Self-guided long-distance hikes on the Italian Riviera
During the past years there has been a great demand for a hike with the characteristics of a pilgrimage.
If you are looking for something similar, I can offer you the following self guided hiking tours, covering different areas of the Italian Riviera,
crossing the Cinque Terre towns or other beautiful villages by the Ligurian coast.
We take care of everything, you only have to enjoy your hike along one of the most stunning coastlines of Italy.
Your accommodation will be in selected small hotels or boutique guesthouses with breakfast and typical dinner.
You will receive a roadbook with maps and descriptions of the itinerary.
Your luggage will be transported daily from one accommodation to the next.
Book this tour
Self-guided long-distance hike from Sestri Levante to Portovenere
This is one of the most popular long-distance walking tours of the area. You'll hike through the famous Cinque Terre National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site,
but you will also discover some less known trails and villages,
which are just as stunning, but lot more quiet.
Day 1
Arrival by train in Riva Trigoso or Sestri Levante. Check-in at your accommodation.
You will be given the roadbook with all the maps and information for your upcoming hike.
Enjoy your first dinner with local ligurian specialties in the beautiful, rustic ambience of the restaurant of the hotel or in another typical restaurant of Sestri Levante.
Day 2
Start your hiking in the morning towards your next destination, Moneglia, a charming little town by the sea.
The hike will take you on not very travelled footpaths to an old lookout point passing through the wonderful Mediterranean vegetation.
The hike takes about 3 hours.
Day 3
This will be one of the longer days taking you on panoramic footpaths first to Deiva Marina, then to Framura and Bonassola,
where you will stay for the night. There are about 6 hours to hike. In case you are tired in between there is always the possibility
to catch a train from one of the villages to reach your next overnight destination.
Day 4
Start in the morning with a beautiful hike to the next little town Levanto. It's reachable through a wonderfully panoramic
footpath or crossing an ancient tunnel system, the shorter, but of course less panoramic option.
Enjoy a lunch break in this pretty town or have a swim on the beach before starting in the afternoon the next part of you hike
that takes you in about 3 hours right into the Cinque Terre National Park, to a cosy hotel above the first Cinque Terre village, Monterosso.
Total hiking time this day is about 5 hrs.
Day 5
A very scenic hike takes you to the sanctuary above Vernazza and down to the picturesque village of Vernazza, one of the famous five Cinque Terre villages.
After a lunch break you continue your hike to Corniglia (another Cinque Terre village) and, crossing the vineyards with breathtaking view,
to the little hamlet of Volastra (above Manarola), where you will be accommodated in a nice family run hotel. This last section is one of my favourite walks in the
Cinque Terre.
Dinner will be offered at the local restaurant. Hiking time this day is about 6 hours. If you get tired, you can also take the Cinque Terre Express Train.
Day 6
This is the last section of your self-guided walking tour, with breathtaking views!
Start early in the morning with your hike that takes you first on an even path to the ancient sanctuary of Montenero
giving you lots of great views over the Cinque Terre villages Manarola and Riomaggiore.
Then it continues crossing vineyards and oak tree forests to the village of Campiglia.
From here you can see on one side the big harbour of La Spezia, on the other side the open sea.
Still two hours of scenic hike and a steep descent brings you to the end point of your pilgrimage, Portovenere.
At the end of the day you will take a short ferry boat ride to La Spezia where you will spend the last night
of your pilgrimage in a guesthouse or hotel in the centre of the town. Dinner is arranged in a very typical and traditional
restaurant.
Day 7
Breakfast, check-out and departure.
Price per person (based on 2 participants)
- September to June, with breakfast: 790 €
- September to June, with half board: 990 €
- July, August and holidays, with breakfast: 890 €
- July, August and holidays, with half board: 1090 €
What's included
- 6-night accommodation in 2/3 star hotels or guesthouses. Double room occupancy. City tax is not included.
- Breakfast, and in case of the half board package, also dinner.
- Roadbook with the suggested itineraries, map.
- Entrance fee to the Cinque Terre National Park.
- Luggage transport every day from one accommodation to the next.
- Boat ride last day from Portovenere to La Spezia.
