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The Cinque Terre in Liguria are a series of five small fishing villages dug into the cliffs where the Apennine mountains meet the Mediterranean coast line. Each village has retained its character and traditions from earlier times, impressively perched between the rocky shoreline and the steep terraced hills. The extensive network of trails connecting the villages pass through olive groves and terraced vineyards, with sweeping views of the vast expanse of the Mediterranean below. Beyond the five villages of Cinque Terre the walks take in some of the lesser known villages, towns and stretches of the Ligurian coastline. This centre based walk will see you living like a local, based in an apartment in the charming middle town of Corniglia and sourcing your wine, bread and antipasto from the local providers.
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17kg of CO2-e PP per day
(118kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
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Day 1
Arrive Corniglia
Arrive in Corniglia and meet with our representative who will direct you to your apartment. After settling in you can explore the lovely village of Corniglia.
Meals: Nil
Day 2
Walk between the colourful towns of Monterosso al Mare and Vernazza (3hrs)
This morning you set out for your first walk along the busy panoramic Azzurro trail, which takes you to two of the five colourful villages that make up the Cinque Terre. Take the train to Monterosso al Mare to start your walk, which will take you via stunning Vernazza and leads you back to Corniglia, following the coastline. Traverse between scrublands, farmyards, gardens, vineyards and orchards and along alleys leading to interesting sites such as the beautiful Santa Margherita di Antiocha Church built in the Ligurian Gothic style. The route is straightforward and easy to follow, with some ascents and descents and includes some stone staircases that can be challenging. Distance 7km/4.3mi, +482m/1581ft, -404m/1325ft
Meals: B
Day 3
Punta Mesco and Levanto with time for a swim before returning to Corniglia (4.5hrs)
Rich from its religious past, the northern part of the Cinque Terre holds many remarkable buildings, which you can discover today on your walk between Bonassola and Monterosso, crossing the Punta Mesco and via the seaside town of Levanto. The facades of the churches of San Giovanni Battista in Monterosso and Sant’Andrea in Levanto are decorated with Carrara marble and serpentine in a purely Genovese Gothic style. The first part of the walk runs along an old railway track. You will continue walking through a couple of tunnels and over small bridges offering views of the sea and surrounding cliffs. Follow beautiful trails along the ridge among conifers and deciduous trees leading to Punta Mesco, the Cinque Terre’s ultimate bastion, an abrupt cape overlooking the open sea with views over the surrounding mountains. Levanto has many relics from the Middle Ages which can be found in the middle of the small town: the castle, ramparts, the clock tower, to name a few. Return travel by train between Corniglia and Bonassola/Monterosso (extra). Distance 12km/7.5mi, +815m/2670ft, -815m/2670ft
Day 4
The coast of Tramonti & Gulf of Poets (6hrs)
A short train ride takes you to Riomaggiore where the day’s itinerary starts. The Tramonti coast, the steepest and most cultivated section of the Cinque Terre, is less visited than other parts of the coast. The route today is very scenic, with spectacular views of Portovenere and the Gulf of La Spezia. You climb gradually to Colle del Telegrafo from where the trail gently descends towards Marola along a panoramic ridge trail and passes through the village of Campiglia. From Campiglia you can continue to Portovenere along an old steep footpath (for those not afraid of heights), or take the bus to Marola or La Spezia. At the end of the walk, return by train to Corniglia. Distance 15km/19.3mi, +900m/2950ft, -890m/2920ft
Day 5
Corniglia, Volastra, Riomaggiore: the sea of vines walk (3hrs)
At the heart of the Cinque Terre, the Volastra domain is home to the most prestigious viticultural lands due to their aesthetic qualities and the high quality of their produce. During the September harvest, the grapes climb the steepest slopes on monorails, seeming to leap into the sea below - it is a truly impressive sight. Overlooking the coast and the green open spaces and terraces, today's hike snakes between dry stone walls, and the plunging views of villages clinging to mountain spurs are a photographer’s dream. The first part of the walk is quite steep, then you take the path to Volastra where the route becomes flat and very panoramic. The last section to Riomaggiore is on steep stairs. From Riomaggiore take a train back to Corniglia, or you can take the train to Manarola, with its scenic multi-coloured alleys, returning afterwards to Corniglia. *If you wish to walk along the Via dell'Amore from Riomaggiore to Manarola please note the entrance fee is included in the Cinque Terre Card however bookings are essential (path may be closed at short notice due to weather). Distance 7km/4.35mi, +630m/2067ft, -665m/2182ft
