Cinque Terre & the Portofino Peninsula

Difficulty level 2/5, easy to moderate level. The overall level is easy, with no technical difficulties. The paths are well maintained, but sometimes you traverse sections that are not quite flat. As a result, it is necessary to be able to walk for 5 hours under the warm sun and over rocky terrain. Most of the time, the paths are well marked but you must nevertheless follow the guidebook and the maps that you will be provided in the travel pack. This trip will best suit those who have a good physical conditioning and experience hiking regularly.

No extra luggage to carry during hikes, except the essential items for the day (lunch, water & personal belongings) in a small backpack.

You will have to handle all your own luggage during the transfer by train on Day 6.

Registration is possible from 2 people and up.

Dates of departure at your convenience from April to the end of October.

Low season: April 1st – 13th / May 6th – 27th / June 7th – 30th / September 1st – October 31st

Mid-season: July

High season: April 14th – May 5th / May 28th – June 6th / August 1st – 31st

8 days / 7 nights / 6 days of hiking

Start

On Day 1 in Levanto. Hotel check-in available after ~3pm.

Finish

On Day 8 after breakfast and hotel check-out (~10am) in Camogli.

There is the possibility to add extra nights in Levanto or Camogli before or after the tour. Please contact us for availability.

Self-guided tour, without a human guide. A digital travel packet (documents available in English, French & German) will be sent by email that includes access to our smartphone travel application for navigating hikes and accessing local maps (available in English only), the list of booked accommodations, any included travel vouchers and all the detailed information needed for a successful trip. If desired, we can provide a printed version of the travel packet for an additional fee. It will be waiting and available at the 1st accommodation of the itinerary with maps, topo guide and travel folder. This must be requested at the time of booking. There is no welcome meeting at the arrival hotel or general orientation meeting for this tour.

Accommodation / Catering

Accommodation

In a double occupancy room in a 3* hotel in Levanto (5 nights) and in a 4* hotel in Camogli (2 nights). Single rooms are available upon request for an additional fee and are subject to availability.

Meals

Breakfast is included (7). Half-board stay in Levanto includes 5 dinners. Bed & breakfast stay in Camogli with no dinners included. Lunches are not included but can easily be planned along hikes in restaurants or picnic supplies may be sourced from local markets.

*Please let us know if you follow a special diet or have any food allergies so that we may inform the hotels.

Trip Starting Destination

This tour starts in the city of Levanto, Italy

Trip Ending Destination

This tour ends in the city of Camogli, Italy

By Plane

Genoa International airport is the closest and largest, then you can take a train to Levanto/from Camogli. TO/FROM THE AIRPORT - Genoa Airport official website

-There is a shuttle bus that enables you to go from the airport to the railway station of Genoa easily. It is called “Volabus” and it costs about 6 euros.

Pisa International airport is also an option for arrival/departure flights and a train station is next to the airport. Passengers - Pisa Airport (pisa-airport.com)

By Train

Genoa railway station to Levanto is about 2 hours by train. Pisa airport to Levanto is also about 2 to 2.5 hours by train. You can check train departure from Camogli to either Pisa or Genoa. You will find the train schedules on the following website: EN - Trenitalia

By Car/Bus

From Genoa to Levanto (about 70km), take the A12 Genoa-Livorno and get out at the toll station of Carrodano-Levanto. It is possible to park your car in Levanto, in either the parking lot of the hotel or in a nearby street. When you register, please tell us you are coming with a car. You won’t be allowed to leave your car in the car park of the hotel in Levanto when moving to Camogli on day 6, so you will have to either move it and park it somewhere else in Levanto or use your car to reach Camogli and park it at the hotel there.

- Flix Bus: https://www.flixbus.com/

- Bla Bla Car (bus and carpool options): https://www.blablacar.co.uk/bus

Swimming

Several of our trips are suitable for swimming, either during a stage or at the end of the day. It would be a shame not to take advantage of it in the right season. We want to highlight that you are the ultimate decision-maker regarding whether to swim or not. As such, these swims are entirely your responsibility and undertaken at your own risk.

Travel story

Would you like to share your best moments of the trip and share your experience with the greater Grand Angle hiking community? Send us your story and some photos illustrating your words that we can consider publishing on our blog.

Responsible tourism

Travelife Partner

Since 2025, Grand Angle has been recognized as a Travelife Partner, an international label that certifies our responsible practices regarding the environment, ethics, and sustainable management, both within our company, with our partners, and in the organization of our trips.

This label, the second level of a rigorous international certification, attests to our concrete actions in favor of responsible tourism. We are actively working toward the next level, Travelife Certified, in line with our sustainable development policy.

It is the client’s responsibility to arrive prepared with the items listed below to help insure a safe and enjoyable trip.

The following items are required for this trip unless otherwise noted. When packing, think layered clothing systems that work together and can be easily added or removed.

