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Hiking in Liguria, along the Blue-Green Path

Beautiful hiking days through stunning paths meeting incredible life stories.
A joy to all senses: the perfume of the maquis, the tastes of local cuisine and wines, the peace of a natural oasis far away from traffic, the shiny colors: the blue of the Protected Marine Area, the green of the rich vegetation, the pastel colors of the villages.
Along the Sentiero Verdeazzurro (Blue-Green Path), crossing the world-famous trail of the Cinque Terre linking five little villages, and others less known paths that also have fascinating stories to tell. Every day we will cross traces of hard work: dry stone walls and cultivation terraces on a steep and rough coast overlooking the sea.
The unique characteristics of this territory influenced man, and man modified the territory, in a long dialogue that modeled a coast that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as a cultural landscape “represents the harmonious interaction between people and nature to produce a landscape of exceptional scenic quality.”

Photo by Nikita Krassiouk on Unsplash

The travel day by day

Itinerary in Liguria

Day 1

Meeting with the guide in Levanto in the afternoon.
Visit to the town and free time at the seaside.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel in Levanto.

Day 2

Breakfast at the Hotel.
Hike from Levanto to Punta Mesco and Monterosso.

Difficulty: moderate
Ascent: 420 m
Descent: 420 m
Walking time (excluding stops): 4h
Km 8

Going gently uphill through the Mediterranean scrub of the Cinque Terre National Park, to reach spectacular viewpoints, and then descend to the biggest and most north-western of the five villages: Monterosso. This first walk provides an overall view of the surrounding area: to the east we can see the entire coast of the Cinque Terre until the islands Palmaria and Tino, while to the west the view stretches to the promontories of Sestri Levante and Portofino.

Train from Monterosso to Levanto, dinner and overnight at the Hotel.

Day 3

Breakfast at the Hotel.
Hike from Levanto to Framura, crossing Bonassola and Montaretto.

Difficulty: medium
Ascent: 550 m
Descent: 550 m
Walking time (excluding stops): 5h
Km 10

The itinerary goes panoramically in the opposite direction of the previous day, and it reaches firstly Bonassola with its long beach, then the small hilly village of Montaretto, at 300 meters above sea level. Here we will listen directly to the inhabitants’ voice, telling their peculiar story of resistance: the reverse strike that engaged every inhabitant to build the road that would connect them to the rest of the world. Then we will continue walking towards the sea, downhill to Framura.

Light lunch at “Casa del Popolo” of Montaretto and visit of the village hosted by a local association.
Train from Framura to Levanto, dinner and overnight at the Hotel.

Day 4

Breakfast at the Hotel.
Train to Sestri Levante.
Hike to Punta Manara and back.

Difficulty: easy
Ascent: 300 m
Descent: 300m
Walking time (excluding stops): 3,5h
Km 8

A ring-like hike along a beautiful promontory immersed in the Mediterranean vegetation: forests of
strawberry tree, heather, myrtle, maritime pines and cork oaks. We will get to the amazing viewpoint of Punta Manara, to embrace the blue horizon, and have our picnic. Back in Sestri Levante we can take our time for a swim in the picturesque Baia delle Favole or just relax and taste some good focaccia and a glass of wine.

Train to Levanto, dinner and overnight at the Hotel.

Day 5

Breakfast at the Hotel.
Train to Monterosso.
Hike through the Cinque Terre: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia (possibly also to Manarola e Riomaggiore if the path is not closed).

Difficulty: medium
Ascent: 500 m
Descent: 500 m
Walking time (excluding stops): 4,5h
Km 9

Let’s look at one of the most famous and beloved coasts in the world from a different point of view: the trail that connects the Cinque Terre is not only a tourist route… First of all, it is a path carved with effort, stone by stone, by the people who for centuries worked these steep slopes growing vines, olive trees, lemons: small productions of excellence. The art of dry stone walls, dating back to the 12th century, is part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The villages we are crossing will give us the opportunity to get a rest and discover their unique beauty: a toast to it!

Train to Levanto, dinner and overnight at the Hotel.

Day 6

Breakfast at the Hotel.
Train to La Spezia, bus to Porto Venere an ferry to Palmaria island.
Hike on Palmaria island.

Difficulty: easy
Ascent: 300 m
Descent: 300 m
Walking time (excluding stops): 3h
Km 6

Just a five minutes boat ride from Porto Venere, Palmaria is the biggest of the three small islands in front of this stretch of coast: an archipelago that belongs to the World UNESCO Heritage Site too for its beauty. We will explore the island with a ring-like hike that will bring us from the almost flat eastern side, to the rocky and high western one: here we will find old quarries of dark and precious marble, called Portoro for its streaks of gold (oro). If the weather is warm, a swim is a must!
The medieval village of Porto Venere is a jewel we cannot miss to discover, with its fortress-houses, the typical “carugio” (narrow main street) and the church of St. Peter on a rocky spur washed by waves.

Ferry to Porto Venere, visit to the village, then bus to La Spezia and train to Levanto.
Dinner and overnight at the Hotel.

Day 7

Breakfast at the Hotel.
Train to Camogli.
Hike to San Fruttuoso and Portofino.

This is one of the most beautiful hike you can do in Italy, in the Natural Park on the promontory that separates gulf Paradiso, with Camogli, and gulf Tigullio, with Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure. Between these two gulfs rises a 610 meters high mount, displaying a variety of vegetation from the Mediterranean scrub to chestnut woods, beautiful little hamlets, a protected marine area and artistic and cultural jewels such as The Abbey of San Fruttuoso.

Difficulty: medium
Ascent: 600 m
Descent: 600 m
Walking time (excluding stops): 5,5h
Km 14

Ferry to Santa Margherita Ligure and train to Levanto.
Dinner and overnight at the Hotel.

Day 8

Breakfast at the Hotel.
Time to say goodbye!

Travel information

It is possible to shorten the program of the number of days required, planning the favorite hikes. This program may be to change, before and during the journey. Changes are based on the climate, the needs of travelers and the people that host the group of travelers.

Local representative

During the stay, professional nature and interpretive AIGAE guide will be at your disposal.

Level of difficulty

Moderate (out of five categories: Easy, Moderate, Medium, Challenging, Difficult). 6 walking days. This itinerary is suitable to everybody, however mountain-walking training is desirable. The trails do not pose major challenges.

Available dates

All year round. During the Summer the temperature can be quite hot, and this requires a higher effort. For more information see the document How we travel, which can be consulted on the website or requested directly from the agency.

Prices

Rates per person for the 8-day tour for a group of:

	Individual rate in euros
	6-15 people
Adults	1010,00

FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING THE PRICING TAB YOU MAY CONTACT THE AGENT

What is included:

support from a qualified hiking guide
accommodation in a double / multiple room with half board
visit and light lunch of Day 3 in Montaretto
all public means of transportation described in the program
Cinque Terre card on Day 4
our tailored assistance
ViaggieMiraggi share

What is not included:

round trip to and from Levanto
travel, medical and cancellation insurance
drinks (where not included)
all packed lunches
city taxes
personal expenses, anything not expressly mentioned items
entrance fees to museums or monuments

All quotations are subject to availability at the time of confirming a booking

Conditions

The minimum number of participants required to complete the trip is 6 people. The maximum is 15. Travellers will be informed 15 days prior to departure, in order to confirm.