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Highlights
Explore the natural beauty of Cinque Terre and the Ligurian coast by train and on foot
Experience the local food, wine, and culture as you meet local hosts and an authentic experience on the Ligurian Coast.
Sit back and relax as the trains take you through picturesque villages and past breathtaking vistas to your next hiking destination.
Marvel at Cinque Terre National Park and the ancient footpaths connecting villages.
Step back in time as you discover the ancient sanctuaries and holy places nestled in the Italian countryside.
Bask in the sights, sounds, and smells of the majestic Mediterranean as you hike along forgotten pathways in the Cinque Terre National Park and Ligurian Coast. Your self-guided hiking adventure will take you on foot to ancient sanctuaries hidden in the hills and by train through charming Italian villages steeped in history.
Come on this special, self-guided tour to one of the most beautiful parts of the world and spend 6 amazing days hiking the countryside, riding the rails past stunning vistas, tasting the food and wine of the local artisans, and experiencing the wonder of the Cinque Terre National Park and Italy’s Ligurian Coast! At the end of each of your hiking days, you’ll spend 7 nights in small, family-run hotels and boutique guesthouses hand-picked to give you an authentic experience of the local Ligurian culture.
Bask in the sights, sounds, and smells of the majestic Mediterranean as you hike along forgotten pathways in the Cinque Terre National Park and Ligurian Coast. Your self-guided hiking adventure will take you on foot to ancient sanctuaries hidden in the hills and by train through charming Italian villages steeped in history.
Come on this special, self-guided tour to one of the most beautiful parts of the world and spend 6 amazing days hiking the countryside, riding the rails past stunning vistas, tasting the food and wine of the local artisans, and experiencing the wonder of the Cinque Terre National Park and Italy’s Ligurian Coast! At the end of each of your hiking days, you’ll spend 7 nights in small, family-run hotels and boutique guesthouses hand-picked to give you an authentic experience of the local Ligurian culture.
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Itinerary for Cinque Terre Self-Guided trek from Portofino to Porto Venere
Day 1 Arrive in Santa Margherita
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.
Overnight Location: Hotel Jolanda, Santa Margherita Liguria
Distance: N/A
Meals: None
Day 2 Hike to Portofino
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.
Overnight Location: Hotel Jolanda, Santa Margherita Liguria
Distance: 1.5 hrs, 6.5 km, 225 m of elevation change
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Hike to Sanctuary Madonna di Montallegro
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.
Overnight Location: Hotel Villa Argentina, Moneglia
Distance: 3-5 hrs, 18 km, 600 m of elevation change
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 Hike from Bonassola to Moneglia
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.
Overnight Location: Hotel Villa Argentina, Moneglia
Distance: 7 hrs, 17 km, 900 m of elevation change
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 Journey to Monterosso and Wine Tasting
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.
Overnight Location: Hotel Margherita, Monterosso
Distance: 3.5 hrs, 8 km, 320 m of elevation change
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Explore Cinque Terre
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.
Overnight Location: Hotel Margherita, Monterosso
Distance: 7 hrs, 18.5 km, 1055 m of elevation change
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Hike to Porto Venere
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.
Overnight Location: Hotel Margherita, Monterosso
Distance: 5.5 hrs, 14km, 550 m of elevation change
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Check Out and Depart from 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!
Overnight Location: N/A
Distance: N/A
Meals: Breakfast
2024 Departures The departures are available daily.
- Single room: from EUR1640*
- Sharing a double room: from EUR1115*
Accommodation on Cinque Terre Self-Guided trek from Portofino to Porto Venere
This tour is based in Hotels and boutique guesthouses.
Hotels on this trip are 2 and 3-star hotels and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant. Rooms may have fireplaces or access to amenities such as hot tubs, steam rooms, or private decks to lounge on. Rooms are double occupancy, and single travelers will pay a supplement.
In some cases, accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel (please check Dates and Prices to find the pricing).
What’s included in the Cinque Terre Self-Guided trek from Portofino to Porto Venere?
Meals
7 breakfasts, 2 dinners, and 1 wine tasting.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights in 3-star hotels as described or similar in a double-occupancy room with a private bathroom.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for your luggage from one accommodation to the next is included. Boat rides included: Camogli-San Fruttuoso, Portofino-Santa Margherita, Porto Venere-Monterosso. Train tickets are not included.
Also Included
- Wine tasting in Monterosso.
- Maps, roadbook and description of the hikes.
- Emergency assistance by the phone during the office hours (until 6 pm, except Sundays)
Not included
- Entrance Fees
- Train Tickets
- Tips
- City Taxes (if applicable)
- Breakfast on Day 1, all lunches, all dinners except days 3 and 4
- Any additional services not specifically mentioned under “included”
- How difficult is hiking in Cinque Terre?
- What are the best times of year to explore Cinque Terre?
- What equipment should I bring?
- Do I need a Visa to travel to Italy?
- Are meals included?
- Do I need insurance?
- Is the tour information (maps, descriptions, etc) in English?
- Where does the tour end?
- Do I need vaccines?
- Are there any travel restrictions for this country?
We rate this tour difficulty as a 3 / 5. A minimum of 4 miles (6.5 km) and a maximum of 11.5 miles (18.5 km) will need to be covered each day. Most days are at least 10 miles (17 km). While you are walking near the sea, the days can be hilly with a moderate amount of uphill and downhill. Should you get tired there are a couple of days that have shorter/alternate routes or where a train or shuttle can be taken instead. Check your roadbook for specific details.
The climate is usually warm and dry and doesn’t rain often. Since there is a lot of hiking on this tour, you may prefer to avoid the warmer weather of summer (which is also high season) and visit during the spring or fall since it doesn’t rain too often. We have had great experience hiking in Cinque Terre in September and October.
You will need good hiking footwear and comfortable clothing (preferably in layers so you can peel one off as you warm up). We also recommend a daypack, sunscreen, and a hat. Depending on the time of year, you may want a waterproof jacket/pants just in case.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
7 breakfasts, 2 dinners, and 1 wine tasting are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have Health and Medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.
Yes, the roadbook, maps, and descriptions are in English.
The tour ends in Monterosso when you check out of your hotel.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
Customer Ratings
Arbaspàa was formed in 2001, and headquartered in Manarola, with a second office in La Spezia. They are committed to providing guests with the best experience exploring the most incredible places in Liguaria.
