Portovenere and the Gulf of Poets: the ridge above the sea and Palmaria island in two days
La Spezia · Liguria•2 days · 1 night•Trekking · 500 m
Experience
Multi-day treks
Difficulty ?
INTERMEDIATE
Where?
La Spezia, Liguria
On your own?
No problem
Points
+16
Community photos
See all photos
Overview
The experience
Difficulty
What's included
Itinerary
Carpooling
What to bring
Guiddy Experience
Reviews
Questions
WHY THIS TREK
Portovenere and Golfo dei Poeti
In December the Cinque Terre are half closed and half empty, but ten kilometres away there is a piece of Liguria that is at its best in winter: the Gulf of Poets, with Portovenere at the end and Palmaria island in front. No queues, low light, big sea.
Group chat before departure
Come alone, leave with new friends
The experience
From Campiglia we take the ridge trail that runs above the sea to Portovenere: seven kilometres with the Tyrrhenian on one side and the gulf on the other, arriving at the church of San Pietro, set on the rock above Byron's grotto. Night and dinner in La Spezia.
Ferry to Palmaria island and the full loop: five kilometres among Napoleonic forts, portoro marble quarries and the Terrizzo beaches, with Portovenere watching from across the water. Back by boat in the afternoon.
The boat is included, but winter crossings are reduced and can be cancelled in rough seas: in that case Sunday is spent on Monte Muzzerone, above Portovenere. Lunches and dinners are not included.
By train Milan–La Spezia Centrale in three hours, with the hotel in the centre: this is the weekend that works best without a car. By car two hours forty-five; leave it in La Spezia, the rest is bus and boat.
GOOD TO KNOW
Group chat
It opens before departure: that's where the meeting point is confirmed and carpooling is arranged.
Free cancellation up to 7 days before
For the selected date: by 27 November, 23:59. You pay nothing when you book.
Guiddy accident insurance
Included in the price.
+16 Guiddy points
Your points grow with every outing, level you up and unlock discounts, exclusive outings and goodies.
Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
Included in the price.
Dog friendly
Your dog can come: add them when you book.
How hard is it, really
Guiddy scale
INTERMEDIATE
F
F+
I
I+
D
D+
600 m D+ · 14 km · 4h30 a day for 2 days
Easy
Perfect for those who want to enjoy nature without too much effort. Short, well-marked trails with gentle slopes. No technical difficulties, just a desire to walk, breathe in the fresh air, and share the day with a group.
Ideal for: Beginners, families, those who want to take their first steps in trekking.
Easy Plus
A little faster pace, but still accessible. Slightly longer routes or with a few more hills, requiring some walking experience. The terrain is always easy and safe.
Ideal for: Those who walk regularly and want to challenge themselves a little.
Intermediate — this outing
Here we enter the world of true trekking. Steeper climbs, stretches on uneven or longer trails that require stamina. The physical effort is medium to high, and the fatigue is noticeable... but so is the satisfaction!
Ideal for: Those who already have experience and a good level of physical fitness.
Intermediate Plus
When the mountains begin to take their toll. More challenging routes in terms of gradient or duration, with technical sections or uneven terrain. Even a medium elevation gain can be tough if concentrated in just a few kilometers
Ideal for: Trained hikers, accustomed to walking on mountain paths
Difficult
Level suitable for experienced hikers with excellent stamina and surefootedness. The physical challenge is high, and there may be steep sections or possible exposure, which is always noted in the hike description. Perfect for those who enjoy pushing their limits and conquering significant peaks.
Ideal for: Those who already have experience in an Alpine environment and want to challenge themselves.
Difficult Plus
Only for true Guidders with their Wild Spirit at its peak Long routes, significant elevation gain (over 1,100 m), and technical or exposed terrain. Excellent physical preparation, sure-footedness, and the ability to manage fatigue at high altitude are required.
Ideal for: Highly trained and experienced hikers in the mountains.
Exposure and exposed sections
NONE
No exposed sections reported on the route.
VERTIGO RISK
WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU GO
✓
BEFORE YOU GO
Pack your backpack the day before and go to bed early: you've got 4h30 a day for 2 days in a row ahead; if you go to the mountains a couple of times a month, you're fit enough
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
A light backpack for 2 days: a change of clothes, a sleeping bag liner for the hut, a water bottle and poles. Gloves, a beanie, warm layers, a thermos and microspikes if there's ice. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish
What's included in the price
✓INCLUDED
✓Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
✓Overnight stay with breakfast
✓Ferry
✓Guiddy accident insurance
✓Guiddy points for the loyalty programme
✕NOT INCLUDED
✕Dinner
✕Packed lunch
✕Parking
✕Tourist tax
✕Drinks
✕Travel to La Spezia
To get there, there's Guiddy carpooling, below.
Itinerary
Two days, approximate times. The final details come in the group chat.
Elevation gain
600 m
Max altitude
500 m
Distance
14 km
Duration
2 days
Day 1
Sat 5 Dec
4 stops · from 09:30
Day 2
Sun 6 Dec
3 stops · from 09:00
Meeting point 9:30approximate
Meeting in La Spezia, La Spezia, provincia di La Spezia, Italia. The exact time is confirmed in the group chat. We usually meet a little earlier for breakfast together, when possible.
Paid parking
Blue lines €0.50-1.50/h, Mon-Sat 8:30am-8pm (free on holidays). Pay at meter, Gratta&Sosta ticket or myCicero/Telepass app.
We only ask for feedback from people who were really there.
You'll be among the first to share your story.
Questions?
I've never done a multi-day trek, can I do it?
⌄
You need to be fit enough to walk a full day (4h30 a day) and carry your backpack for 2 days. Flat or slightly inclined sections with short stretches on steep slopes and rocks, not tiring or demanding.