- 24-hour local emergency assistance. (Phone number to call.)
Book this tour
Self-guided long-distance hike from Genoa to Sestri Levante
This long-distance hike starts in Genoa, the capital of Liguria, takes you to the stunning Portofino peninsula and finishes in Sestri Levante. If you are a really avid hiker,
you can continue all the way to Portovenere, combining the two packages on this page. During this hike you will also discover some less known villages and walk off the beaten
track, enjoying some quiet time, fully immersed in nature.
Day 1
Arrival by airplane or train in Genoa. Check-in at your accommodation in the charming Genova Nervi.
You will be given the roadbook with all the maps and information for your upcoming hike.
Enjoy your first dinner at your hotel.
Day 2
Relax, take time to get over your jetleg, or spend this day discovering Genoa. You can take a nice walk in Nervi among beautiful villas and gardens, or you can head
to the historical center of Genoa and see its cathedral, palaces and traditional food shops. Visiting the old port or the famous aquarium is also a nice option.
Day 3
Following a nice breakfast at your hotel, start your hike on the panoramic footpaths along less known coastal towns of the Riviera Levante, like Bogliasco, Sori
and Recco. Recco is very famous for its cheese focaccia, make sure you taste it. Your trails will take you through olive groves and lush mediterranean vegetation,
with amazing views of the Golfo Paradiso and the Portofino peninsula. Your accommodation will be in Camogli, a small town with a great local vibe and a colourful fishing
harbour, one of my personal favourites in this area. In case you are tired, there is always the possibility
to catch a train from one of the villages to reach Camogli.
Day 4
Start the morning with a pleasant stroll on the promenade of Camogli, then walk up the stairs towards San Rocco. San Rocco is a peaceful hamlet with great
views of Camogli and the Bay of Paradise. From here you'll be crossing the Portofino promontory, which is full of hiking trails. You'll be walking among olive groves
and meeting local people doing work in their small gardens. You can enjoy amazing seaview all along. On the other side of the peninsula you'll descend into Portofino,
a favourite meeting place of the rich and famous. From Portofino you can walk to Santa Margherita and Rapallo along the sea, or if you feel you have hiked enough,
you can take the local bus or the ferry boat. Make sure you stop for a coffee or gelato in the historical center of Santa Margherita, before moving on to Rapallo.
Day 5
This morning you can choose between a sporty and a comfortable option. You can hike up to the Sanctuary Madonna di Montallegro at 612 meters above sea level, or
you can take the cable car. From the top you'll hike towards Chiavari, with the view of the Ligurian sea on one side, and the mountains on the other side.
Today's hike is shorter, so you'll have time for a walk around the historical center of Chiavari with its interesting arcades and beautiful shops.
Day 6
The last strenuous hiking day with breathtaking views. First you'll walk through the urban area of Lavagna, then climb up the hill to enjoy beautiful views of the
Golfo Tigullio and take a last look at the Portofino promontory. You'll be heading to Sestri Levante, another gem of Liguria, which is situated on a peninsula between
two bays: Baia del Silenzio and Baia delle Favole. Your last accommodation depends on availability. You'll stay in a nice house in the center of Sestri Levante.
If it is not available, then you'll continue your hike with the best view of Sestri Levante from Punta Manara, all the way to your agriturismo.
Day 7
Breakfast, check-out and departure, or you can continue your hike all the way to the Cinque Terre and Portovenere.
Price per person (based on 2 participants)
- September to June, with breakfast: 790 €
- September to June, with half board: 990 €
- July, August and holidays, with breakfast: 890 €
- July, August and holidays, with half board: 1090 €
What's included
- 6-night accommodation in 2/3 star hotels, guesthouses or farmhouse. Double room occupancy. City tax is not included.
- Breakfast, and in case of the half board package, also dinner.
- Roadbook with the suggested itineraries, map.
- Luggage transport every day from one accommodation to the next.
- 24-hour local emergency assistance. (Phone number to call.)
You can also choose the shorter Cinque Terre self-guided hike.
We offer a wide range of sustainable and authentic shared tours in the area, which you can book in addition to your package.
