The Riviera di Levante and Cinque Terre form a stunning stretch of coastline, linked by an equally dramatic coastal path. Heading south over a succession of fragrant headlands our trail leads us to the five remarkable villages of the Cinque Terre, each perched above the cliffs.

Detailed information

	Detailed itinerary
	Dates and prices
	Average temperatures
	Travel to resort

Detailed itinerary

45 miles. 7-10 miles and up to 2,000ft of ascent per day.

Day 1: Arrival day

Day 2: Sestri Levante to Moneglia
Distance: 9 miles (14km) with 2,180ft (665m) of ascent
Our walk starts from the seaside resort of Sestri Levante, the northernmost point on our holiday. Leaving the town behind we stay mainly within the Moneglia Nature Park. The park offers one of the most beautiful examples of Mediterranean scrub and is dominated by olive trees. We climb higher through chestnut woods and hazel we reach the headland of Punta Manara, which offers wonderful panoramas of the Riviera di Levante. After a couple of miles we descend back to the sea at Riva di Ponete, once a ship building community. Leaving the town behind the second ascent of the day takes us up onto the headland of Punta Baffe where we follow a superb path high on the hillside. Finally we come to the sweeping horseshoe of Moneglia Bay and the return train to Bonassola.

Day 3: Moneglia to Bonassola
Distance: 8½ miles (13km) with 2,550ft (780m) of ascent
A short train journey north brings us to the seaside resort of Moneglia where the beach was once defended by two castles. Our route today involves three separate ascents, divided by a return to the coast at Deiva Marina and Framura. On the first stretch we make our way high above the blue waters, reputed to be the most unspoilt in Italy, before descending to gentle sandy shores of Deiva Marina along a tree lined path. The town is protected from the winds by the surrounding hills and guarantees a calm sea and mild temperatures in every season. A second steep ascent takes us over Mount Serra to the natural bay at Framura with its fine sandy beach and port. A final stretch along the coast to Monte Pastorelli brings us over the final headland and down to our hotel in Bonassola.

Day 4: Bonassola to Monterosso
Distance: 9½ miles (15km) with 1,485ft (455m of ascent)
From Bonassola we continue south-east, crossing the headland that separates the town from its larger neighbour, of Levanto. This is the largest resort on the walk and we can break here for morning coffee. Our walk continues along the remote headland of Coast del Semaforo to reach the ruined chapel of St Antonio del Mesco. From here we get our first glimpse of the stunning Cinque Terre and the walk ahead. Finally we descend to Monterosso and have the opportunity to explore the first of these enchanting villages.

Day 5: Free day

Day 6: Monterosso to Riomaggiore
Distance: 12km (7½ miles); 1,640ft (500m) of ascent
This is a superb day as we follow the very popular path that links the five Cinque Terre villages. Throughout the year numerous visitors choose to walk this stretch. Whilst the coastline is justifiably popular the coast path can become very crowded - be prepared to wait your turn at the top or bottom of steps or where the path narrows. We start at Monterosso and head out of the village over the rocks on the hewn path to picturesque Vernazza, with its little harbour. From Vernazza to Corniglia is similar walking to the previous stage but not quite so strenuous. The path is lined with olive trees, whose fruits are prolific but useless for oil-production due to the sea air. Corniglia is the only one of the five villages not directly on the coast and instead it sits high on a headland. A walk through the narrow streets brings you to yet another stunning viewpoint along the coast. Manorola is the penultimate village where the tiny harbour is squeezed between rocky headlands. This is a particularly colourful village with all the building painted in a different colour. From Manorola to Riomaggiore the path is know as the Via Dell Amore, or 'path of the lovers'. A concrete walkway that clings to the cliff provides some of the easiest and most spectacular walking of the day as we round the headland to Riomaggiore.

Day 7: Riomaggiore to Portovenere
Distance: 14km (9 miles); 1,730ft (528m) of ascent
On the final day of our journey we leave the Cinque Terre behind and continue to the tip of the peninsula at Portovenere. Leaving Riomaggiore we ascend up through the woods. Having ascended some 500 metres we come up to a cafe at the Col de Telegrafo for welcome refreshment. From here we stay on 'Route 1' a path that follows the spine of the hills above the coast. Gradually the views open out to reveal the Mediterranean on the right and the huge expanse of La Spezia harbour to the right. Soon we start to descend gradually towards Portvenere. Ahead are the islands of Palmaria and Tino which lie beyond the tip of the peninsula. Now descending more steeply we have a tremendous panorama of the town below, its remarkable fortress and its hilly island just offshore. Having reached our walk's end at Portovenere we catch a boat to either Manarola or La Spezia and from here to Bonassola by train; a fine way to end a superb walk.

Day 8: Departure day

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Dates and prices

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Average temperatures

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Travel to resort

Transfer from airport - If you book this holiday 'with flight' you will arrive at Pisa airport. The onward journey to Bonassola by coach takes around 2hrs.

Latest HF Holidays flight information updated 23/08/07 (provisional).

British Airways
Gatwick - Pisa
Out 08:00 - 11:10
Return 11:55 - 13:05

Jet 2
Manchester - Pisa
Out 09:45-13:10
Return 13:40-15:10
Manchester flight supplement: on request.

Airport Parking: To book secure airport parking throughout the UK visit Purple Parking or Holiday Extras to book on-line.

Airport Hotels: To book airport hotels throughout the UK visit Holiday Extras to book on-line.

Airport Lounges: To book airport lounges visit Holiday Extras to book on-line.

Making your own travel arrangements

Flights to Pisa: The nearest and most convenient airport is at Pisa.

www.ryanair.com flights from Stansted, Liverpool and Glasgow Prestwick.

www.easyjet.com flights from Bristol.

www.jet2.com flights from Manchester.

www.ba.com flights from Gatwick and Manchester.

•  The easiest option is to join the HF Holidays' transfer (supplement £17 single). This provisionally departs Pisa Airport at 13:30, arriving back the following Saturday at 10:00. Please contact our Reservations Dept to book your place.

•  Pisa Airport has its own railway station and you could travel by train from here to Bonassola. Trains take approximately 2½ hours and involves changing at Pisa Centrale and La Spezia. Italian trains are very cheap and a single ticket should cost about €14. For train times and further information visit the Italian railways website: www.trenitalia.com, select 'Englidh' on the top line. Upon arrival at Bonassola station it is just a couple of hundred metres walk to the hotel.

Flights to Genoa: Genoa Airport is equally convenient but has a smaller range of flights:

www.ryanair.com flights from Stansted,

•  From Genoa Airport you would first need to take the number 100 bus to the central railway station. Buses run every 30 minutes and currently cost €3 per journey - see www.airport.genova.it . From Genoa trains take between 1½ to 2 hours to reach Bonassola, depending on the number of stops. For train times and further information visit the Italian railways website: www.trenitalia.com. Upon arrival at Bonassola station it is just a couple of hundred metres walk to the hotel.

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