Trekking in Portofino Park

The promontory of Portofino is a peninsula that throws into the Ligurian Sea between the cities of Camogli (to the west) and Santa Margherita Ligure (east). Spaces are not large and places are very famous, yet the trails allow you to immerse yourself in peace of nature. Trekking in Portofino is therefore one of the best ways to enjoy this beautiful natural park. (The other is the Canoe !)

One of the typical points of departure of the trails is Santa Margherita Ligure, well connected with trains and boats. The hiking itinerary that goes from Santa Margherita to Portofino is very beaten: he starts walking over the sea, next to the street, with splendid views of the Gulf of Tigullio, and then entered into the Mediterranean scrub. Alternatively, you can take one of the highest trails, for example in the direction of Madonna della Neve: it is done a little more than ascent, but has rewarded from peace and beautiful views, immersed in the vegetation apart from some meetings with some villas Luxurious and their exaggerated gardens.

In both cases, travel time from Santa Margherita Ligure in Portofino is about an hour.

Arrived in Portofino, you can spend 10 euros for a table cup at the table, or take it to take away at a cheaper price and continue towards San Fruttuoso, along a steep staircase.

Here too, of course, there are various alternative itineraries that intercheck: those closer to the sea are generally more scenic, given that the woods on the Monte di Portofino are generally very dense. The trail from Portofino to San Fruttuoso is certainly more imposing than that from Santa Margherita Ligure in Portofino. The landscape is green, lush, with sensational sea views.

Consider about two hours of time for this wonderful part of the trekking.

In high season, ie in warm spring Sundays and in summer, San Fruttuoso is invaded by tourists: it remains splendid, but the beach loses a bit of charm. Out of season, instead, there is only to remain speechless.

The only flaw from arriving here on a beautiful autumn day is that the sun sets early and the last boat that can bring you to Santa Margherita or Camogli part in mid-afternoon (varies depending on the day or season, but could happen that Also at 16: if you make late, you just have to walk!).

If we start early and you are good hikers, you can consider doing all around the promontory, continuing with trekking from San Fruttuoso to Punta Chiappa and Camogli. Alternatively, of course, it is good to try all these wonderful itineraries on different days: each path on the promontory of Portofino gives surprises!

You can choose so many different paths between San Fruttuoso to Camogli, but three are the main ones: the internal one, the pipe path and the coastal path. The itinerary that passes into the promontory (via strette stones) saves several ups and downs and to arrive in less than 3 hours in San Rocco di Camogli (wonderful village, from which Camogli is a half-hour walk or fifteen minutes bus). On the path of narrow stones, however, for large traits you pass into the woods: it is worth making a deviation to the new traffic light to admire the view.
Alternatively, you can opt for one of the most panoramic itineraries on the sea. As mentioned, the first is the pipe path.

This pipe path follows a water pipeline and is not suitable for those suffering from vertigo or claustrophobia. Generally it is open only to those who walk with the guide: in certain traits, in fact, the path is peaked and you have to keep in chains; In others you have to travel long, tight and winding tunnels in the dark (very useful the front). (Ah, if you love the caves, the best of the best is a Finale Ligure !). The views apply fatigue, especially if you take the short and steep detour to Monte Campana.

There is a path that passes even more to the sea than the pipe path. This itinerary at half a coast is one of the most beautiful of the promontory of Portofino and also allows you to touch Cala dell'Oro.

Even these sea path has exposed sections, in which you have to help with chains, so it is not suitable for everyone. On the other hand, it allows you to reach Camogli da San Fruttuoso in about 4 hours without ever giving up wonderful sea views. A detour near the batteries (old military installations) allows you to reach Punta Chiappa also.

From Punta Chiappa you can take the well-kept path that leads to the nearby, wonderful houses on the sea of Porto Pidocchio (where the ferry stops too). From this small fishing village it starts a staircase that goes up to San Nicolò and then in San Rocco di Camogli, from where sunny sunsets are enjoyed by the sea, overlooking the entire Ligurian coast towards Genoa. In all, from Punta Chiarafia to San Rocco di Camogli are just over 2 kilometers and two hundred meters of height difference (1 hour and broken uphill, a lot less downhill). For those who have a free afternoon, the San Rocco di Camogli itinerary - Punta Chiappa is easy and spectacular, and with the possibility of diving into the crystal clear water.

If you want to split your walks to two days Click here to compare the hotels and find the most convenient accommodation.
As mentioned, from the picturesque San Rocco (where you can park, if you are by car) you go down to Camogli (where there is a train station) in one half-hour walk. At Camogli you can refresh yourself with excellent cheese focaccia in one of the most beautiful cities in Liguria.

This page indicates some of the most beautiful paths of the promontory of Portofino, but there are many others. For example, find here a detailed description of the Paths for Cala degli Inglesi e Punta del Gassa , departing from Santa Margherita or Portofino.
This itinerary is one of the many paths between Genoa and Tuscany, all paths and all described to this Page on the trekking in Liguria . To travel the entire west riviera to the east, the previous stage is the one between Recco, Caravaggio and Camogli , while the next route leads from Santa Margherita in Rapallo and Zoagli , passing through San Michele di Pagana, Sant'Ambrogio and San Pantaleo.
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