Day 6
Options including Montemarcello-Magra (5hrs) or Portofino Natural Parks (5hrs)
On the last day you can choose from a wide range of walks on the east or west coast of the Cinque Terre National park - and beyond! There are opportunities to swim at small beaches along the way. Options include: - The Montemarcello-Magra Natural Park (5hrs) This hike follows portions of the AGV trail, which connects the Portovenere ridges to La Spezia and the Montemarcello, at the boundaries of Liguria and Tuscany. The name stands for “Alta Via del Golfo”, which means “high road over the gulf”. In good visibility it is possible to see the north-eastern part of Tuscany, which begins in the Magra river valley, as well as the outline of the Apuane Alps in the background. The return trip from Zanego to Lerici presents an overhanging path among olive trees on the old stone paths of the Montemarcello. Distance 15km/9.3mi, +868m/2847ft, -869m/2851ft - Portofino Natural Park (5hrs) The peninsula in the gulf of Genoa was created by ancient glaciers, which carried large moraines to the edge of the sea while sliding down the Ligurian Alps. These rounded rocks and boulders were torn from the landscape by the moving ice and ended up here. Then, a fine cement binded the boulders to form a hard rock that can be found throughout Portofino Natural Park. The paths are an excellent way to discover the area’s history: monastic life in San Fruttuoso, isolated farms and ancient agricultural terraces, stories of pirates or smugglers hidden in secret coves. The wild interior of the peninsula is a stark contrast to the beautiful towns of Portofino and Santa Margherita. Distance 12km/7.4mi, +918m/3011ft, -902m/2959ft - From Bonassola to Deiva Marina (5hrs) Walk through the hills of the East Riviera, between Bonassola, Framura and Deiva Marina. The first part of this walk is extremely panoramic with wonderful views over the northern Ligurian coast. Visit the nice villages of Bonassola and Deiva Marina and after the walk return to Corniglia by train. Distance 12.5km/7.8mi, +660m/2165ft, -645m/2116ft
Day 7
Trip concludes
Arrangements conclude after breakfast this morning. Additional nights can be added on request.
What's included
What's not included
During the trip you will stay in a studio apartment in Corniglia, suitable for up to 2 guests, or a 1 bedroom apartment suitable for 2-3 guests. 2 bedroom apartments are not available, adjacent apartments are available on request. Ask our office for details. The apartments are self-catering and contain basic cooking facilities. All apartments have air conditioning.
The air conditioned apartments are located in the centre of Corniglia. All apartments have an ensuite and a small kitchen where you can prepare snacks and any other meals during your stay.
GRADE 2 - If you are not used to walking in mountainous terrain this walk may be considered more challenging than the introductory to moderate grade we have set. It is graded introductory to moderate in comparison to other walks we offer in Europe. The walking hours noted above are based on the walking speed of regular walkers, however the walks may take longer for people who are not used to walking in mountainous terrain, or for people walking in the heat of the summer months. There are some more difficult sections and short ascents on rough surfaces, however overall the distances are usually less than 10km. It can be tiring walking along the stone steps of diverse sizes. During the hotter months the walk can be more demanding and this should be taken into account when you select the day's walk. To fully participate you should be able to walk for up to 5 hours a day. The terrain offers a classic landscape of small (although sometimes steep) hills, olive groves and vineyards and some days you will have shorter and longer walking options. A reasonable to good level of fitness is required. As with all of our trips it is important that you are well prepared - the fitter you are the more you will enjoy the walking. We suggest that you undertake regular exercise – swimming, cycling, and jogging, two to three times a week for three months prior to your departure.
Per Person, Twin Share
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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