My husband and I will be staying in Vernazza in May. My question is regarding the hiking trail from Levanto to Monterosso. I read an article on Slow Travel which said that hiking from Levanto to Monterosso is more rewarding and beautiful than any of the CT trails. I am finding little information on Levanto and was wondering if anyone has personal experience with this hiking trail or the town. I notice that the RS book does not mention this trail either. Thanks.
Posted by
Minneapolis
1261 posts
Hi Debbie. Have stayed in Levanto twice and enjoyed it. It's a nice small tourist town; larger than CT towns, but still walkable and pleasant, nice beach, included in CT train pass; five miuntes to CT by train. I haven't done the hike from there; heard it is quite long and difficult. The CT hikes are great; you may want to start with those and if really want more you could do the Levanto one.
Posted by
OP
Chicago, IL, USA
93 posts
Thanks Bob, it's good to know that this trail might be a harder walk. I was most interested in walking the trail for the views and would, of course, visit the town if we were there. It looks like there is a nice beach there. I'm surprised that it is not a more popular town.
Posted by
Vancouver, BC, Canada
175 posts
We've stayed in Levanto for four nights and found it a very pleasant, quiet, attractive little town. Lots of good restos. Most of the tourists seemed to be European unlike the 5T towns so beloved by North Americans. My husband did the complete trail starting at Levanto - he enjoyed that leg even tho' he was almost pushed off
the trail by some very 'enthusiastic' German hikers!
Posted by
OP
Chicago, IL, USA
93 posts
That's funny -- we better watch out for those Germans!!
Posted by
Centennial, CO, USA
1895 posts
Did this hike from Monterosso. The hike is not hard, it is long.
I think it took us about as long to walk the 5 towns south from Monterosso as to hike from Monterosso to Levanto. on the hike, you almost walk through some backyards. you are on the sea for part of the hike, then away from it for part. There are some ruins to see, and you do hike part of the way on the Roman Road. Levanto itself is a larger town. We had a late lunch there, walked a bit by a sort of rec center that had a pool above the sea. Levanto has cars in town, and is fairly busy, it's not as isolated as the CT. Took the train back to Monterosso, this trip was included in our CT 5 day pass.
Posted by
OP
Chicago, IL, USA
93 posts
That is quite a long hike -- not really what I was planning. Thanks for the info. I believe the person who wrote the article said it took about 2-1/2 hours but perhaps they were avid hikers.