Italy: Genoa & the Cinque Terre

You arrive in the port city of Genoa, where you make your way to your centrally located hotel. With its storied history—rivaling that of Venice—of Mediterranean rule from the Middle Ages through the 16th century, Genoa’s wealth and importance are evident throughout. The Palazzi dei Rolli, a collection of 42 medieval cathedrals and Renaissance palaces in the city’s historical center, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in its entirety. Following an orientation meeting, step out to dinner on your own.

2.5 miles, easy to moderate, 700-ft. elevation gain and loss

The first walk on your itinerary takes you outside Genoa to the western side of the Natural Park of Portofino. The Park occupies a peninsula south of the city that reaches into the Mediterranean to form the Gulf of Paradise.

A short train ride (approximately 25 minutes) takes you from Genoa to the fishing port town of Camogli, where you head out on a steep brick path ascending to one of the park’s main gates in the tiny hamlet of San Rocco. Reaching the park, you have one of the best vantage points in the area, with stunning views of the coast and distant mountains. From there, you descend a panoramic walkway through lush gardens and elegant villas to the seaside at Punta Chiappa, a unique geological formation jutting into the water. You can find a scenic picnic spot not far from fishermen’s nets, or opt to dine at a seaside trattoria, before returning to Camogli by boat.

You may then wish to explore charming Camogli with its medieval tower and Baroque church or catch the train directly back to Genoa. Continuing your discovery of Genoa, you may choose to ride the historical funicular that climbs to the city’s 17th-century defensive city walls. For dinner, pick from the many restaurants in the city’s historical center.

Included Meals: Breakfast

4 miles, easy to moderate, 800-ft. elevation gain and loss

You depart Genoa today and are driven about 30 miles south along the coast to the town of Sestri Levante. An ancient port and trading center, the town is on a small peninsula that was once an island before it was connected to the mainland in Roman times. The walk today takes you from the town center to the Cape of Punta Manara, providing views along the way of two beautiful gulfs: The Bay of Silence and the Bay of Fables, the latter named for Hans Christian Andersen, who lived here for a short time in the 1830s. The route ascends the cape along an old mule track that turns to dirt with a few short steep parts, emerging at a promontory with a small medieval tower and gorgeous coastal views.

You can return via a trail through typical Mediterranean flora and a forest of pine and oak or retrace your steps to enjoy the panorama in the opposite direction. Once back in Sestri Levante, there are many options—a stroll along the main promenade overlooking the Portofino Peninsula, a visit to the local cultural museum, or a swim and rest at the beach.

This evening you walk to a favorite local restaurant for a pesto cooking class, followed by dinner.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

3.9 miles, easy to moderate, 850-ft. elevation gain and 800-ft. elevation loss

This morning’s walk highlights the eastern side of the Portofino Peninsula, facing the Tigullio Gulf. A short train ride delivers you to the resort town of Santa Margherita Ligure, home to an ornate Baroque church and the Romantic English gardens of Villa Durazzo. From the bustling seaside promenade of Santa Margherita, you ascend gently along a historical pilgrims’ trail to Nozarego to the hamlet of Gave with its restored chapel of San Girolamo. The path then follows the “valley of mills,” with many streams and small summer houses, where olives, chestnuts, and corn were ground, giving the valley its name. Reaching the Mulino del Gassetta, a restored mill, you can stop for a drink or a snack and view its original grinding stone and wine press.

Next on the route is Olmi, the walk’s highest point at nearly 900 feet. From here, you begin a long descent into Portofino, passing by the chapel of Saint Sebastiano with more splendid views. Portofino, once a small fishing village and now a famous luxury yacht harbor, captivates with its many pastel-colored houses, the church of Saint George on the cliff, Castello Brown, and the lighthouse at its tip.

From Portofino, you can choose to return to Santa Margherita by ferry or public bus or on foot to Paraggi, walking along the main promenade and then coming back full circle to the center of Santa Margherita, before catching the train back to Sestri Levante.

Included Meals: Breakfast

5.6 miles, moderate, 1,200-ft. elevation gain and loss or 5 miles, easy to moderate, 1,100-ft. elevation gain and loss

Begin your exploration of the Cinque Terre National Park, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can choose from several options. You depart Sestri Levante by train (your luggage is transported separately) for Levanto, a medieval town on the border of the national park. A short walk around the town is highly recommended, to take in the remains of the 13th-century port, the church of Saint Andrew, and the historical center. From Levanto, you have two options that both showcase the Cinque Terre’s fabulous scenery.

For the moderate walk, you reach the ruins of Levanto’s castle and start on the path to Punta Mesco, which eventually levels off along an easy stretch with spectacular views. You then have another rigorous ascent over rough steps through oak forest, followed by a much easier stretch through a pine forest, culminating at the promontory of Punta Mesco. At 1,000 feet, your hard work is rewarded with an amazing bird’s-eye view of all five villages of the Cinque Terre and the sea shimmering before you. A final, steep 45-minute descent on large stone steps delivers you to Monterosso al Mare, which features the Cinque Terre’s only sandy beach.

The easy-to-moderate option follows the main sea promenade of Levanto and leads to Scernio and a panoramic cape, thick with olive trees and wild broom. Rounding the entire Bonassola Gulf, you emerge near the castle and railway station. After enjoying the tiny town of Bonassola, and one of the best beaches of the area, you loop back to Levanto along an easy, flat path—a former railway line.

From either Levanto or Monterosso, a short train ride brings you to charming Manarola, your home for two nights.

Included Meals: Breakfast

2.7 miles, moderate with challenging sections, 600-ft. elevation gain and loss

Today’s walk is dedicated to the exploration of Cinque Terre National Park, established in 1999 to protect the landscape, environment, and unique culture of this region. First, you take a short train ride to Vernazza, one of the most striking of the five towns, and walk to the old monastery and then, to the pier.

The trail from Vernazza to Corniglia begins with a steep ascent up a set of stone steps before leveling off along terraced vineyards clinging to seaside cliffs. You continue on the narrow trail for approximately two hours before reaching Corniglia, the most untouched of the Cinque Terre villages. Unlike the other villages of the Cinque Terre, Corniglia is not right on the sea, instead it sits on a promontory more than 300 feet above the sea, surrounded on three sides by vineyards and terraces, while the fourth side plunges to the water. From Corniglia, you may choose to walk down to the waterfront and take a train to Manarola or Riomaggiore. The latter is the southernmost town of the five, and features houses pitched on the rocks above its harbors. The famous Via dell’Amore (often translated as “Lovers’ Lane”) connects the town of Manarola to Riomaggiore. When the trail was built, it became a meeting place for couples from the two towns.

The tradition of painting the houses of the Cinque Terre towns in various pastel hues was so the local men, usually sailors and fishermen, could recognize their homes from the sea.

Your Route Notes will suggest a favorite restaurant at which to enjoy a farewell dinner, savoring the fresh and flavorful Ligurian cuisine.

Included Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, a 30-minute drive takes you to La Spezia’s central train station for onward travels.

Included Meals: Breakfast