Walking Holiday in Portofino and the Cinque Terre
About this trip.
The five villages of the Cinque Terre
Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso cling to a strip of Ligurian coast so steep that for centuries the main route between them was a footpath cut into the cliff. That path — the Sentiero Azzurro and its higher, older variants — is what this holiday is built around. Eight days, seven nights, walking from Portofino in the north down to Portovenere at the southern end, with the five Cinque Terre villages threaded through the middle.
It's worth being honest about the character of the place. The Cinque Terre is busy — in high season, uncomfortably so — and the villages themselves are small, photogenic and well aware of their own appeal. What rescues the walking is that most day-trippers arrive by train and stay on the lower waterfronts. Once you're a hundred metres up on the old mule tracks, moving through vineyard terraces and holm oak, the crowds thin quickly and the coast opens up.
From Portofino to Portovenere
The route begins near Portofino, the little harbour at the tip of its own protected peninsula, and works south along the Golfo del Tigullio before crossing into the Cinque Terre national park. The five villages come one after another, each one a cluster of ochre and pink houses stacked above a small harbour, linked by trails that rise and fall steeply between them.
From Monterosso, the northernmost of the five, the walking continues south towards the Gulf of Poets and finishes at Portovenere — a fortified village at the mouth of La Spezia's bay, with a small Romanesque church set out on the rocks and a quieter feel than the Cinque Terre proper. The days vary in length and effort; some sections involve long flights of stone steps rather than gradual path, which is a feature of Ligurian walking generally.
The practical side
Macs Adventure runs this as a self-guided holiday. You walk at your own pace, with luggage moved between hotels, route notes and maps provided, and a local support line if anything goes sideways. Accommodation is in small hotels in or near the villages along the route, and you travel between start and finish points on foot, with the occasional use of the coastal train or ferry where trails are closed or too exposed.
It suits reasonably fit walkers who are happy with several hours on their feet and plenty of ascent and descent, rather than gentle seaside strolling. The best windows are late April to early June and September to October, when the weather is warm without being oppressive and the villages are busy but not overrun. Booking is usually made several months ahead, particularly if you want a specific start date in shoulder season. Shorter variants of the route exist, but the eight-day run from Portofino to Portovenere is the full-length version and the one that gives you the whole coast rather than a slice of it.
The shape of the trip.
What's typically in the price, what isn't.
A general guide for walking holidays of this kind. Check the operator's booking page for the final inclusions on this specific trip.
Typically included
- ✓Hotel accommodation, double or twin en-suite rooms
- ✓Daily breakfast at each hotel
- ✓Luggage transfer between hotels on every walking day
- ✓Detailed route notes with maps and GPX files
- ✓24/7 support line in English for the duration of the trip
Typically not included
- ×Flights to and from the country of travel
- ×Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- ×Lunches — typically a village picnic or café stop
- ×Some evening meals — depends on the specific itinerary
- ×Alcohol beyond any wine included with set dinners
- ×Optional room or transfer upgrades
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1How hard is it really?
The grading is set by the operator and usually reflects daily distance and total ascent. As a rule of thumb: if you can comfortably manage a 5-6 hour hillwalk at home on a weekend, a moderate-graded route will be fine. Read the day-by-day notes carefully, and train with a loaded pack in the months before.
Q2Can I do this solo?
Yes — self-guided walking holidays are well suited to solo travellers, and some operators waive the single-room supplement on certain departures. The route notes are written for confident independent walkers, and most operators run a 24/7 support line.
Q3Do I need to speak the language?
No. Hotels and restaurants on the route are used to English-speaking walkers. A phrasebook for menus and a few polite basics (hello, thank you, please) is all you really need. The operator's support line speaks English.
Q4Can I bring my dog?
Some routes are dog-friendly, others aren't — it depends on whether all the accommodation on the itinerary accepts dogs. Check with the operator before booking. If you do bring a dog, you'll need a pet passport, up-to-date rabies vaccination, and a lead for villages.
Q5What if it rains?
The route is walkable in rain — your luggage travels ahead regardless, so you'll always arrive somewhere dry. Some trails get slippery in wet weather and the operator's support line can arrange a taxi for any stage if conditions are properly bad.
Q6How do I get there from the UK?
Most routes are reachable by a short flight to a nearby airport, followed by train or transfer. The operator will usually point you at the nearest airport and can advise on rail connections. Some will book train tickets on your behalf for a small fee.
Q7Can I shorten or extend it?
Usually yes. Many operators offer shorter versions of a route as a standalone, and most will add extra nights at the start or end at their own rates. Ask when you enquire — they'll tailor it before booking.
Q8What about cancellation?
Typically a deposit (usually 20-25%) is taken at booking, with the balance due 8-10 weeks before departure. The operator's own terms apply — Mooch doesn't handle the booking or refunds. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Three walking holidays, side-by-side.
Other walking holidays on Mooch in the same spirit. All prices per person, from the operator.
