With the awakening of spring, nature explodes in a triumph of colours and scents. What better way to experience this rebirth than by walking Camogli’s panoramic paths?
Let’s discover together which sea-view walks will let you fully appreciate the beauty of Paradise Gulf and its surroundings!
Camogli – Ruta – Portofino Vetta – Ruta
Difficulty: easy.
The trail from Camogli to Ruta is a loop trail suitable for everyone and can be completed in about 2 hours.
Starting from Camogli, you reach Ruta by walking along the road connecting it with the hamlet of San Rocco. From here, continue the route enjoying the splendid panorama of the Golfo Paradiso, and then reach the car park area and take the trail towards Portofino Vetta, climbing along the Valle dell’Acqua Fredda.
Although fairly steep, this part of the trail is in the shade thanks to the dense vegetation, which protects the route all the way to below the antenna of Monte di Portofino.
Continuing on, you reach the main trail, which connects Portofino Vetta to Portofino Mare. Near the water source, turn left and you will arrive at the former “Hotel Kulm”, a charming historic building from the early 20th century.
How to return to Ruta? Follow the downhill path that leads to Via Gaixella. At this point, explore the village of Ruta by walking through its caruggi and discovering its points of interest. One highlight is the 13th-century Millenary Church, which is definitely worth a visit!
Camogli – Punta Chiappa
Difficulty: easy.
The route from Camogli to Punta Chiappa is one of the most famous trails on the Portofino Promontory: it takes about an hour and is suitable for all types of walkers.
From the village of Camogli, continue in the direction of San Rocco and then towards the church of San Nicolò Capodimonte, where you can admire an initial panoramic view. From here, to continue the itinerary, take the steps to Punta Chiappa via the landing place of Porto Pidocchio: a small, characteristic oasis of peace in Paradise Gulf.
Alternatively, you can take a downhill path to the left of the Church of San Nicolò. This is a slightly uneven stretch of path that will take you directly to Punta Chiappa, allowing you to enjoy beautiful panoramic views.
One of the particularities of Punta Chiappa is its conformation, characterised by a strip of sedimentary rock that extends from the promontory towards the sea. Once there, relaxing and taking in the view of the Gulf is a must!
You can return to Camogli by taking the ferry, or you can retrace the path in the opposite direction.
Camogli – Portofino – Santa Margherita Ligure
Difficulty: medium.
With a walking time of 6 hours, this itinerary offers itself as a wonderful adventure in any season, thanks to its shady areas that offer coolness and comfort even in the peak of summer.
Starting from the village of Camogli, arrive in front of the church of San Rocco and continue along the Via Crucis path to the entrance of Portofino.
Once you reach Portofino, Look for the signs for the “Passeggiata dei Baci” (“Lovers’ Walk”): a romantic, easily walkable itinerary, immersed in the greenery of the Portofino Park. Continue towards Santa Margherita Ligure, strolling along the seafront in peace and quiet.
When you reach your destination, you can rest while enjoying a good ice cream, perhaps admiring the small harbour and the village castle, dating back to the 16th century.
Camogli – San Fruttuoso
Difficulty: high.
Camogli – San Fruttuoso is an approximately two-hour itinerary, also known as the ‘Battery Trail’.
For this route, start from Camogli and walk to the small square in the hamlet of San Rocco. At this point, follow the signs leading to the itinerary of the historic Batterie: defensive complexes dating back to the Second World War and immersed in the Mediterranean maquis. Because of their original purpose as a lookout over the Gulf, the Batterie del Parco di Portofino is in a position that offers magnificent views.
When you’re ready to continue, take the trail that leads to the famous Abbey of San Fruttuoso.
This is a challenging trail with exposed areas where you must hold on to a safety chain. Consequently, this path is recommended for experienced hikers and, given the few areas of shade, we suggest you walk it in the spring months of the year. What characterises this route and rewards all the effort is an unparalleled scenic view.
Once you reach the Abbey, take time to admire this historic Benedictine monastery: it is a Benedictine monastery from the year one thousand immersed in the Mediterranean maquis, capable of captivating anyone who visits it.
Once you have finished your tour, you have the option of returning to Camogli by boat.
The routes we have described are among the most beautiful in the Portofino Park. To consult the complete map of the routes and find out more about them, click on this link.
Are you ready to discover Camogli step by step? If you are looking for a place to stay, the Cenobio is ready to guarantee you relaxation and tranquillity, allowing you to spend your perfect holiday in Camogli: book your stay now!