Cinque Terre & Levanto - the best walks (centre-based) - CIN7
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Through the extensive footpath network of the area you walk from village to village, between forest and vineyards, through a spectacular terraced landscape overlooking the sea. You have also the time to visit the historic towns of Levanto, Portovenere and of course the five charming villages which make up the ‘Cinque Terre’, little gems of colourful houses in a green landscape.
The ‘Cinque Terre’ gets its name from the five picturesque villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. The area, now a major National Park, is a unique part of Italy. For over a thousand years people have lived in this dramatic landscape, slowly altering its features and cultivating the steep hillsides that lead down to rocky shores. An extensive network of ancient mule tracks – today used as footpaths- take you through an extraordinary landscape of terraces, built by hand with stones and earth. But the Region of Liguria has more to offer: the nearby small towns of Portovenere, and the wonderful island just in front of it, at the entrance of the ‘Gulf of Poets’ and the lively Levanto, a charming medieval town with a broad beach.
Please note: this is a moderately easy tour which is suitable for those who have some experience with walking and a good general physical condition. Most of the walks are on good paths, some of them just recently restored by the local authorities. Part of the paths is waymarked. Elsewhere it is necessary to follow the route notes provided together with the maps.
Average walking times: approx from 5 to 6 hours each day.
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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.
Hotel ***/**** – Levanto
Total walking time: around 1 h. + sightseeing time
Day 2
The first day walk takes you 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. This is a good spot to stop for a picnic lunch. 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. For those who want there is also the option to walk back from here, following a more inland forested path, which over the ridge brings us back behind the castle of Levanto.
Hotel ***/**** – Levanto
Total walking distance: 9,5 km. Approx. walking time: 3,5 h. + sightseeing time (4-5 h. with extra option).
Day 3
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 ***/**** – Levanto
Total walking distance: 16 km. Approx. walking time: 6 h.
Day 4
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 walk, part of which is the famous ‘Sentiero del’Amore’ (‘Lover’s Walk’). First you go to Manarola, an attractive little village with steep multi-coloured houses overlooking a rocky port. From there you head up the steps to the charming hamlet of Volastra, from where you walk on to Corniglia, perched on a ridge overlooking the sea. You continue through terraced vineyards and the occasional citrus grove, with stunning views all around. 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.
Hotel ***/**** – Levanto
Total walking distance: 15 km. Approx. walking time: 3,5 h. + sightseeing time (5,5 h. with extra option).
Optional Extra Day
Today’s walk takes you into the inland of the Cinque Terre, to the churches of Madonna di Reggio and Madonna di Saviore. You first take the train to Vernazza and then walk along the coast to Monterosso, approaching this beautiful little town from the other end. After a coffee break you start climbing up to the sanctuary of Madonna di Saviore. Here you can eat something or relax for a while, before walking on to the next sanctuary, that of Madonna di Reggio. Then the walk continues more or less along the contour lines; through the hills you walk to the little church of San Bernardo, with beautiful views over the coast, and from there you descend down to the coast at Vernazza again. A shorter option takes you directly from Madonna di Reggio, along a number of little chapels, back down to Vernazza.
Hotel ***/**** – Levanto
Total walking distance: 9 km. Approx. walking time: 4,5 h. + sightseeing time.
Day 5
Today you walk in eastern direction. From Riomaggiore, you start 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 ***/**** – Levanto
Total walking distance: 13 km. Approx. walking time: 5,5 h. + sightseeing time.
Day 6
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: www.genius-loci.it/tour/cinque-terre-footpaths-hiking-trails
ACCOMMODATION & MEALS
All nights are spent in beautiful, characteristic family-run hotels. 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, 3, 4 & 5: 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.
UPGRADE/CHANGES IN ACCOMODATION:
It is possible to do this tour, staying 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 :
- 5 nights in Levanto – 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 and ends in LEVANTO. There are frequent trains from all directions. There is the possibility to park a car here (about € 12,00 /day).
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, 9 -day version of this 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.
Choose the tour & hotel which is right for you !
The standard accommodation is a good 3-star hotel in the heart of the old city centre. Prices for this tour start at 350 euro per person (low-season).
Upgrades can be arranged – in several stunning hotels. Genius Loci Travel, as the leading adventure travel company in Italy, can book your room in any hotel you could dream of! We do not look for luxury for the sake of luxury, so if you’re looking for the right blend of discrete luxury, excellent service, gracious hospitality and a spirit of authenticity, do not hesitate to ask us.
N.B. For this tour tailor-made guided departures (for groups of minimum 4 persons) can be planned on any date. Availability & prices on request. Prices start from 450 euro p.p., depending on the season, the hotel of your choice and number of persons in your private group. Special luxury departures can be planned on request.
| Trip season | Tour price |
Single suppl. |
Solo traveller |
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18 August - 31 August 2023 | € 605 | € 360 | - - - | 
| RESERVE YOUR PLACE |
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16 March - 21 March 2024 | € 375 | € 205 | - - - |
| RESERVE YOUR PLACE |
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22 March - 31 July 2024 | € 565 | € 335 | - - - |
| RESERVE YOUR PLACE |
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01 August - 17 August 2024 | - - - | - - - | - - - | ||
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01 September - 30 September 2024 | € 565 | € 335 | - - - |
| RESERVE YOUR PLACE |
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01 October - 31 October 2024 | € 490 | € 255 | - - - |
| RESERVE YOUR PLACE |
| You can book this tour with a minimum of 1 person. |
| There are a very limited number of available places on these dates. Immediate booking is recommended. |
 | Availability and prices on request. |
- Prices are per person and based on the season within which the first night of the tour falls.
- Prices are based on 2 people sharing double or twin accommodation. Single rooms (double rooms – single) are available on most trips however the supplements listed apply.
- If you are travelling alone then on some trips (which include taxi transfers) a ‘Solo Traveller Supplement’ will be applied instead of the normal single supplement.
- Prices are expressed in Euro’s. There will never be a currency surcharge.
- Actual exchange rates: GB £ - US $ - CAN $ - CHF - DKK - SEK - NOK - Other currencies.
The very frequent trains, which connect all the villages, make it easy to modify the programme. It gives you all the freedom to do the walks at your own pace, or alternatively, do some sightseeing.
Therefore you can also opt for several places to stay instead of just one accommodation on the Cinque Terre. This accommodation can either be at 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 !!!
At the beginning or the end of the tour there is also an opportunity to visit Genoa 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 ‘short breaks‘ – including the best walks – are available.
See also our other Cinque Terre tours !
