Walks of the Cinque Terre and Portofino

Name: Walks of the Cinque Terre and Portofino
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.8 (44 reviews)

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8 Days from

USD 2,179

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Walking & Trekking

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group, Private Group Adventures

Activity :

Walking & Trekking

Activity Levels :

3 out of 7 - Moderate

Group Size :

4 - 15

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

TEH

Discover the best of the Italian Riviera

On the most beautiful coastline in Italy, between the Cinque Terre and bay of Portofino, our base in the seaside town of Moneglia is a real treat. On inspirational walks through hills, woodland and coastal villages, we discover why these areas have earned names such as the Gulf of the Poets. Many of the most iconic trails in Italy are found in the Liguria region and this trip makes a great introduction to the country with ample opportunities for walking, relaxing and sampling delicious food. Better yet, we'll also visit Assirto, one of the finest tavernas in Italy, for an extra-special wine tasting.

Highlights

Take coastal and mountain paths through olive groves and vineyards
Explore the picturesque and colourful villages of Liguria and the Cinque Terre
Walk from village to village, through forests and spectacular terraced landscapes overlooking the sea
Experience an extra-special wine tasting at the internationally lauded taverna, Assirto

Key Information

Seven nights at the three-star Hotel Piccolo
Five days walking; one free day
Low altitude throughout
Reasonable fitness required

Countries visited: Italy

What's Included

All breakfasts, two packed lunches, one dinner and one wine tasting
All accommodation (see accommodation section)
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request – limited availability)
Visas or vaccinations
Local taxes (approximately €5 per person, see Trip Notes)

5 Days of Walking & Trekking

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

Responsible Travel

Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company.

On this trip, we spend the week in a family run Hotel Piccolo that employs local staff and uses local produce wherever possible. This ensures that we benefit the local community with providing job opportunities and a chance to generate income.

As a walking holiday, we actively encourage clients to interact with the locals, visit local cafes and bars, support local produce and craft and to experience what life is really like in the seaside region of Liguria.

Water is especially important and whilst we must stay hydrated, it is also vital to not cause too much waste from single use plastic bottles. Tap water in Italy is generally safe to drink hence, we strongly encourage clients to bring their own reusable water bottles to refill throughout the trip.

In March 2019, Exodus Travels launched the Exodus Travels Foundation where we support initiatives all around the world. But it cannot exist without travellers who care. Get involved or learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus here…

Itinerary

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.

Meals Included: Dinner

We take a short train to Deiva Marina in the morning and start our walk through holm oak forests and maquis shrubland. The walk begins with a relatively steep path, climbing up to picturesque woods of pine and strawberry trees. Our efforts will be rewarded at the top of the hill with stunning panoramic views of the coastline and the promontory of Portofino.

We will then take an undulating trail that offers beautiful views over the Ligurian Sea and leads to the village of Framura, where we stop for lunch. After refreshments, we descend by steps almost to sea level then meander through woods until a final steep climb for magnificent views of the sea. We then head to the pretty village of Bonassola before taking the train back to our hotel in Moneglia.

Ascent: 2,513ft (766m); descent: 2,625ft (800m)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

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 some steep and rocky sections, we will be 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 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.

Ascent: 2,185ft (666m); descent: 2,333ft (711m)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Set out by train to Santa Margherita Ligure, a charming coastal town, where we will begin our hike to the fishing village of Portofino. Celebrated for its pastel-coloured houses and picturesque harbour, the town is now attracting celebrities from all over the world.

Ascent: 1,939ft (591m); descent: 1,969ft (600m)

Meals Included: Breakfast

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.

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning, we take a short train ride to Rapallo 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.

Ascent: 591ft (180m); descent: 2,543ft (775m)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning we head back to the Cinque Terre to walk some of the quieter, alternative trails. The exact path you will walk will depend 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.