Can I join on my own?
⌄
How does carpooling work?
⌄
What happens if the weather is bad?
⌄
What if the group doesn't reach the minimum?
⌄
Until when can I cancel?
⌄
Book now, pay only if it goes ahead
MOST POPULAR
✓No charge now: the amount is only held on your card
✓Free cancellation up to 7 days before (for this date: 27 November, 23:59)
✓You're only charged once the group is confirmed, at 7 pm the evening before departure
✓Minimum not reached? No charge, nothing to do
Or pay straight away by card, PayPal, Satispay or Revolut. With Klarna you can also pay in interest-free instalments.
Still have questions? Ask Ibex
Ibex is Guiddy's virtual ibex: it answers everything, 24/7. In two messages it tells you whether this outing is for you, how to get there and what to pack.
Hi, I'm Ibex. Ask me anything about this outing: level, what to bring, meeting point, car pooling, payment.
No commitment: we're happy to answer even just for advice. Prefer WhatsApp?
Portovenere and the Gulf of Poets: the ridge above the sea and Palmaria island in two days
La Spezia, (SP) · Liguria
2 days · Trekking · 500 m
New: you'll be among the first Guidders to do it
Elevation gain
600 m
Max altitude
500 m
Distance
14 km
Exposed sections
None
Duration
2 days
Guiddy points
+16
▣ 6 photos
+2 photos
WHY THIS TREK
Portovenere and Golfo dei Poeti
In December the Cinque Terre are half closed and half empty, but ten kilometres away there is a piece of Liguria that is at its best in winter: the Gulf of Poets, with Portovenere at the end and Palmaria island in front. No queues, low light, big sea.
Come alone, leave with new friends
The experience
From Campiglia we take the ridge trail that runs above the sea to Portovenere: seven kilometres with the Tyrrhenian on one side and the gulf on the other, arriving at the church of San Pietro, set on the rock above Byron's grotto. Night and dinner in La Spezia.
Ferry to Palmaria island and the full loop: five kilometres among Napoleonic forts, portoro marble quarries and the Terrizzo beaches, with Portovenere watching from across the water. Back by boat in the afternoon.
The boat is included, but winter crossings are reduced and can be cancelled in rough seas: in that case Sunday is spent on Monte Muzzerone, above Portovenere. Lunches and dinners are not included.
By train Milan–La Spezia Centrale in three hours, with the hotel in the centre: this is the weekend that works best without a car. By car two hours forty-five; leave it in La Spezia, the rest is bus and boat.
How hard is it
Guiddy scale
INTERMEDIATE
F
F+
I
I+
D
D+
600 m D+ · 14 km · 4h30 a day for 2 days
Easy
Perfect for those who want to enjoy nature without too much effort. Short, well-marked trails with gentle slopes. No technical difficulties, just a desire to walk, breathe in the fresh air, and share the day with a group.
Ideal for: Beginners, families, those who want to take their first steps in trekking.
Easy Plus
A little faster pace, but still accessible. Slightly longer routes or with a few more hills, requiring some walking experience. The terrain is always easy and safe.
Ideal for: Those who walk regularly and want to challenge themselves a little.
Intermediate — this outing
Here we enter the world of true trekking. Steeper climbs, stretches on uneven or longer trails that require stamina. The physical effort is medium to high, and the fatigue is noticeable... but so is the satisfaction!
Ideal for: Those who already have experience and a good level of physical fitness.
Intermediate Plus
When the mountains begin to take their toll. More challenging routes in terms of gradient or duration, with technical sections or uneven terrain. Even a medium elevation gain can be tough if concentrated in just a few kilometers
Ideal for: Trained hikers, accustomed to walking on mountain paths
Difficult
Level suitable for experienced hikers with excellent stamina and surefootedness. The physical challenge is high, and there may be steep sections or possible exposure, which is always noted in the hike description. Perfect for those who enjoy pushing their limits and conquering significant peaks.
Ideal for: Those who already have experience in an Alpine environment and want to challenge themselves.
Difficult Plus
Only for true Guidders with their Wild Spirit at its peak Long routes, significant elevation gain (over 1,100 m), and technical or exposed terrain. Excellent physical preparation, sure-footedness, and the ability to manage fatigue at high altitude are required.
Ideal for: Highly trained and experienced hikers in the mountains.
WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU GO
✓
BEFORE YOU GO
Pack your backpack the day before and go to bed early: you've got 4h30 a day for 2 days in a row ahead; if you go to the mountains a couple of times a month, you're fit enough
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
A light backpack for 2 days: a change of clothes, a sleeping bag liner for the hut, a water bottle and poles. Gloves, a beanie, warm layers, a thermos and microspikes if there's ice. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish
What's included
INCLUDED
✓Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
✓Overnight stay with breakfast
✓Ferry
✓Guiddy accident insurance
✓Guiddy points for the loyalty programme
NOT INCLUDED
✕Dinner
✕Packed lunch
✕Parking
✕Tourist tax
✕Drinks
✕Travel to La Spezia
Itinerary
2 days · approximate times
Day 1 · Sat 5 Dec
Day 2 · Sun 6 Dec
Explore the map
2 days
Meeting point 9:30Meeting in La Spezia
We usually meet a little earlier for breakfast together, when possible.
Paid parking
Blue lines €0.50-1.50/h, Mon-Sat 8:30am-8pm (free on holidays). Pay at meter, Gratta&Sosta ticket or myCicero/Telepass app.
You need to be fit enough to walk a full day (4h30 a day) and carry your backpack for 2 days. Flat or slightly inclined sections with short stretches on steep slopes and rocks, not tiring or demanding.
Apple Maps
