5 Terre Alta Via _27/28 September

Saturday programme:

DISTANCE: 8.5 km / LEVEL: +400m

Meeting point at Milano Centrale station at 07.45 (Milan 8.05-Levanto 10.58) intercity 657.

LIGURIA! We set off from Levanto along a little-known and beautiful path! From the beach, we climb along panoramic mule tracks and cobbled or unpaved paths. The fatigue is repaid by the wonderful Mediterranean scrub that we pass through: among maritime pines, holm oaks and mastic trees, there are glimpses of the sea. We reach Punta Mesco where there is a spectacular view of the five villages of the Cinque Terre! We pass by the Hermitage of Sant’Antonio del Mesco, an ancient place of worship! We glide over the splendid Gulf of Poets, reaching the sea at Monterosso where we can refresh ourselves with a good dip in the water or a cool cocktail!. By taxi, we reach the guesthouse 500m above the sea, where we enjoy an appetising dinner in a peaceful and wonderful place.

Sunday programme

DISTANCE: 14 km / DEVELOPMENT: +500m / -950m

We get up early (we walk in the cool, the path is beautiful, easy, 14km long) Breakfast at the hotel at 7:00-7:30, by 7:45 we set off along the Alta Via, a path just below the ridge mostly in the shade, among chestnut trees, holm oaks and the aromatic vegetation of the Mediterranean maquis. Surrounded by olive trees, we pass through the picturesque Volastra, known as the ‘sixth’ of the 5 terre. We stop for a well-deserved picnic: focaccia, olives, cheese, fresh pesto and some fresh 5 Terre DOC white wine! The panorama opens up to the sea, and we continue through the sciacchetrà vineyards to a splendid village, Manarola . We peruse narrow streets and scenic terraces, resting perhaps with a meditation passito wine like sciacchetrà!

By train we return to Milan (departure Manarola 16:58, change in La Spezia (17:44) arrival in Milan approx. 20:40).