Meals Included: Breakfast

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.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Visa

Vaccination

There are no required vaccinations for this trip.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts, two packed lunches, one dinner and one wine tasting are included.

Liguria is well-known for its delicious cuisine and classic regional dishes include pasta with pesto or walnut sauce, focaccia bread and, of course, plenty of seafood.

With an abundance of fresh local produce and plenty of restaurants to try in Moneglia, food is a highlight of the trip. Vegetarians are well-catered for in Italy, but please inform us when booking.

Please note, neither the hotel nor the restaurants in Moneglia are able to cater for people with severe celiac disease.

Weather

May departures can expect warm days, although rain is always possible. Nights may be rather cool. Early June is similar, with the days becoming progressively hotter and the evenings much warmer. Late June to August departures should expect very warm weather with temperatures over 30C (86F). Late September and October are cooler and can be wetter, however visibility is better. We strongly recommend a fleece-lined jacket or warm sweater in May, September and October.

Is this trip for you?

Activity Level 3 (Moderate). The walks on this trip are graded moderate. Some walks will get your pulse racing, but we also have plenty of time to rest, admire the views, and, on many days, enjoy swim breaks.

Over the course of the week, the terrain and path type will vary between paved tracks; uneven, rocky and steep steps; and forest trails. Some areas may be rocky underfoot with narrow, overgrown or exposed paths. While most walks are manageable for those with a good level of fitness, the walks involve some steep climbs and descents on slightly loose terrain and some have sections on narrow pathways alongside some sheer drops (not recommended for severe vertigo sufferers).

All walks take between four and six hours including lunch stops and require a moderate to high level of fitness as some parts of the walks can be particularly strenuous. On a couple of days, there are sections with a considerable number of steps (more than 500), which make the walks unsuitable for those with knee problems.

Public transport can be subject to delays and some waiting at train stations should be expected. Please be aware that path openings are subject to weather and safety conditions – this may affect the itinerary. Please note that neither the hotel nor the restaurants in Moneglia are able to cater for people with severe coeliac disease.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Peter Bowe

Reviewed October 2022

Steep walks, good food, great guide!

This was a great holiday walking in lovely countryside by the coast and visiting the picturesque villages of the Cinque Terre and Portofino. The walks themselves were usually very steep and would not suit everyone, a good level of fitness is required although you don’t need to be a mountaineer. The hotel in Moneglia is on the beach and we were able to swim after the walk every day. I was away during the first week of October, I didn’t see any rain and the average daily temperature was 24-25C but the previous week had been wet so no guarantees!

Most Inspirational Moment

Completing the steepest walk up and down to Riomaggiore

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michela was an excellent leader, nothing was too much trouble for her and her organisational skills were exemplary. She was also very knowledgeable about the area we were in and happily fielded a multitude of questions. It's fair to say that she was responsible for making the holiday as enjoyable as it was.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try and get some hill walking in at home before you arrive in Italy.

Suggestions

I have previously walked the Amalfi Coast with Exodus and this trip was a definite step up in terms of being more physically demanding.

Jane Wyndham

Reviewed September 2022

Stunning Scenery

This was a thoroughly enjoyable trip. The location in Moneglia is superb. The beach right opposite is beautiful. The breakfasts were great in the Piccolo too. We loved the spectacular scenery of the Cinque Terre and Portofino although they are very busy locations. The best views are from above as you walk down towards them. We made wonderful new friends and enjoyed sharing meals and drinks with them. 100% recommendation.

Most Inspirational Moment

Making great friends and sharing the amazing views and experiences.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mikaela was a superb leader and had a very friendly and accommodating manner. She had great sense of humour, was fun and made everything seem possible and enjoyable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking boots not shoes are advisable and walking poles as some sections are steep or slippery.

Suggestions

Ask to book a balcony room in the Piccolo Hotel as rooms are quite dark and the views of the beach are perfect.

