Cinque Terre & Portofino Hiking Experience

Arrive in Portovenere at your leisure (private transfers available on request) and check in to your hotel.

For two centuries, the village of Portovenere and the archipelago of the Palmaria island (Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto) have welcomed travelers, artists, and writers from all over the world. They have narrated, depicted, and immortalized the extraordinary beauty and harmony of the Gulf of Poets. It's no wonder that today, they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Portovenere, an ancient seaport, stretches out over the sea. The spectacular cliffs of Mount Muzzerone protect it, along with the Doria Castle and its fortifications, and the "Palazzata," an uninterrupted row of narrow, colored tower-houses built vertically and locked side-by-side.

In the afternoon, meet your local English-speaking guide for a trip briefing and orientation. Your guide will accompany you for the duration of the trip.

In the morning, meet your guide and take a boat transfer to the island of Palmaria.
In front of Portovenere is Palmaria Island, a true hiker's paradise characterized by exceptional biodiversity and inspiring views. There are some natural caves (such as the Grotta dei Colombi and the Grotta Azzurra). And then there are the nineteenth-century fortifications used to protect the great military Arsenal of La Spezia that are now tourist facilities.
In addition to Palmaria, the Regional Natural Park and the Marine Protected Area include two other small islands: the island of Tino, formerly the site of a monastery and today a military area, and Tinetto, little more than a rock where the monks had built small religious structures, and today sits completely abandoned.

Today you'll hike a loop around the main island and enjoy panoramic views of the nearby islands (Tino and Tinetto), the Gulf of Poets, and the Cinque Terre coast. The path flanks some of the remaining fortifications, placed in defense of the strategic port of La Spezia. Along the beautiful trail, you'll reach "Capo dell'Isola" (Cape Island), with splendid views of Tino Island right across. Admire the evocative amphitheater that surrounds you: the remains of a portoro marble quarry (a precious variety of black marble), now colonized by herring gulls.
Continue along the West coast of Palmaria, probably the most spectacular part of the hike, with impressive cliffs on the sea, until you reach the starting point and the end of your hike.
(3 hiking, 7km/4,2 miles, 300m / 985’ ascent and descent)
Note: there are no water points nor cafes along the hike. Bring enough water with you, along with sun cream, sunglasses, and snacks.

After lunch, enjoy a boat tour of La Spezia's Oyster Farm. This unique and exclusive boat excursion includes sailing around the Islands of Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto. A special visit to the oyster farm in La Spezia will show you how oyster farming works at sea. A delicious oyster-based aperitif will be served on board the boat, accompanied by a glass of chilled white wine from Cinque Terre and traditional focaccia bread.
Return to your hotel and get ready for dinner included in a local restaurant.

A spectacular 15km/ 9 mile-long trail connects Portovenere to Riomaggiore. It winds through the ridges of Cinque Terre and offers astonishing views of the cliffs overlooking the sea, immersed in the scents of the Mediterranean scrub.

From Piazza Bastreri in Portovenere, take the trail running alongside the majestic Doria Castle, leading you to Monte Muzzerone featuring a white limestone wall 310 m /1,016' high and is a popular spot for rock climbing. This is the first and most significant climb to overcome today. Still, you'll be rewarded with magnificent views of the islands of Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto, the rugged and jagged Cinque Terre landscape, and the Promontory of Punta Mesco. Make sure you have your camera ready!
Descend to Riomaggiore and take the train to Manarola. Your hotel is here, and your luggage awaits you (5-6 hours hiking, 15km/ 9 miles, 650m/2,132' ascent and descent).
Dinner is included in a local restaurant.

Today, head out into Cinque Terre National Park to walk the high trail that connects Monterosso to Corniglia. En route, you'll enjoy spectacular views of the National Park and Unesco World Heritage villages of the Cinque Terre.

In the morning, take the boat or the train from Manarola to Monterosso, the largest village of the Cinque Terre. The footpath, marked in white and red, leaves from the eastern part of the old town of Monterosso, along the small pedestrian road leading to Hotel Porto Roca. The path begins with a long staircase crossing vineyards and citrus orchards. It offers superb views of the bay and the town of Vernazza in the distance.
The vegetation is varied, and you will find evergreen oaks, arboreal heather, broom, and juniper. The footpath passes on an antique stone bridge. The descent soon begins, among olive trees and cultivated fields, as it enters into the picturesque town of Vernazza, with its colorful houses and Santa Margherita D'Antiochia Church.

The footpath leaves from Vernazza and, in a few minutes, reaches the second tower of the fortifications. The ascent continues gradually until the viewpoint Punta Palma (208m / 682'). With a succession of ups and downs among cultivated fields, olive groves, vineyards, and flowery meadows, you'll soon reach the town of Corniglia, the smallest of the five villages. From Corniglia, take the train to Manarola and walk back to your hotel.
(4-5 hours hiking, 11km/6,6 miles, 550m/1,640' ascent and descent)
Dinner is included in a local restaurant.

In the morning, take a private transfer to Camogli.
The Portofino cape sits over a peninsula Camogli, Rapallo, Santa Margherita, and Portofino. Scattered settlements among the hills, villas and small farms appear among olive terraces, citrus groves, churches, and sanctuaries.
The cape is rich in wildlife, including boar and migrant and resident bird species - with peregrine falcons along the cliffs.
The little maritime village of Camogli, also called the "City of a Thousand White Sails," belongs to the regional natural park of Portofino, and it is worth a visit before setting off on the hike. Stroll through the narrow alleys and the seafront promenade to admire the colorful houses, the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, and the Castle of Dragonara.

The hike to Portofino is a classic, unmissable route that provides a cultural immersion into the history and traditions of the fishing villages. The trail starts in Camogli, climbs up to the Sanctuary of San Rocco, descends to the town of Cappelletta, and into Portofino, with spectacular views of Baia del Paraggi.
The gravel path winds its way through the Mediterranean scrub on several undulating sections, long flat stretches and eventually leading to a steep descent into Portofino to your next hotel. Your luggage awaits at the hotel.
(4-5 hours hiking, 7km / 4,2 miles, 550m / 1’804’ ascent and 700m/ 2,275’ descent)
Dinner is included in a local restaurant.

Today you'll discover San Fruttuoso, nested in a beautiful bay accessible only from the sea or by foot. Its main attraction is the Benedictine monastery: San Fruttuoso Abbey. The monastery is a stunning stone building with a small dome. The burial vaults of the aristocratic Doria family of Genoa lie here. Parts of the building are medieval and some Romanesque. Inside the church is a replica of the 1954 bronze statue of Jesus in the Abyss. The original stands in the bay to commemorate divers lost at sea.

From Portofino, head up the street that is directly in front of the port. The street soon goes up many steps. Shortly after, you'll walk past tiny terraces with olive trees, and then the trees give way to groves. From here on, most of the walk is flat and not very difficult.
The last section of the hike to San Fruttuoso is down a series of steep switchbacks on a steep trail, but you'll soon reap the rewards with your first glimpse of the San Fruttuoso abbey and the emerald green bay.
The surroundings of San Fruttuoso are worth exploring. The Doria family donated the main monastery building and the sixteenth-century watchtower a short walk away to FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano).

On arrival at San Fruttuoso, you will have time to explore the area, relax on the beach and have lunch before boarding the boat back to Portofino.
(2-3 hours hiking, 4km/2,4 miles, 45m / 1,476’ ascent and descent).
Dinner is included in a local restaurant.

Breakfast and departure on your own (private transfer available on request).