- Hike the most scenic trails of the Italian Riviera with a small group of like-minded adventurers
- Explore the famously beautiful fishing villages that form the Cinque Terre
- Hike to the picturesque harbour village of Portofino
- Join an extra-special wine tasting at a celebrated taverna
- Enjoy a warm Italian welcome at our hotel near the beach in Moneglia
Walks of the Cinque Terre and Portofino
Walking & Trekking
Activity Level
Moderate
See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you
Comfort Level
Classic
Hike the evocative trails of the Italian Riviera, exploring one of the most scenic coastlines in Europe
Base yourself on the Italian Riviera, between the ravine-side fishing villages of the Cinque Terre and dreamy Portofino, for an inspiring hiking adventure. Guided by an expert tour leader, we explore some of the most iconic trails in Europe, walking through hills, woodland and coastal villages. Bring your camera and an appetite, the food here is as exquisite as the scenery, plus we visit a celebrated taverna for an extra-special wine tasting.
Highlights
Key Information
- Accommodation: 7 Classic nights (Hotel Piccolo)
- Five days walking; one free day
- Group normally 4 to 15, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
- Countries visited: Italy
What's Included
- All breakfasts, two packed lunches, one dinner and one wine tasting
- All accommodation
- All transport and listed activities
- Tour leader throughout
- Group arrival and departure transfers available
What's Not Included
- Travel insurance
- Single accommodation (on request – limited availability)
- Visas or vaccinations
- Local taxes (approx. €5)
5 Days of Walking & Trekking
Pace:
Good fitness required
Terrain:
Low altitude; good paths
Day 2
13 km / 8.1 miles
Day 3
10 km / 6.2 miles
Day 4
13 km / 8.1 miles
Day 6
11 km / 6.8 miles
Day 7
8 km / 5 miles
Itinerary
Moneglia Moneglia
Fly to Pisa; transfer to Moneglia
Start at the charming seaside town of Moneglia. Beautifully located in the heart of a bay on the Mediterranean sea, the picture-postcard town is listed since 2012 on the “I Borghi Più Belli d’Italia” (Most Beautiful Villages of Italy) and has been awarded the European Blue Flag
every year since 1990, for its clear waters and the quality of the services offered.
Start Moneglia
We begin in the seaside town of Moneglia. In the heart of a bay on the Mediterranean Sea, this picture-perfect town is listed on the I Borghi Più Belli d’Italia (Most Beautiful Villages of Italy) and has won a European Blue Flag every year since 1990 for its clear waters and the quality of the services offered. There’ll be a welcome briefing at the hotel today – a good chance to get to know the group and your expert leader.
If you have extra days at hand and are willing to extend your adventure, consider booking additional nights in Pisa, Florence or Moneglia. Speak to your Sales Consultant for more information on our ‘Pre-Tour’, ‘Post-Tour’ and ‘City Extension’ packages.
Follow the coastal trail between Deiva Marina and the villages of Framura and Bonassola
We take an eight-minute train to Deiva Marina in the morning and start our walk, first climbing around 400 steps. We then take a relatively steep path, climbing up to picturesque woods of pine and strawberry trees. Our efforts are rewarded at the top of the hill with stunning panoramic views of the coastline and the promontory of Portofino.
We then take an undulating trail with beautiful views over the Ligurian Sea, which leads to the village of Framura, where we stop for lunch. After refreshments, we descend by steps, which can be tough going, particularly in the wet, almost to sea level then meander through woods until a final steep climb for magnificent sea views. We then head to the pretty village of Bonassola before taking the 15-minute train back to our hotel in Moneglia .
Take the train to Cinque Terre National Park; walk stunning paths to some of the prettiest villages in Liguria
Today we set out to visit the spectacular Cinque Terre, declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 1997 and part of the Cinque Terre National Park. The best way to explore these charming villages is on foot, and today we will walk the Sentiero Azzurro Ligure (Ligurian Blue Path), which connects the five villages.
Today we visit three of the five – Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso – and pass old mule tracks, walking through terraced vineyards and olive groves. After completing steep and rocky sections with continuous ups and downs, we are rewarded with wonderful views of the colourful villages built into the rocks facing the sea.
At the end of the walk, we catch the train back to Moneglia (30 minutes) where there will be time to relax or go for a swim before dinner. Please note that some sections of the path may be closed, so we may need to take the train between villages or change the itinerary accordingly.
Walk on the Portofino promontory and explore the world-renowned fishing village
Set out by train to Santa Margherita Ligure (50 minutes with a change in Sestri Levante), a charming coastal town, where we begin our hike to the fishing village of Portofino, which starts with a near 2.5mi (4km) continuous uphill stretch. Celebrated for its pastel-coloured houses and picturesque harbour, the town is now attracting celebrities from all over the world.
