Self-Guided
Cinque Terre Hiking Tour
The Cinque Terre offers some of the most beautiful hiking in Italy. Over many centuries man has taken a captivating coastline and embellished it with pastel colored villages and hillside terraces. This walking tour takes you from the sandy beaches of Levanto through the five villages of the Cinque Terre and on to the castle of Portovenere. Along the way you sample local specialties such as focaccia, pesto pasta, and farinata, a thin chickpea cake cooked in a wood-burning oven. Learn about the local wines during a guided wine tasting. See how the wines are made while touring a Cinque Terre winery. We take care of the details so you can relax on your self-guided walking holiday.
​Highlights
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The Italian Riviera
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The Cinque Terre
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A guided wine tasting
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Cinque Terre winery visit
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Ancient coastal footpaths
Price
US$ 1,350 per person, double occupancy
Dates
Any date, Mar 1 to Dec 1
Single Supplement
+ US$ 250 for single room occupancy
Length
6 Days, 5 Nights
Start / Finish
Levanto / Portovenere
Route Rating
Moderate to Challenging: 2-8 miles (3-13 km) per day of hiking with some steep ascents/descents. Public transport available to shorten/skip hikes.
Terms and Conditions >
Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Levanto
Arrive in the town of Levanto on the edge of the Cinque Terre National Park. Levanto has much to offer in the form of sand, sea, and sights. Your hotel is located in the historic center just 100 meters from the town's long sandy beach. Italian surfers ride the small Mediterranean waves while couples enjoy the passaggiata, a slow stroll through the town's center.
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Day 2: Monterosso
After a buffet breakfast leave your luggage in the hotel lobby. Your bags will be transported to your next hotel. Hike three hours through olive and pine trees. The pedestrian trail offers great sea views as it winds along the terraced hillside. From the trail you can see all five towns of the Cinque Terre. Arrive in Monterosso and check into your hotel. Small Monterosso has a medieval castle, a sandy beach, and a bustling pedestrian center. The town is known for its lemons, white wine grapes, and anchovies. Before dinner try the local wines at a wine tasting.
Day 3 and 4: Monterosso and Manarola
The five towns of the Cinque Terre are well connected by trails, trains, and ferries. Trains zip passengers between towns in minutes. The ferries take longer, but provide spectacular coastal views. On this hiking tour you can choose how much you want to hike. You can hike all the trails or you can hike less. Start and finish where you want, it is up to you. We provide detailed turn by turn directions for all the major hikes. The trails meander up and down through olive groves, vineyards and woods. Whichever paths you take you are always guaranteed an incredible sea view. Take your time and explore the villages. Enjoy a leisurely lunch and bring your bathing suit for a refreshing dip in the sea.
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Day 5 and 6: Portovenere
A coastal footpath leads you to Portovenere. This off the beaten trail is bathed in sunlight as it winds along the fertile coast. Cork trees, chestnuts, and wildflowers line the way. Stroll past a medieval sanctuary and a huge stone castle. The castle dates from the 12th century and was built to protect from pirates. Portovenere's picturesque harbor is lined with pastel colored houses.
Daily Distance
Lodging
Oasi Hotel
Levanto (1 night)
The Oasi Hotel is just a five-minute walk from the beach and close to the town center. It offers elegant and bright rooms and a great breakfast.
hotel website >
Hotel Margherita
Monterosso al Mare (2 nights)
The Hotel Margherita is located 250 meters from the Monterosso beach. The hotel is in the historic center of town, surrounded by the local shops, and restaurants.
hotel website >
Hotel Ca d'Andrean
Manarola (1 night)
The Ca d'Andrean is a small family-run hotel in the historic center of Manarola. the hotel has air-conditioning,WIFI, and a peaceful garden.
Siena Hotel Supplement During Palio
During the Palio (Siena's horse race) hotel prices triple. A surcharge of US$ 100 per person will apply for if you stay in Siena Jun 29-30, Jul 1-2, or Aug 13-16.
What if it Rains?
On self-guided tours there is no van support. But, we do move your luggage. If it rains you can catch a ride with us when we move your bags, just call to make arrangements.
Siena Hotel Supplement During Palio
During the Palio (Siena's horse race) hotel prices triple. A surcharge of US$ 100 per person will apply for if you stay in Siena Jun 29-30, Jul 1-2, or Aug 13-16.
Siena Hotel Supplement During Palio
During the Palio (Siena's horse race) hotel prices triple. A surcharge of US$ 100 per person will apply for if you stay in Siena Jun 29-30, Jul 1-2, or Aug 13-16.
What if it Rains?
On self-guided tours there is no van support. But, we do move your luggage. If it rains you can catch a ride with us when we move your bags, just call to make arrangements.
Siena Hotel Supplement During Palio
During the Palio (Siena's horse race) hotel prices triple. A surcharge of US$ 100 per person will apply for if you stay in Siena Jun 29-30, Jul 1-2, or Aug 13-16.
What if it Rains?
On self-guided tours there is no van support. But, we do move your luggage. If it rains you can catch a ride with us when we move your bags, just call to make arrangements.
What if it Rains?
On self-guided tours there is no van support. But, we do move your luggage. If it rains you can catch a ride with us when we move your bags, just call to make arrangements.
What if it Rains?
On self-guided tours there is no van support. But, we do move your luggage. If it rains you can catch a ride with us when we move your bags, just call to make arrangements.
Hotel Paradiso
Portovenere (1 night)
The Hotel Paradiso is a five-minute walk from the center of Portovenere. Rooms are air-conditioned and have beautiful views of the sea and harbor.
hotel website >
What's Included
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All lodging, three and four star hotels
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All breakfasts
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Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
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Guided wine tasting
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Optional winery visit with wine tasting
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Four beautiful hikes
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Route notes and map
Departure from Portovenere
End of Tour
Your hiking tour ends in Portovenere. Portovenere does not have a train station. You can take a bus or private shuttle to the train station in La Spezia. Train travel times from la Spezia are:
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La Spezia to Florence: 2 hours
La Spezia to Milan: 3 hour
La Spezia to Rome: 4 hours
Walking Holidays in Italy
Explore the Ligurian coast at your own pace. We provide detailed route notes, luggage transfers, great accommodations, restaurant suggestions, and sightseeing notes. You choose the dates. We take care of the details.
Can I really start any date I want?
Yes! You can start your tour any day of the week, March 1 through December 1. We have complete flexibility with the starting dates.
Why Cinque Terre?
The Cinque Terre has a lot to offer including breathtaking coastal footpaths, charming coastal villages, and cozy beaches.