Cinque Terre Portofino to Porto Venere Trek

You’ll arrive by train in Santa Margherita Liguria and stay at the Hotel Jolanda, a lovely 3-star accommodation. Upon check-in, you’ll receive an arrival package with all relevant vouchers for hotels and boat rides, a hiking map, train timetables, and a roadbook with descriptions. Train tickets are not included and will need to be purchased separately.

Your second day will begin with a lovely train ride to Camogli. From there you’ll take a boat to San Fruttuoso where you’ll begin your hike. It’s a shorter journey today but still filled with beautiful sights as you wind your way along the trail to Portofino. Once you arrive in Portofino, you’ll catch another boat ride back to Santa Margherita.

The journey begins again with your choice of a train or bus ride to Rapallo. From there you can choose to climb up the scenic footpaths to the sanctuary Madonna di Montallegro or choose the famous cable car railway instead. From the sanctuary you’ll hike to Chiavari with stunning views of the Mediterranean on one side and the awesome peaks of the Apennine climbing away on the other. Hiking time will vary depending on if you choose to ride the cable car. From Chiavari, you’ll enjoy a scenic train ride to Moneglia where you’ll find your next beautiful accommodation.

You’ll ride the train from Moneglia to Bonassola where you’ll begin your hiking journey back toward Moneglia. This day is made up of three separate parts, you can hike them all, or just pick your favorites! First, you’ll journey from Bonassola across the stunning vista of Salto Della Lepre on your way to Framura. This will offer the most panoramic views of the day. Later you’ll hike through the little villages and quaint hamlets of Framura heading toward Deiva Marina, and if you’re still up for more, you can hike from Deiva Marina to Moneglia. You’ll finish the day back in the Hotel Villa Argentina.

Board the train to Levanto in the morning and enjoy more Italian countryside on your way. From Levanto, you’ll begin your self-guided hike to Monterosso. Wind down the little-used footpaths until you pass the Punta Mesco where you’ll experience the jaw-dropping grandeur of the entire Gulf of the Cinque Terre spread out before you. Once you reach Monterosso, you’ll check-in at the Hotel Margherita for your next 3 nights. In the afternoon, once you’re all checked in, you’ll partake in a wine tasting of local wines from the winemakers of the Cinque Terre. This tasting will showcase the unique wines and approach to winemaking that has developed in the relative isolation of the Cinque Terre. You’ll discover a new generation of Cinque Terre winemakers and what’s up and coming in local wines.

This is the longest day of your hiking adventure. You’ll get your chance to explore many lesser-known areas of the Cinque Terre and go off the beaten track. From Monterosso you can take an old pilgrims’ route to the sanctuary at Soviora. Journey on from Soviore to the sanctuary Reggio perched high above Vernazza and revel in the stunning views. You’ll catch the main footpath from Vernazza to Corniglia and then trek through Volastra and the majesty of the ancient vineyards on your way to Manarola. The hike can be divided up in many different ways, and you can opt to take the trains instead. When you’re finished with your trek, catch a train back home to Monterosso.

This is your final hiking day. It begins with an early train ride to Riomaggiore. From there you’ll hike along more scenic byways to Porto Venere. Take your time and soak up the sights, smells, and sounds of the Mediterranean and the charming villages nestled here amongst the cliffs of the Cinque Terre. When you’ve finished in Porto Venere, you’ll catch a boat ride back to Monterosso.

As all good things do, your self-guided adventure hike has come to an end. You’ll check out after breakfast and begin your journey to the next adventure. Good luck!