Free day to relax, take optional walks or visiting nearby Portovenere or Genova
Enjoy a well-earned break and perhaps spend your day relaxing at the beach. Or you might like to use the opportunity for some sightseeing. Genoa, the capital city of the region, is the home of Christopher Columbus and the largest aquarium in Europe. Alternatively, you could spend time in the nearby town of Portovenere – on the Bay of Poets – or use the day to explore the beautiful town of Lucca.
Transfer to Rapallo by train, take the cable car up Montallegro for fantastic views and walk down to Chiavari, afternoon wine tasting
This morning, we take a short train ride to Rapallo (50 minutes with a change in Sestri Levante) and the cable car up to the sanctuary of Montallegro (1,969ft/600m). From here, we walk through quiet woodland, catching glimpses of the Ligurian Sea en route to the seaside town of Chiavari. In the early evening, we enjoy an extra-special wine tasting at Assirto, an internationally heralded taverna in Moneglia. The experience starts with a sparkling rosé, before we enjoy a sensory journey through a trio of wines. To cap the evening, we’ll try passito, a traditional Italian sweet wine made from dried grapes.
Return to the Cinque Terre area for an alternative walk through glorious coastline and colourful villages
This morning, we head back to the Cinque Terre to walk some of the quieter, alternative trails. The exact route depends on local track conditions, but they are generally on higher ground than the classic Sentiero Azzurro, so offer even more spectacular views of the coastline and villages. The second part of the walk today will likely involve scrambling between Manarola and Rio Maggiore; if you’d prefer to skip this section, you can opt to take a boat (extra cost) instead.
Transfer to Pisa; fly to London.
End Moneglia
You’ve taken some of the most beautiful coastal walks in the world this holiday, but now’s the time for one final breakfast before starting your return journey home. Of course, if you’d like to continue the adventure, you can speak to your sales consultant about extending your stay at the hotel.
Extend Your Trip
Florence City Break Extension
Extend your adventure and discover Florence, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance.
Extend your love affair with Italy by crossing the Ponte Vecchio. Marvel at Michelangelo’s David, and climb the Duomo for sweeping views. With every cobbled corner tempting you to linger, and pit stops for carpaccio, ribollita or creamy gelato all but essential, it’s time to lean in and live your best dolce vita.
Stay for as many nights as you wish in a choice of hotels, including a boutique property within walking distance of major attractions or a luxury hotel with a rooftop terrace. Let us know your preferences and we’ll take care of all the details, including transfers.
Essential Info
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Piccolo Hotel, Corso Libero Longhi, 19, 16030 Moneglia GE
Phone: +39 0185 49374
Recommended arrival time: You’re welcome to arrive any time, though rooms are typically ready in the early afternoon and there’s a welcome briefing in the evening
Airport: Pisa (PSA)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately a 1hr 25min drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are:
Take an Exodus transfer
Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.
Make your own way
You can reach the hotel by public transport. From Pisa Airport, take the PisaMover shuttle service to Pisa Central train station – a one-way ticket, bought from the ticket machines at the shuttle departure platform, costs €6.50.
Then catch a train to Moneglia. There is no direct train, so change in La Spezia. For more info and timetables visit www.trenitalia.com. The journey will take around 2hr 15min and tickets cost between €10 and €20. From Moneglia Station, it takes about 10 minutes to walk to the hotel.
If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Catching your return flight
There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales consultant if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales consultant to arrange an alternative transfer.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Moneglia
Location end: Moneglia
Passport
Remember to check the expiration date of your passport if travelling internationally. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after the date of your scheduled return.
Piccolo Hotel, a family-run property in Moneglia
Fifty years in the making, the Piccolo Hotel is the dream come true of the Zanetti family. Elsa and Luigi were the founders, before their son Alberto joined, followed by the next generation – Elsa and Luigi’s grandchildren.
The 38-room hotel is in the centre of Moneglia, just a few minutes’ walk from the train station and a Blue Flag-rated sandy beach. When it’s time to relax, there’s the free-to-use Atlantis Wellness centre, which has a heated swimming pool with a waterfall and water jets, plus two underwater loungers.
Elsewhere, there’s a solarium terrace with a hydromassage tub plus a sea-view restaurant serving Ligurian cuisine.
Worth knowing
- A limited number of double rooms for sole use are available for a supplement, please enquire for details.
Reviews
Add your own reviewLots of steps but the views at the top are worth it!