• Hiking Boots/Shoes – waterproof, sturdy molded sole, deep tread and ideally well broken in (Note: buy boots/shoes 1/2 size to 1 size larger than street shoes to allow for feet swelling and thicker socks)
• Hiking Socks – one pair for every day or two days of the trip. Hiking/Sport specific padded socks, no cotton please!
• Sun Hat – wide brimmed hat or baseball cap/bandana combo
• Hiking Shirts – non-cotton, breathable short sleeve and/or long sleeve shirts (Note: long sleeve shirts provide better sun protection)
• Warm Top – mid-weight sweater or pullover of wicking material such as merino wool, fleece or polypropylene
• Insulating Jacket – down-fill or synthetic-fill insulated “puffy” jacket or warm, heavy weight fleece jacket. (Note: this item may not be needed in summer months)
• Hiking Pants & Shorts – nylon pants AND shorts, zip-offs or leggings
• Base Layer/Long Underwear – 1 pair of wicking tops and bottoms that are lightweight to midweight, synthetic wicking materials such as polyester, polypropylene, merino wool, etc.
• Rain Gear – waterproof jacket and pants or high-quality poncho, breathable fabric such as Gore-Tex® or coated nylon. For the pants look for side zippers that will easily allow pulling them over footwear.
• Casual Clothing & Footwear – comfortable clothes and shoes to wear in the evening after activities.

Important Note: Please, no cotton hiking/cycling clothes. Synthetic clothing is very efficient in drying quickly. Merino wool material clothing is also efficient in drying quickly, is comfortable to wear and has the advantage of not developing a bad odor after use.

• Backpack – a 30-45 Liter sized comfortable pack with a waterproof cover for use day-to-day while hiking.
• Personal Luggage – small duffel bag, rolling suitcase or backpack – for extra hiking clothes and casual clothes. (Note: Guests will have to handle/manage this bag personally while boarding the train on day 6 to Camogli.)
• Hydration System – 2+ liters capacity, either water bottles or bladder/hose system and an additional water bottle
• Trekking Poles – telescopic/adjustable poles to help reduce the impact on joints and support hikers in steep and/or rocky terrain. (Note: strongly recommended)
• Headlamp – preferably with an L.E.D. bulb that works with AA or AAA batteries (Note: always test headlamp before trips and travel/pack without batteries in device)
• Picnic/Lunch Kit – knife, plate or bowl, box with closeable lid, utensils, etc.
• Phone & Charger – local sim card or international plan may be needed. Consider bringing a small power bank to use to recharge devices during trip activities.
• Waterproof Travel Case or Pouch – used to keep important documents (i.e. passport, health/travel insurance, etc.) & phone safe from weather/water
• Sunglasses, Sunscreen, & Lip Balm
• First Aid Kit – see first aid kit suggestions below*
• Personal Toilet Paper Kit – most public restrooms outside of lodging will have toilet paper available, but it is good to be prepared with a personal toilet paper kit to potentially use during portions of this tour.
• Toiletries
• Contact Lenses & Glasses – if wearing contact lenses, please also bring back-up pair of glasses and contacts.
• Prescription Medication – with emergency back-up supply.
• Money – It is good to have some local currency, often smaller local businesses do not accept credit cards and/or prefer cash. Some public restrooms require small amounts of cash to use.

• Face Masks; Over-the-counter Rapid Antigen COVID-19 Tests (Note: recommended but optional)
• Travel Power Adapter – Electric power voltage in Italy is 230 V / 50 Hz and the plugs are F & L type
• Support Braces – consider bringing any joint braces that may be currently needed or from past injuries (i.e. knee, ankle, elbow, etc.)
• Sleep Mask & Ear Plugs
• Bug Repellent
• Quick Drying Towel or Bandana(s)
• Swimsuit

After years of experience planning adventure travel around the world, we've learned that anything can happen, and every traveler should carry a basic personal first aid kit. We want to ensure our guests are well-prepared and make smart informed travel decisions. In many of the places we operate trips, it may be challenging to find certain medications and/or first aid supplies, and sometimes common items you desire may not be available in the destination you are travelling. That's why it's good to be prepared and carry a small supply of first aid supplies, any prescription medication, and/or over-the-counter medications you may require during your travels.

We recommend discussing your travel plans, vaccination requirements, and any medication usage with your primary healthcare provider before embarking on our trips. This helps ensure you have a safe and enjoyable travel experience.

Here is a basic list of what we think makes a good personal travel first aid kit:

• Medications – Brands of your choice, all medications should be either prescribed directly by your doctor or discussed with a doctor prior to use.
• Electrolyte Replacement/Drink Mix – brand of choice
• Creams – Antibiotic ointment, Anti-Itch: Hydrocortisone, Arnica
• Eye Problems: Dry/Itchy – Eye drops
• Feminine Hygiene – Tampons
• Wound Care – a various pack of bandages, antiseptic swabs
• Blister Care – blister kit made up of items of your choice
• Sun Protection – sunscreen, SPF lip balm
• Various Items – Athletic tape/”KT Tape”, Nail clippers, Tweezers, Small bottle of hand sanitizer, Sewing kit (clothing/button repairs), Disposable surgical gloves (1-2 pairs)

PACKING FOR TRAVEL:

It is recommended that you prepare your items in the following manner for your travels to this trip.

