Walking Holidays Exploring the 

Land of Colours

With Lorenzo

The Orchid Paradise trail
Distance: 7 km approx| Time: 2.5 - 3 hours | Difficulty: easy-moderate | Height gain: 350m

This circular scenic walk circumnavigates the beautiful and most preserved medieval hamlet of Cervo (officially classified as one of the most beautiful in Italy). We will walk through different vegetation environment that constitute the "Mediterranean macchia". The walk starts in the square at the top of Cervo by the old Feudal Castle and descends down a footpath towards the sea and the famous beach of "Porte ghetto". At the bottom a sharp turn to the left will take us on the historic old Roman road, a remnant of this ancient route that conducted to Gaulle. Another sharp left leaves the road and climbs steeply amongst olive trees - an abandoned land which is being recolonized by spontaneous vegetation such as the maritime broom and the Aleppo pine. We then enter the small country park of Ciapa, with thick woodland of Maritime Pine. We keep on the right and reach the promontory that separates Cervo from Andora. Here the view is truly stunning of the sea below and on very clear days, which is often, you can admire the Tuscan coastline. We take a sharp left and arrive on the "colle of Castellareto" which is the first nucleus of the local inhabitants even before the Romans. We keep walking through lovely countryside and it is here that in Spring, the flowers of rare wild orchids can be spotted in the grassland. We walk past the masts on top of the hill and take the sharp road heading south in thick woodland. Eventually the olive groves recolonize the land and we eventually come past some ruins from which the old chapel of San Giuseppe stands proud. Here we leave trail marked 1 and we take no 21 where further down we cross an old bridge and through olive terraces we reach the old square - Cervo. A visit to this medieval village is a must with it's impressive church of St.John the Baptist, beautiful historic palaces, a small museum of the olive oil, and of course lovely trattorias and bars perched high up with fantastic vistas over the sea below.

Le Cinque Terre (The 5 Lands Trail)
Distance: 13.5 km | Time: 5 hours + | Difficulty: Moderate | Height gain: 220 m

This area of Liguria is by excellence one of the best in Italy for it's wonderful walks and not surprisingly very popular. In this area we have a wonderful choice of coastal and high level routes depending on the requirement of the party and almost anything can be customized to suit accordingly.

We begin with the classic "Sentiero Azzurro" or blue trail since it follows all along the sea from Riomaggiore, the first of the famous villages perched on the clifftops above the sea, to the fifth and last called Monterosso (hence the 5 lands). We begin in Riomaggiore in the quaint station square and walk on to the lovers trail (couples beware: many here have asked for marriage vows overwhelmed by the beauty of the landscape and the blue sea below) we walk it's entirety with the stunning views around. We then reach Manarola and cross through the pretty centre towards the direction of the cemetery

This walk is an absolute must for coastal path lovers and ideal if arriving to Genoa Airport where we will arrange to pick you up and drive the short distance away where we can stay in one of the local pensiones (bed and breakfast) on the coast. A wonderful way to start your exciting holiday in Liguria. Trips to the elegant resorts of world famous Portofino and S. Margherita Ligure nearby can of course be arranged at your request, with equally stunning walks in the regional Natural Park of Monte Portofino, to reach the stunning location of S.Fruttuoso.  where we start a steep section and then level out for a nice walk to Corniglia amongst the scent of the local Mediterranean herbs.We descend on a series of long sections of steps to the village where a drink or ice cream is most welcome and then we carry on to Vernazza on a series of lovely bridges and stunning scenery. Here begins the most involved part of the route and the steepest, where care must be exercised on some of the narrow paths. We eventually reach Monterosso crossing through cultivated orchards and vineyards.

Bordighera to Seborga
Distance: 7 km | Time: 2.5 - 3 hours | Difficulty: Easy but steep | Height Gain: 400m


We start at the lovely old citadel of Bordighera alta. The lovely old part of this chic resort once the place of many illustrious visitors. It is here that Monet was inspired to paint many of his masterpieces of the Riviera. We take the well marked out path and then join for a while a road admiring the dramatic sea below and exotic cultivations of flowers which are exported throughout Northern Europe in the winter months. After approximately 40 mins. we reach the truly stunning hamlet of Sasso all built in stone, here it's really worth looking around the ancient alleys and absorbing the medieval atmosphere.

We carry on the incline out of the village and follow the path that will lead us after an hour or so to the very unusual principality of Seborga. This fabulous location has enjoyed Principality status (not recognized by the State) since very ancient times. Once we reach this airy location at above 500 m above s.l. we can wonder the maze of intricate and interesting streets and spend some time here. 
Swallows nest here in vast numbers and the skies seem to be always full of their cheerful and amazing acrobatics. You will also find a Post Office and a Mint in Seborga where they issue their own stamps and coins. Mimosa trees abound around the hills which at this altitude grow extremely well, and in the winter the whole the area is a riot of fabulous yellow with the foliage used commercially in the flower industry. There are many wonderful trattorias with stunning views overlooking the Cote d'Azur and in the foreground Montecarlo. A recommended place to eat and rest for the views is on the veranda of the "Principe" restaurant. From Seborga many paths lead to further scenic walks in the mid mountain range above and the possibilities to walk and hike in the area are endless amongst woods and invigorating air. Our transport will then take us back down to Bordighera alta and depending on time we can visit Villa Garnier, erected by the famous French Architect in 1873, a stunning white building nestling amongst palm groves and now run by an order of nuns which by appointment are happy to let us visit the interesting portico and hallway full of object d'art and the lovely exotic gardens with the sea below.