Liz Herrick

Reviewed September 2022

Fabulous walks and scenery

From the first day the scenery was just breathtaking. Walking can be a little challenging at times depending on fitness. Piccolo Hotel Moneglia very good. Lots of restaurants to eat out in of an evening. The villages are just as you imagine however can get very crowded. The group of people we walked with were great fun and a good mix of ages. A fabulous holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the villages from the paths. They are just stunning. Wine tasting in Moneglia with Lucca who was so knowledgeable and inspirational. We also had a fantastic meal at the restaurant.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michela our group leader was lovely. So understated. Very efficient, knowledgeable about the area and managing the group in a gentle manner. A pleasure to walk with her.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Fitness does help with this walk as lots of ascents and descents. So get some training in before you go. However there are alternatives to some of the climbs. We had a room with a balcony over looking the sea. There is a supplement however it was worth it as these rooms are larger. The sandy beach at Moneglia is lovely and the swimming was excellent I am told.

Suggestions

If you love Italy and walking a super trip all round.

Kim Lambden

Reviewed June 2022

Walks of the Cinque Terre

This was my first trip not only with Exodus but on any walking group holiday. It could not have been better! The promise was to enjoy varied walks in stunning locations, and that was what was delivered. Key to the success of this holiday were the efforts of our guide Michela who worked tirelessly on all aspects of the of the trip and ensured the whole group had the very best of times.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I would highly recommend Michela, she was an excellent guide.

Bill Seals

Reviewed June 2022

Cinque Terre

Trip was great, sites and scenery was amazing. One of the best places in Italy to visit. Our guide Michela was brilliant, well organised efficient and loads of fun as well. Nothing was to much trouble for her.

Most Inspirational Moment

Couldn’t pick one moment they were all really great

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michela was very very good. The best group leader of any trip so far and I’ve done quite a few.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Learn some Italian (with Dave)

Suggestions

Had a great time. Highly recommended.

Julie Parker

Reviewed June 2022

Fantastic walking

Feeling a bit trepidatious, as it was our first trip abroad since covid, we needn’t have worried. This was a fabulous week walking in the most beautiful Ligurian countryside. Michela put us at ease straight away, along with the rest of a very, friendly group. Moneglia was an excellent base, away from the very busy villages along the Cinque Terre, but offering an excellent train service to the start of our walks. It was great to come back and swim at the end of the day. It also had a choice of fabulous restaurants and focaccerias.

Most Inspirational Moment

All of the walks were so beautiful and different. My favourite walks were between the Cinque Terre villages, particularly looking down at Vernazza from the "Blue Path" and the stunning walk between Cornelia and Manarola, walking through the terraced vineyards and beautiful wild flowers. Each village had its own character, but my favourite was Corniglia, smaller and quieter than the others. The wine tasting was also an amazing experience. Luca was so passionate and knowledgeable and the restaurant was small and atmospheric. We went back the following night for an amazing meal.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We have travelled many times with Exodus and have to say Michela was an absolutely, brilliant guide. She was so well organised and everything ran so efficiently. We appreciated the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to achieve this. Her expert knowledge and love of the area was obvious. She was gentle and caring, constantly checking that all members of the group were okay. She gave us various options of boat or train at points in the walk, if we felt the walking was too much at any point. This was greatly appreciated by some members of the group. At the end of our week with her, she felt like a good friend.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes carefully, as they tell you exactly what the walks are like, then you will enjoy your trip and be rewarded by spectacular walks and scenery. Good footwear and poles help navigate the steep ascents and descents.

Suggestions

This is a fabulous holiday in a beautiful part of Italy, so great to be travelling abroad again. Also loved the gelato and sorbets, particularly pistachio!

