Cinque Terre Pilgrimage to Portovenere

You’ll arrive by train in Riva Trigoso, a town next to Sestri Levante. After you arrive, you’ll check-in at your accommodation: Agriturismo La Pergola dei Paggi, the quaint farmhouse in Sestri Levante. Following check-in, you’ll receive a roadbook containing all the maps and information you’ll need for your self-guided hiking tour through Cinque Terre. After settling in, you’ll enjoy the first of many dinners. This one will be rich with authentic Ligurian delicacies and served to you in the charming atmosphere of the hotel restaurant.

Wake up the next morning and breakfast in style at your hotel before beginning your hike towards the first destination: the charming seaside town of Moneglia. You’ll traverse little-used byways that lead to an old lookout point. Along the way you’ll pass through miles of delightful Mediterranean vegetation.

Start the next step of your hiking pilgrimage off right with a rich breakfast in your hotel. Eat well, as this will be a longer route than yesterday, and one of the longer days of the entire hiking tour. You’ll revel in the panoramic views on winding paths leading to picturesque villages. First, you’ll head to Deiva Marina, then on to Framura, and finally to Bonassola for the night. Since there are six hours of hiking, if you become too tired, you may catch a train from one of the other villages to reach Bonassola. When you do reach Bonassola, you’ll find simple but comfortable accommodations waiting for you, nestled in the village center.

You’re warming up now! Start off the morning with another lovely breakfast before you begin your self-guided hiking adventure anew. This time you’re heading for Levanto, a little town you’ll reach either via a footpath littered with panoramic views, or if you prefer, take a shortcut through an ancient tunnel system. Once you reach the town, you can enjoy some lunch from a local cafe, or go for a swim on the nearby beach before resuming your journey. When you’re ready, you’ll head for Monterosso… hiking straight into the spectacular Cinque Terre National Park!

After your lovely buffet breakfast, it’s time to get back to the action on your hiking tour! Today will take you over some difficult but terrifically scenic terrain. Follow the path as you wind your way up to an old sanctuary above Monterosso, and then as you progress, you’ll arrive at another ancient sanctuary above Vernazza. From there you’ll come down into one of the five famous villages of Cinque Terre, the village of Vernazza itself. After taking a lunch break in the village, your self-guided adventure begins again as you head for another village of Cinque Terre: Corniglia. From there, you’ll cross vineyards with stunning views and arrive at the small hamlet of Volastra, where you’ll stay at a lovely family-run hotel and dine in a local restaurant.

Time to hit the road on the final leg of your hiking tour pilgrimage and head for Portovenere. On the way you’ll pass through the timeless sanctuary of Montenero where you’ll get scenic views sweeping over two more Cinque Terre villages: Manarola and Riomaggiore. The trail continues, crossing through vineyards and oak forests to a village called Campiglia. From Campiglia you can look out and see La Spezia and the large harbor to one side, while the open sea stretches away on the other. As you continue through more stunning vistas you’ll arrive at a steep descent which will bring you to your last stop: Portovenere! Enjoy exploring Portovenere and then later in the day you’ll ride a short ferry boat to La Spezia. Dinner will be a traditional affair served at a local restaurant in the town center.

Enjoy one last breakfast on the Ligurian coast before you head off your own way. Congratulations! You completed your self-guided hiking pilgrimage! You have had an amazing experience and accomplished quite a feat at the same time. Come back again soon!