Please note that another day could easily be spent in Bordighera by visiting other gardens and villas. This place was known in the past century as the paradise of the English who used to spend their whole winter in this remarkablly mild winter location and it is said that they used to outnumber the local 
population. Some of the streets are still named in English and Bordighera houses the Bicknell museum on local history, the first tennis courts in Italy, and a British cemetery to name but a few.

Gouta: The most beautiful Alpine forest in Liguria
Distance: 6 km | Time: 3 hours | Difficulty: Easy | Height gain: 180 m

This walk, apart from it's sheer beauty, goes to show the remarkable variety of landscape that exits in this region from the subtropical 

 vegetation at sea level below, only just over an hour away, to the full Alpine environment here. We start at 1200 m a.s.l. at the Restaurant and refuge Gola di Gouta (on clear days here you can see right over to the distant sea) and amongst lush green meadows, we take the short piece of road down to then start our pleasant circular walk. Then suddenly we leave the open meadows and enter the magical world of the whiteabies fir trees in a totally alpine environment. We follow a lovely and practically flat route into the woods where deer abound, in the refreshing and pungent air. It's worth noting the effects of light and shade the sun plays through the thick woods. We eventually reach a stream and veer left on a brief incline and then after a short descent we arrive at the lovely open meadows that mark "Margheria dei boschi" - an ideal spot for a picnic. After a brief walk back on the provincial road, we reach our starting point at the restaurant. This walk is particularly recommended on hot days where you can relax in the fresh Alpine air.

Lecchiore, S.Marta, Valloria Circular Walk
Distance: 8-10 km | Time: 4 hours approx | Difficulty: Medium | Height gain: 450m

We start in the really pretty location of Lecchiore and we follow the trail that leads to the stream, deep in the wooded valley. We follow an enchanting series of pools formed by the steep cascading stream. We immerse in the deep shaded woodland and start the steep trail that towards the mountain ridge. On our way we see some well preserved caselle - typical ancient pastoral dwellings. We progress through mixed woodland with patches of cultivated olive trees. 

A beautifully restored small church (the first of many) greets us with it's charming original bell mounting used in bygone times for calling the land workers home or for lunch. We carry on the well-defined mule track, reach a main crossroads and carry on still upwards into some lovely unspoilt mixed woodland in the shade of some gargantuan Chestnut trees. We reach the sanctuary of S. Marta, at just under 700m, on a grassy meadow. The views from here are just spectacular on clear days: the blue Mediterranean to the south and the amphitheatre of the mountains to the north. We then head down to Valloria after first passing many votive pillars marking the Via Crucis. Valloria, the village of the painted doors (see the Villas and Museums section), a charming village nestling in the olive groves of Liguria. We take time to look around at the open air picture gallery on the village doors an take a well earnt rest in the piazza. We leave Valloria, head south on the circular route which leads steeply down to the beginning of our hike, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the church of Madonna dell'acquasanta (of the "Holy water") and refresh ourselves by the crystalline pure spring water which pours out of the rock

S. Brigida to Mt. Follia
Distance: 10 km | Time: 4 hours | Difficulty: Medium | Height Gain: 600 m

Another lovely hike which starts at the chapel of S.Brigida and through lush woodland leads us to the open meadows of Mt. Follia at 1038m a.s.l. With incomparable and spectacular views of the sea and mountains around. This hike is quite steep in parts, but with the bonus of panoramas in store at every turn. We take the old mule track from the chapel. This must have been a well-used track in the old days up to the 60's, when families of peasants relied heavily on the land for their living. We find quite a number of old chestnut trees, which would have provided food and flour in the past. These trees are now suffering from the lack of domestic care and are slowly dying and disappearing. The land rises sharply and the thick woodland rapidly envelopes us. We pass an old church ruin symbolizing a once densely populated countryside, and then we come across an old stone settlement, where a shepherd sometimes lives with his flock of sheep & goats. 
We carry on and arrive at the site of an old fountain where we take a sharp left. The terrain levels out amongst mixed woodland and we come across a particularly well preservedCasella (ancient pastoral dwellings). We walk in the pleasant shade of oaks and beech for almost an hour and then the terrain suddenly opens to reveal meadows and wide open views all round. A short walk then leads us to the summit of Mt.Follia marked by a cross. Views are second to none on clear days showing the coastline which stretches from Tuscany to nearby Cote D'Azur in France. To the North the imposing peaks of Mt. Mongioie (see walk later on this page) and the Maritime Alps. On our way down we take a different path via Mt. Faudo. If we take this hike on a Sunday, we will be able to visit the Partisans' Building: a kind of shrine erected by the last surviving resistance members of the Second World War, to honour the sacrifice paid by the local Partisans to oppose the horrors committed by the Nazi-Fascist Oppressors. Many local heroes paid the ultimate price for freedom - most squares and streets in the local towns bear their names in remembrance. The Building houses a small museum with a photographic archive of the resistance. A Procession takes place every May to honour their memory. A pleasant hike of another 45 mins takes us back to the Chapel of S. Brigida.