tour can easily be extended with a few days in Pisa or Florence. Several good accommodations are available. Details and prices on request.

SHORTER & LONGER VERSIONS

Extra days can be booked in any of the accommodations ‘en route’. Extra walking options will be provided!!!

A longer, 6- or 7-day version of this ‘Best of Cinque Terre‘ walking tour is also available. See also our other Cinque Terre tours !

The very frequent trains, which link all the villages, make it easy to modify the programme. It gives you all the freedom to do the walks in your own rhythm, or alternatively, do some sightseeing.

Therefore it is also possible to opt for only one accommodation on the Cinque Terre, instead of two (Levanto & Riomaggiore). This one accommodation can either be Levanto, Monterosso or Riomaggiore.

It is possible to include some extra nights in your tour, in any of the accommodations ‘en route’.
Extra walking or sightseeing options will be provided !!!

The very frequent trains, which link all the villages, make it easy to modify the programme. It gives you all the freedom to do the walks in your own rhythm, or alternatively, do some sightseeing.

Therefore it is also possible to opt for only one accommodation on the Cinque Terre, instead of two (Levanto & Riomaggiore). This one accommodation can either be Levanto, Monterosso or Riomaggiore.

At the beginning or the end of the tour there is also an opportunity to visit Genova and/or Pisa / Florence, or spend some time on the beach, somewhere in Liguria. The tour can easily be extended with a few days in Pisa or Florence. Several good accommodations are available. Details & prices on request.

SHORTER & LONGER VERSIONS

A longer, 9 -day version of this tour is also available, including two days on the Portofino Peninsula.

Also longer 8-, 10-, 11- and 12-day versions are available. Prices on request.

Also shorter 3- and 4-day versions are available. Prices on request.

See also our other Cinque Terre tours !