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Day trip from Monterosso to Santa Margherita Ligure

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As part of our next trip to Italy, we are spending four nights in Monterosso in September (we LOVE CT, especially in the mornings and evenings when it's not so crowded. We just can't get enough of the anchovies, local white wine, and pesto!) Question: we would like to go to SML and be able to hike to Portofino for lunch. We think a combination of train and boat would be wonderful going to and from Monterosso. Does anyone out there know specifics of transportation for such an outing? Is it too ambitious for a day trip? Does anyone know about the hiking trail that takes you to the "Blue Door" into Portofino?

Thanks for all your help!

Posted by
5320 posts

I rambled all over Portofino national park, but I don't know the blue door. Perhaps the park website's route descriptions, plus a little googling, would help:
http://www.parks.it/parco.portofino/Eindex.php
psssssssssssss: Portofino is so overpriced, I'd stop in San Rocco for lunch.

You can take the train to Camogli or SML and walk (or ferry) into the park, though from Camogli you might want to take the bus up to San Rocco to avoid 1000 steps up. The ferries stop at the San Fruttuoso abbey in the center of the park. The trails were so tranquil. One even has chains, so that was pretty exciting.

trenitalia of course for train schedules, and this blog has compiled the ferries: http://www.apathtolunch.com/2014/06/complete-cinque-terre-portovenere-la.html

Posted by
32405 posts

The article in the previous reply seems to imply that even RS has concluded that the Cinque Terre is becoming too crowded, so they're now recommending alternatives.

Regarding the day trip to Santa Margherita Ligure, it's very easily done from Monterosso. Here's a brief description.....

  • Take the train from Monterosso to Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino (a couple of hours as I recall, depending on which train you use).
  • If you'd like to take the boat from SML to Portofino (about 20 minutes), buy a ticket at the Bar that's located behind the station.
  • Walk down the staircase to the main street of the town and then around to the harbour. I don't know where the trail starts or where the "Blue Door" is, but if you want to go by boat you'll see the dock from the station. It will take 10-15 minutes from the station to the dock.

There's not a lot to do in Portofino except browse the posh stores and admire the yachts which will probably be backed up to the dock. You could take the easy hike up the path to Castello Brown, as there may be an exhibit or something on. In any case, there are great views from there. Dining in Portofino will be somewhat pricey and the food may be somewhat mediocre.

Posted by
459 posts

Lifeisnow,
Easy trip to Portofino from the CT. We did it in October and it was great. We were going to hike in the CT tht day but it was raining and the CT trails are rough if wet. Our B&B owner suggested we go to SML and hike out to Portofino. We were staying at Moneglia so we were a bit closer to SML but it is a short train ride. The hike from the SML train station out to Portofino is really a nice trail and was very doable even in the pouring rain! The rain stopped on our trip out and we enjoyed a nice lunch at one of the bar/cafes out at the harbour. We then rode the ferry back to the SML. You'll have no trouble getting an early train up to SML and the hike is only like two hours and not at all taxing. I bet a morning hike out there would be really neat! There are some great views on the way out, it is bit more urban than the CT trails but very very enjoyable. I agree with the previous poster, see the blog "A path to lunch" for great advice! I am not familiar with the "Blue Door". Laurel's blog also was part of our inspiration for the hike and finding the "A path to lunch" blog. Looks like the train ride is anywhere from 45 minutes to 75 minutes depending on which train, what time you choose. dave, Indiana

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