David Austin

Reviewed June 2022

Excellent trip

Excellent holiday. Michela was a very good guide, the best I’ve had from Exodus. I learned a lot of Italian! The walks are a suitable length and great scenery. On my free day I walked to Sestri Levante from the hotel in Moneglia, this 10 mile walk was much more remote than the group ones with amazing views. I would recommend the holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

All walks were great

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michela Wicks was a fantastic leader. Organised, friendly, helpful and fun to be with. The whole trip was seamless.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don’t get the pork in the included dinner at the hotel, it was really bad! Walking to Sestri Levante on the day off was a really good walk in terms of views and paths.

Wendy Carol

Reviewed June 2022

Fantastic vacation!!

We had a great time hiking the Ligurian hills and the Cinque Terre towns. Michela was a great guide, she immediately became an integral part of our group with her gentle, yet thoughtful leadership. We had wonderful views, beautifully-maintained trails and a lot of laughs. Some of us raced ahead to explore all that nature had to offer while others meandered slowly taking pictures of everything. The trail options made our trip accessible to everyone in our group with all our varied walking and hiking abilities. We enjoyed exploring new towns everyday and trying our language skills with everyone we met.

Most Inspirational Moment

When the view of Portofino opened up before us on the hike from Santa Margherita.

Thoughts on Group Leader

She was a great leader. She had a gentle, yet commanding way of keeping us together and taking care of our issues on the trail. She was a great friend and mentor, explaining about the area, the people, the customs and the way of life.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring hiking boots, poles, a rain jacket, water bottles and make sure you are in good hiking shape before you leave.

Suggestions

We are planning to use Exodus for our next trip to the Amalfi Coast.

Paula Richards

Reviewed October 2020

Fantastic... everything :)

An exhilarating week of walking in beautiful Liguria complemented by great food and drink.

Most Inspirational Moment

The amazing view looking down on Corniglia against a lively turquoise sea on the last day - absolutely stunning. The wine tasting was also fabulous - interesting wines in a very atmospheric restaurant.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michela was brilliant: she was informative, really adaptable given the challenges of coronavirus and the occasionally stormy weather and made some great suggestions for where we could eat out in the evening.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Italy’s a great place to go despite coronavirus - it felt very safe and clean. Be prepared for lots of mask wearing.

Jerry Dawson

Reviewed September 2020

Fabulous break - and far less tourists than usual due to COVID travel restrictions

I travelled solo on this trip departing on 19 Sept 2020, having booked it quite late as Italy was one of the few venues Brits could travel to without any COVID-related quarantine requirements either end. It turned out to be a very special time to travel as the usual hordes of tourists in one of Italy’s most tourists areas were absent (although still enough people to give it an “atmosphere “!). The trip includes two full days walking between the stunning villages of the Cinqueterra and time to see each village. Portofino is beautiful and Sestri Levante is gorgeous too. There was a storm towards the end of the week so on the last day we were able to experience the Cinqueterra villages with huge waves crashing into the little harbours – an awesome sight – and the bright blue sea made a fantastic back drop for photos.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many! - Approaching Vernazza from above on the “blue path” from Corniglia. - The walk through the terraces and vineyards between Corniglia and Manarola with the incredible blue sea below (there had been a storm the previous night) - The very informative wine tasting in Moneglia - The Bay of Silence in Sestri Levante (on the free day) - Eating spaghetti seafood on the harbour fronts in Portofino and Vernazza - Watching the huge waves crash against the harbour walls in the Cinqueterra villages - an unusual sight.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michaela has led his trip multiple times and we were lucky to have her expert knowledge! Very caring, very organised, and always joined us for dinner in the evenings.

Advice for Potential Travellers

- Make sure you go to The Bay of Silence in Sestri Levante at some stage during the week. - Splash out on trying some local wines other than the carafes of house red and white. - Upgrade your room at the Hotel Piccolo to get a balcony and a sea view.

Suggestions

I was very impressed that this trip ran so well despite the COVID restrictions. In fact the lack of tourists made it very enjoyable. Be prepared to wear your face mask in all the towns though.

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Covid-19 refund commitment

You will get a refund if you have to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.

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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.

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