Cinque Terre
Classic Hike

This morning we have a short train transfer to the town of Camogli from where we set off for a full day hike along the seaside cliffs of the Italian Riviera. Weather permitting, we descend to the 13th –century Abbey of San Fruttuoso where we enjoy lunch and a swim at this exquisite beach and bay that is only accessible by foot or by boat. We continue our hike by ascending from the Abbey and traversing a scenic ridge with magnificent views that alternate between the sea and the coastal mountain range whose flank is dotted with villages and hamlets. Our route serves as the perfect scenic introduction to this marvelous region.Train: 5 minutes; Hiking: 6-8.7 miles; 5.5 hours; Terrain: Rolling pathways, rocky trails, and some steep trail sections as well as a 45-minute continuous uphill climb. Cumulative elevation gain: 2,000-2,300'. You can shorten the hike by taking a ferry from San Fruttuoso. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.

A transfer by train this morning brings us to the village of Levanto, once a walled town and major stronghold of the Genoese. We leave Levanto on foot and hike to Monterosso. The hike takes us gradually up and over a peninsula, rewarding us first with fine views over Levanto's medieval walls and tiled roofs, and eventually the whole stretch of the Cinque Terre coast is laid out before us. We'll arrive in Monterosso this afternoon; you'll have time to enjoy a swim at the sandy beach or wander through the quaint streets to find a pleasant cafe where you can watch the world go by. Tonight we have a pesto-making demonstration followed by dinner. Train: 1 hour to Levanto; Hiking: 5.6 miles, 3-3.5 hours; Terrain: Long, steep pathways and stair sections with a 45 minutes continuous uphill climb, rocky trails, and rolling hills. Cumulative elevation gain: 1,968'. This hike can be shortened by taking a train or a ferry to Monterosso. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included

This morning we'll continue our hike along the coast. Our first stop is Vernazza, one of the most photographed villages in the Cinque Terre. From here, an optional hike to Corniglia offers views of the deep blue sea as we travel through terraced olive groves. We continue to Volastra, an ancient village surrounded by terraced vineyards and olive trees. Our hike ends at the seaside village of Manarola where we have time for a gelato before taking the train back to our hotel in Monterosso. We dine independently tonight giving us the opportunity to choose from a variety of authentic local trattorias and cafes. Train: 8 minutes to Monterosso; Hiking: 7.6 miles, 4-4.5 hours; Terrain: Some long, steep trail and stair sections with a 45 minutes continuous uphill climb, rocky trails, and rolling hills. You can shorten the hike by taking a ferry or train. Cumulative elevation gain: 2,864'. .Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included

We begin the day with a short train transfer to Riomaggiore, the starting point of our hike to Portovenere. Our route takes us through majestic pine and chestnut forests, we hike past cork trees, a medieval sanctuary, and finally to a 16th-century Genovese naval fortress that once protected Portovenere from marauding corsair pirates. In late afternoon, we check into our hotel and have some free time to explore the cobbled streets of this picturesque seaside village. Dramatic cliffs plunge into the blue waters of the Mediterranean in a setting so beautiful that Byron, Shelley and D.H. Lawrence succumbed to its charms. Overnight in Portovenere. Train: 15 minutes; Hiking: 9 miles, 4.5 hours; Terrain: Rocky trails, rolling and steep trail sections including a 40-minute continuous uphill climb. Cumulative elevation gain: 3,200'. You can shorten the hike with a taxi transfer, at your expense. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included

Our final day starts with a boat ride around the nearby island of Palmaria and smaller islands of Tino and Tinetto. Landing on Palmaria, we hike around the island on a wooded path passing Napoleonic-era forts and an ancient marble quarry which for centuries provided the rock for La Spezia's grand Palazzi. We'll return to Portovenere mid-day and have some free time before dinner to explore or go for a swim in the "Poet's Grotto". Tonight, we'll drink a toast celebrating new friendships before enjoying dinner together at one of the lively restaurants in town. Overnight in Portovenere. Boat: 8 minutes each way; Hiking: 3 miles, 2.5 hours; Terrain: Pathways and rocky trails with short, steep sections. Cumulative elevation gain: 636'. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included

After breakfast, our adventure ends with a private transfer to the La Spezia train station. We plan to arrive at 9:45 a.m.; please do not schedule rail departures prior to 10am. Breakfast included. Driving: 30 minutes.

Please note: Some details of the itinerary may change according to the departure date of your tour. Whenever we run a tour we make new discoveries. Sometimes they are good discoveries, like a wonderful new trattoria, and sometimes they are bad, like a trail has been washed away. The result is that we sometimes change our itinerary to improve it by adding new wonderful elements to the tour or by removing something that does not work anymore. Rest assured, our goal is to always provide you with the best possible experience. We will advise you of any changes to the original itinerary prior to departure.