Cinque Terre and the Riviera spezzina – Hiking the Blue and Green Trail

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THE JOURNEY - 4 Days

 

"To watch, through leaves, the distant shimmer
of fragments of sea,
while the trembling chirping
of cicadas rises from the bare hills."

From: Meriggiare pallido e assorto, Eugenio Montale, 1916




Walking in the Cinque Terre is a true celebration of spring. By March, the scents of the Mediterranean are already intense, the sun is warm on your skin, and even when a brief shower passes by, rainbows are never far away. For four days, we explore the region with a light backpack, using the peaceful seaside village of Bonassola as our base. Each morning we set off either by train or directly on foot, walking from village to village along some of Liguria's most beautiful trails. The stages are relatively short, allowing plenty of time to wander through the narrow alleys and historic lanes of the villages at a relaxed pace. Beyond the famous routes of the Cinque Terre, we continue our exploration along the Blue and Green Trail beyond Monterosso, reaching Framura, far from the crowds and immersed in a quieter, more authentic side of the Ligurian coast.

Useful Information

  • Nature guide
  • Additional charge for small groups - please refer to "notes"
  • Historical and cultural tour
  • Nature tour

Description

Day 1 – From Framura to Bonassola

Meet in Bonassola between 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. After check-in, a short train ride takes us to Framura. We begin with an afternoon walk along the hillside trails, with a possible stop in Montaretto. Arrival in Bonassola and dinner in the village (5.4 km, 2 hrs 30 min walking, +280 m ascent, -290 m descent) ).

Day 2 – From Manarola to Vernazza

By train we visit Riomaggiore, then from Manarola we climb to Volastra, a small village surrounded by olive groves. A trail winding through terraced vineyards leads us down to Corniglia, from where we continue to Vernazza. Free dinner in the village and return to Bonassola by train (9.6 km, 4 hrs walking, +500 m ascent, -650 m descent) ).

Day 3 – From Bonassola to Monterosso

In the morning, the Blue and Green Trail leads us to Levanto. In the afternoon we tackle the climb to Punta del Mesco, walking through ancient holm oak woods to the ruins of the Romanesque Hermitage of Saint Anthony. We then reach Monterosso, the first of the Cinque Terre villages. Return to Bonassola by train and dinner in the village (10.8 km, 5 hrs walking, +575 m ascent, -575 m descent)

Day 4 – From Vernazza to Monterosso

By train we return to Vernazza to walk the final section of the Blue and Green Trail. Farewell lunch in Monterosso before returning to Bonassola (4.3 km, 2 hrs walking, +200 m ascent, -220 m descent) )

 

Contact us

What is included

Notes

Departure: Meeting point at Bonassola Railway Station between 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. The village is served by the Trenitalia railway line connecting Genoa and Pisa.

Return: Departure from Bonassola is scheduled between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Accommodation: B&B or apartment.

Highlights:

  • Walking with sea views throughout the journey
  • Exploring the terraced vineyards of the Cinque Terre
  • Beyond the Cinque Terre: discovering the trails between Framura and Levanto

Guide: Roberta Ferraris, certified AIGAE hiking guide for the Piedmont region and licensed tour leader. She is the author of the Cinque Terre guidebook published by Touring Club Italiano and Slow Food.

Difficulty Level: Moderate. The trails of the Cinque Terre follow historic mule tracks with numerous stone steps and significant elevation changes, although the climbs are generally short.

The Itinerary: This is a center-based journey with a light daypack. Walking takes place on trails and historic mule tracks, with a few sections along minor roads and seaside promenades. In the event of bad weather or trail closures, the trip will still go ahead with alternative routes and experiences.

Food & Local Specialties: Lunches provide an excellent opportunity to taste some of Liguria's most iconic street foods, including farinata, focaccia, takeaway fried seafood, and Levanto's traditional gattafin. Dinners feature fresh seafood, trofie al pesto, and excellent local wines.

Meals: Two dinners at local restaurants are included. One dinner is at leisure and can be arranged independently. Lunches are not included.

Region, Society & Environment: The Cinque Terre are both a National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for the outstanding quality of their landscape, shaped by centuries of harmonious interaction between farming communities and nature. Only by walking can one truly appreciate the scale and beauty of the terraced landscape, which today faces the challenge of abandonment. Nevertheless, positive examples of land restoration can be seen thanks to conservation efforts by public authorities and private agricultural enterprises. The growing popularity of the Cinque Terre has also made the area increasingly vulnerable, and the effects of overtourism are clearly visible.

For further information, please contact the guide at +39 334 226 5612.

 

Before leaving

  • A valid ID card or passport is required
  • Comfortable outdoor clothing and hiking boots (preferably high-ankle)
  • Walking poles (strongly recommended)
  • Backpack and rain cover
  • A small umbrella or waterproof poncho
  • Fleece or other warm layer, windproof jacket, and long trousers
  • Water bottle

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