The Cinque Terre and Portofino are famous places so you have to accept they are busy but this trip still gives you lots of time out of the towns walking through the forests and mountain paths. There are a lot of Steps but the views are worth it. I think its a perfect level 3 it pushes you at times (especially in the hot summer) but there is a nice balance of easier sections where you can just soak in the views and take lots of photos!
The Hotel in Moneglia is a great location right across from the Beach, you can get up early for a swim!
The Hotel also has a Jacuzzi and a Wellness Swimming pool – the spa jets are a great way to ease the muscles!
The Resturants in the area are of a really good standard and the guides are great at recommendations!
Most Inspirational Moment
Probably the feeling at the top of every climb! We had 34 degree heat so after every big push it was a moment of celebration and relief - to then just look around you and soak in the views it made it all worth it!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Nico was great fun, very knowledgeable about the area, gave us good alternative walks or options to consider due to the heat. Had great recommendations for the free day and was spot on with his restaurant reservations. He loves a Map! He also wont let you have only one Gelato flavour, 3 per tub is the ideal!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take atleast 1 walking pole and good ankle support. Take a good sized water bottle there are lots of refill places. Consider extending your stay, there are so many little towns along the coast and its so easy to use the trains! Or maybe tie in a city break - there are intercity train connections to Florence, Milan, Rome.
Cinque Terre Portofino May 31- June 7 2025
Excellent tour. Exceeded my expectations.
Most Inspirational Moment
Challenges it took to climb the mountains. I did it.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Group leader Nico was amazing. Thoughtful knowledgeable and honestly he made the trip for me. I was a solo traveller. Her was always looking out for everyone on the trip. Making sure we were all making the best memories. We included everyone. Some hikers better than others yet everyone felt included.
Advice for Potential Travellers
This is not an easy trek. Lots of climbing and downhill. Footing is tough. So my advice is to know your skill level. I hike regularly 15 km a couple times a week and found this very tough. But a loved it it was rewarding and I would do it again. Just know what you can do.
Level 3 with lots of steps all up and down, prepare your knees!
The location of the hotel was great as it was a lot quieter than surrounding villages and right by the beach. There were also many trails nearby (I would have extended my trip a couple more days in Moneglia to do more walks!).
Do expect a lot of steps, steep climbs and descents with rewarding views! The food in Liguria was amazing, great for seafood lovers!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Nico was an excellent leader! He was funny, organized, and passionate about his country. He's inspired me to come back for a 4th trip in Southern Italy.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Read the trip notes carefully and prepare well for this trip. It's a level 3, Moderate (this does not mean it's easy walking). See the fitness guides and train beforehand. Hiking shoes are fine, ankle support is better though. I used walking poles every day and enjoyed the trip a lot more. I would definitely recommend extending your trip as well in Pisa and taking the train for an afternoon/day in Lucca. Florence is also an easy train away.
Cinque Terre on the beautiful Ligurian Coast
Staying in Moneglia is a good choice as the 5 towns themselves are quite busy with tourists. Our guide Michele was great getting train tickets for short trips to different hikes. Our group was so cohesive that we all shared optional meals together.
Most Inspirational Moment
The views from high up the coast are spectacular and we enjoyed the beautiful scenes from several locations.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Michele does a great job handling all the details for transportation, lunches and dinners, and spending time with each of us to make sure we were doing well. Since I flew from the US and was not in the Exodus arranged transport, I was very glad that Michele texted me beforehand to communicate the time and place to meet. That was much appreciated.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Make sure you are fit and prepared for a lot of steps up and down the hill on our walks.
Cinque Terre
My walking review is slightly truncated because of an Achilles injury ( this was our third week of walking). Our guide Michelle was wonderful. He did a great job of shifting the schedule due to rainy weather. He provided lots of historical and cultural information along the way. He did a great job of handling the folks that were not experienced hikers. Please pay attention to the hike ratings on this trip. A 3 rating is not easy! If you are not comfortable on rocky terrain or slight exposure this is not your trip. Moneglia is a delightful base village. Very low key and not overrun with tour groups. However, even in October the 5 villages got packed, but fortunately we spent one day there. Even though I spent a couple days with my foot on ice it was an enjoyable trip.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Michelle is great. Enthusiastic and informative. He truly loves sharing his country with others.
Advice for Potential Travellers
This is a trip for strong hikers. The trails are straight up and straight down. Lots of stairs in places and some exposure with rocky sections.
