Walking by the sea in spring is always a beautiful experience. Nature awakens, the air fills with scents, and the landscape is enriched with colors. In this article, we propose the itinerary from Levanto to Monterosso, in Liguria, in the Cinque Terre National Park.

Trekking: Levanto - Monterosso (Liguria, Cinque Terre National Park)

The trek I propose in this itinerary can be a valid alternative to the traditional itineraries between the Cinque Terre villages, which (except on weekdays in winter), in addition to requiring a fee, are often crowded these days (at least, the "low" trails). The memories of my youthful hikes on uncrowded trails are now just fond memories. The itinerary between Levanto and Monterosso, on the other hand, is less popular but equally pleasant and scenic, with the added bonus of a possible mid-route stop at Podere Lovara, managed by the FAI (Italian Environment Trust).

To begin the itinerary in the same direction as ours, you depart conveniently from the seafront in Levanto, a charming village in eastern Liguria.

You then reach the eastern end of the walk, and under a portico, you can see clear signs for the entrance to the steps leading to Monterosso (see our map below). The steps immediately climb steeply and lead to the road above (Via al Mesco), which you will alternately follow and leave for the first part of the walk. The route then turns south, offering beautiful views of the Bay of Levanto and the rocky coast to the west. It then gradually begins to curve east, heading towards Monterosso. In this first section of the route (for at least 2 km), the climb is predominant, never extreme, but continuous.

Afterwards, the slope eases off, alternating between relaxing flat sections and others with a few short ramps. You then pass through some stretches of holm oak forest and scrubland, which can offer some refreshment in the summer. You then pass another ramp, with a rather uneven path and several rocks and boulders on the pavement, and you then reach a beautiful panoramic point, with a prominent rock on a cliff overlooking the small beaches below (about 3 km from the start). You then begin to glimpse the Podere Lovara, on a slope exposed to the WSW. With a wide detour to the north, east, and then south, you reach the beautiful rural complex, renovated and managed by the FAI. Here you can buy local products (we tasted a delicious Chinotto and a mandarin drink), or where you can access the farm grounds (picnic tables, with a beautiful view of the sea), paying an entrance fee.

Continuing, you quickly reach the ruins of the church of Sant'Antonio, above Punta Mesco. From here, Monterosso, our destination, finally appears, offering a breathtaking view of the entire Cinque Terre coast, all the way to the beautiful Porto Venere. Below the ruins of the church are several military outposts dating back to World War II. Here, too, man has revealed his more spiritual, as well as his more sadly earthly side. The sea in front of and below Punta Mesco is a marine reserve of considerable value and naturalistic interest, especially for its large colonies of red, black, and even (quite rare) white coral. Now begins the steep and fast descent, sometimes with steps, which in a few dozen minutes makes you lose all the difference in height overcome (about 370 meters), and brings you back to sea level, and to the beautiful, but often crowded Monterosso, with its wide beach of light sand, and the picturesque village behind the castle, perched on the sea (7 km and about 1 hour and 45 minutes - 2 hrs of walking).

We returned to Levanto by train, only to discover that Trenitalia has raised the price of a ticket for the few kilometers between the Cinque Terre villages to a whopping €10 per person. Frankly, this is incomprehensible, given that Trenitalia provides a public service, which shouldn't be purely for profit, and that train travel should be encouraged over driving. Those in good shape can return to Levanto on foot, following a circular route that follows a shorter, more internal route (starting from Via Mesco, near the train station, and crossing between Montefocone and Montenegro).

The route is also suitable for school-age children accustomed to walking. We recommend avoiding the hottest hours of the summer. Spring, for the scents and colors of the flowers, is the recommended time. From Levanto, it is possible, with a short path that proceeds in a westerly direction, to reach the pleasant and quiet town of Bonassola, and the enchanting little church of the Madonnina della Punta, at the end of Via Roma.

Enjoy your walk! Fabio 

Click here for the complete slide gallery of the excursion