“Carry-on Bag(s)” - This is the bag you will bring with you on the plane. We recommend all your pertinent information be in this bag (passport, travel documents, etc.) as well as your most important gear items (hiking footwear, jacket, prescription medication, etc.) in case any checked luggage items become lost or delayed.

“Checked Bag(s)” - This bag will be checked and contain the rest of your personal items (clothing and gear, etc.).

Important Note: Again, it is recommended to either wear or pack in your “Carry-on Bag” the main gear items you need for this trip vs. putting them in your checked “Travel Bag” (in case luggage is delayed). Hiking footwear is probably the hardest item to replace last minute if items become lost or delayed past the intended start date of the trip. Lost or delayed luggage has become more common in major airports for international travel since the global pandemic.

LUGGAGE MANAGEMENT DURING TRIP:

During this trip, the packing system needs to be in 2 bags.

Extra Luggage - “Checked Bag(s)” & ”Carry-on Bag(s)”: This bag will contain all the items you want to bring along on the trip. It will be transferred by vehicle/train and stay at hotels. You will have access to it at the end of each day of activity.

Day Backpack (not provided): All guests need a backpack, which they will be responsible for carrying during trip activities. Items in this bag should include anything you may need throughout the day during the trip. (i.e., rain gear, warm layers, water, sunscreen/lip balm, snacks/food, camera/phone, etc.).

Italy, a member of the European Union, capital city: Rome.

Documents

Travellers from the European Union, including children, need a valid identity card or passport. Check with the authorities in your home country for the conditions of entering this destination.

Health/Insurance

Do not forget your card and/or policy details for your health insurance and/or travel insurance.

Italy Country Code: +39

European Emergency Services: 112

Italian tourist information office phone number: +390142660366.

Italian Tourism: Discover Italy: Official Tourism Website - Italia.it.

Cinque Terre Tourism: Welcome to Cinque Terre » Cinque Terre Consorzio Turistico

Cinque Terre National Park: Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre (parconazionale5terre.it)

Central European Time (CET/UTC+1) and Central European Summer Time (CEST/UTC+2) during daylight saving time.

Italian. Tourist area employees almost always speak some English.

Mediterranean climate. Thanks to its coastal location, winters are not too harsh, and summers are not too hot. The average winter temperatures are around 12-14°C / 54-57°F while in summer, temperatures are about 30°C/86°F.

Italy is a Member-State of the European Union and uses its uniform currency – the Euro €. Italy, as is the case with the other Member-States of the E.U. uses eight coins as follows: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1 and 2 Euros. The banknotes are issued in the following denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euros. Currency exchange rates are clearly displayed in every bank that accepts currency exchange, while credit card holders may acquire money from the ATMs of the collaborating banks. Italian banks are open for the public from 8:00 to 13:00 and from 14:30 to 16:30 Monday to Friday. They are closed on Public Holidays. Euros can also be exchanged for notes of other foreign currencies at exchange offices that are situated at the airport and certain main ports, in the larger cities, as well as at many tourist destinations. A passport is required when exchanging currencies. Italy more than other EU destinations, still prefer cash in most settings, but credit card use is becoming more and more available.

Cinque Terre Portofino at the scale of 1:50,000 Cinque Terre Portofino Hiking Map - Italy

National Park of the Cinque Terre

Monterosso, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Riomaggiore are the five villages that comprise the Cinque Terre. This extraordinary site is classified as world heritage by UNESCO. The National Park was created with a decree issued by the President of the Republic on October 6th, 1999.

You can find all the information you want on the following web site: http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/

Monterosso: Is the biggest village of the Cinque Terre. The village is divided into two parts by a rocky bar that dives into the sea. This is the village with the biggest number of infrastructures and with the largest beach for tourists and boaters. As far as culture is concerned, you must not miss the church of the Capuchin fathers. From the church, there is an extraordinary view over the other coastal villages.

Manarola: This village is surprising because it starts on the seaside and then, climbs the hill and totally covers the rocky promontory where it is built. In Manarola, you will find the splendid Gothic Church Saint Laurent that dates back to the middle of the 14th century. It is in Manarola that the famous path “dell’amore” starts and goes towards the village of Riomaggiore.

Corniglia: the village is perched on a hill. Its name comes from an old Roman family, the “Cornelia”. It is the only village of the Cinque Terre that is not linked to the sea. It is surrounded with vineyards that bring prosperity to the village.

Vernazza: this is the most picturesque village. Its founders are an old Roman family, the “Vulnetia”. The village has expanded along the stream Vernazzola. This village owes its prosperity to its strategic importance. The Castle of Doria is the best evidence of this prosperity.

Riomaggiore: it is the end of the path “dell’amore”. It is a former fishing village, probably founded in the 8th century by Greek refugees fleeing the persecution led by Leone III Isaurico. Above the village, you can see the sanctuary of Montenero that is dedicated to the Virgin. Some buildings in the village date back to the 13th century.