The Group and Locations merit a 5* but the rating was let down by the Hotel Piccolo and the Guide
The walks were stunning, challenging in part , and gave a good flavour of Liguria and its dramatic coastline. We had a brilliant Group whom all got on well and enjoyed each others company and support whilst sharing the experience of the walks and the restaurants we used in the evenings, the optional trip to Lucca was outstanding as was the coastal ferry from Porto Venere which should become a fixture on the Exodus itinerary
Most Inspirational Moment
Looking down on the villages of the Cinque Terre from on high and sharing those experiences with the excellent Group
Thoughts on Group Leader
The Guide was out of his depth, somewhat disorganised and relied heavily on Google maps and could have communicated in a more expansive way, he didn't tell the story of the walks, the views, the historic buildings unless questioned and then was not able to convey any detail, in his favour he did find some decent restaurants for our evening meals
Advice for Potential Travellers
Single travellers paying a supplement are not valued by Hotel Piccolo and are consigned to cell like dark airless cupboard rooms, when challenged via Exodus HQ a room change to suitable accommodation was provided (for which the efforts of Simone and Munashe are much appreciated), but in general Exodus customers were treated like second class citizens in the hotel and far from valued - try to secure an upgraded room or you will be very disappointed and your holiday experience tainted
Incredible Trip!
Had an amazing time in Italy!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Michele
Brilliant adventure
This was my third Italian walking trip with Exodus, and certainly matched the previous walks in the excellence of our guide (Michela), hotel accommodation and experience of this fascinating part of Italy. We had two bad days of torrential rain, which forced a re-think on how we would spend our free day. On the second day, the scheduled walk would have been dangerous so a different option was chosen. The walks we were able to do in the good weather were challenging, but definately worth the effort for the glorious views down to the cinque terra towns. There were options for those that found the going a bit tough, and preferred a more relaxing pace but most chose to follow our guide.
Most Inspirational Moment
The view of Portofino from the hills above - this was a particularly lovely walk with stunning views. Also, absolutely loved the wine tasting evening.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent - she was considerate and totally involved in making sure we stayed safe and happy. She organised evening options for those that wanted to participate, educated us on the sights and features of Liguria, and encouraged everyone learned a little bit of basic Italian! Could not recommend her more highly.
Advice for Potential Travellers
This is a great trip but just be aware that the Cinque Terra towns are very small and can be very crowded. The restaurants are very accommodating but also very busy. Also take walking poles for the steeper walks, unless you are super fit. They are particularly useful if you have even slightly dodgy knees.
Nice trip, but more challenging than most Lv 3
Overall, this is a good trip with a good guide. It is well organized and has plenty of opportunities for people who are less fit to skip a section or entire day. That said, it became very apparently some people did have to skip a day. While the trip notes mentioned steep and loose descents, I would say about 6 out of 15 people on my trip were not prepared for what was ahead of them. More emphasis should be put on the difficulty of the terrain on the main tour page to make it a little more obvious. Maybe also a picture or two of the steps in the trip notes. Having completed several Exodus trips, this felt more like a level 4 trip, not level 3. I think this may be why the wrong audience was attracted, which took away from my personal experience. An example of this was seeing a 70+ year old member of the group refusing to use two hiking poles and ending up falling down a cliff. Luckily this person was okay, but this is a situation we should not have been in.
Most Inspirational Moment
The dinner at Assirto. While this was a recommended, not included dinner, it was a great suggestion. It was a very memorable experience with great food.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Michele was good guide and very knowledgeable of the area and culture. He did have a big challenging of leading a group with an extreme difference in abilities. We also had a group which was largely fractured in regards to going to dinners together. Given all those challenges, he still did a good job. I would be happy to do another tour with him again, and probably will.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be aware you will have to scramble and have steep declined. The trip may also much much more challenging than you expect due to the temperature and humidity in Italy. The trip will cost more than you expect as the trip notes are grossly out of date in regards to expenses. Everything cost roughly 40% more than expected, which I think caused some of the travelers in my group to not have a great experience.
Long walks and fabulous views
At the end of September we were a bit surprised that the villages were still quite crowded, but really pretty, especially when viewed from the hills above. The walks were quite long, and steep in places, but everyone managed them; there are options to cut some of the walks short by taking the train back, but nobody wanted to miss out on the whole experience. The trip notes warn that some of the long downhill sections are not ideal for vulnerable knees, and I would suggest taking this advice seriously. Our guide, Michele, was efficient and great company. The Picollo hotel in Moneglia is a very good choice; family run, friendly, with good food, a pool, sun deck and close to the beach. The trains we used were excellent.
Most Inspirational Moment
Portofino; an easier walk and a lovely little town, although prone to crowding when cruise liners are in! Spending time with such a lovely group.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Great fun, good organiser and communicator, and careful to support walkers of varying abilities / paces along the way.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If we went again we would try later in the year in the hope that it is less busy. The walks are rated moderate, but there are a couple of steep scrambles; most of our group were fit hikers - a few "training" walks would benefit travelers less used to long hilly walks.
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