Hiking with children in East Liguria

Are you lovers of hiking?
Hiking in Liguria can be done in all seasons, the views are incredible and the routes are within everyone's reach, even children. Here are some treks in Liguria for children that you can easily do in a single day.
If you come from afar here you can find child-friendly facilities where to sleep in the Levante Riviera.

Walks in the Cinque Terre with children

The Cinque Terre are gorgeous and known all over the world, but not everyone knows which ones they really are....
As you take the train down from La Spezia in the direction of Genoa, the first five villages are really the world-famous Cinque Terre: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso.
To visit the Cinque Terre with children the best thing is to take the train and get off in the various villages or use the boat that connects them. Very inadvisable instead to go by car, the villages are very small and narrow between the mountains and the sea, arrived between a thousand narrow streets and curves in one of them, then it would be almost impossible to park!
One option, very fascinating to visit these five pearls is to arm yourself with mountain boots, backpack and water bottle and explore the various trails that cross this Natural Park. Eh yes, not everyone knows that the Cinque terre is a Natural Park!

The most famous trail is sentiero Azzurro, very scenic and sometimes overhanging the coast, it connects all five villages.
The part of the sentiero Azzurro between Monterosso to Vernazza and continues connecting Vernazza to Corniglia has, in some sections, quite a steep gradient, numerous stairs and quite complex passages, on par with mountain trails. The trail is really stunning, overlooking the sea, and the views are truly breathtaking, but they are only suitable for children who are familiar with walking in the mountains and are very careful not to put a foot wrong.
From Corniglia station onward, toward Manarola and Riomaggiore, the trail is much flatter and safer, but unfortunately, due to landslides,both the section between Corniglia and Manarola and between Manarola and Riomaggiore, the very famous "via dell'Amore", are closed until further notice.
The paths in the Cinque Terre most suitable for children are the itineraries that, amidst the lush vegetation, lead from each of the villages to its Marian shrine: from Monterosso to Soviore, from Vernazza to N.S. di Reggio, from Corniglia to Grazie, from Manarola to Soviore, and from Riomaggiore to Montenero. The shrines are perched in the hill above the town, and from up there you can enjoy a splendid view. To reach them takes 30 minutes to an hour of walking and climbing up to 300 to 350 meters above sea level.
Another route suitable for families and children is the Alta via delle Cinque Terre, which stretches along the border of the Cinque Terre National Park at about 600 to 700 meters above sea level, for walks through the woods.

View from the Sanctuary of Soviore - Cinque Terre

Punta Manara: Between Riva Trigoso and Sestri Levante with children

Between Sestri Levante and Riva Trigoso lies the promontory of Punta Manara.
The hike leading to Punta Manara, can be done safely with children.
The trail about 6 kilometers long with 200 meters of elevation gain, is not very strenuous and taking it easy can be the outing of a day.
We recommend starting the outing with children from Riva Trigoso, the trail starts from the beach of Riva and climbs with a really gentle slope amidst the beautiful panorama of the Mediterranean maquis.
Arriving at Punta Manara (after two hours of walking) the view is really incredible. with the view on one side of the Cinque Terre, on the other of Sestri levante, the gulf of Tigullio all the way to Portofino.
At Punta Manara there are the ruins of war bunkers, fun to explore but, being sheer above the sea, with children you have to be very careful.
The descent to Sestri Levante is gentle and there are beautiful views of the two bays. The trail arrives in the carrugio in the center of Sestri Levante. The trip can only end by enjoying an ice cream at Baia de Silenzio or watching the sunset from the Bay of Fables.
The route can also be done in the opposite direction, from Sestri Levante to Riva Trigoso, but the climb from Sestri is steeper and more strenuous.

The hike cannot be done with a stroller; a baby carrier, sling or backpack is required for younger children.
We recommend wearing hiking gear and especially hiking boots between hiking. During the hike there is no water, Bring your own water bottles.
The hike can be done year-round, we recommend avoiding summer because it is too hot. Liguria gives beautiful sunny days all year round.

View of Sestri Levante from Punta Manara

Mount Portofino: trekking for children and families

Portofino is world-famous as a tiny capital of glamour and fashion, but perhaps not everyone knows that the mountain behind Portofino is a Natural Park, of great charm.
The Natural Park of Mount Portofino is the ideal destination for hiking with children in Liguria. Throughout the Park there are many trails, of different difficulties and for all tastes.
We suggest some trails because they are very scenic, not challenging and without any danger.
From Santa Margherita Ligure to Portofino you can take an easy walk starting from Nozarego and walking along a fairly flat path that skirts the mountain until you reach Portofino.
Halfway between Nozarego and Portofino, you will come across a old mill, restored, very nice. A visit to the mill is very interesting and fascinating.
Another trail on Mount Portofino suitable for children is the one from Ruta di Camogli towards Pietre Strette, the trail passes near Portofino Vetta, from which there is a beautiful view. Wide and with a few rest stops, with tables for picnicking, it is ideal for sunny spring days. When you arrive at Pietre Strette you can choose to go down to Portofino, to Camogli or by a wide path to San Fruttuoso from where boats leave to return to Camogli.
Another trail that is perfect for hiking with children is the one from San Rocco di Camogli to Punta Chiappa.
The Portofino Nature Park has many trails in addition to those recounted, but some very beautiful ones are a bit more exposed and therefore dangerous if children are not more than used to walking in the mountains.

The Gulf of Tigullio seen from the trail between Nozarego and Portofino

h2)More ideas for outings with children in Liguria

Tour of the Forts in Genoa with kids

In Genoa with children you can take the Tour of the Forts. Take the funicular railway to the Righi and from there start the trip. The trail runs along the ridge and touches many forts. The trail is safe and quiet. You pass under Fort Sperone, near Puin and, with a detour , also by Fratello Minore. You arrive up to the Diamante. an impressive walk that gives an unforgettable view of Genoa.In addition, the forts are almost all closed, but opening by appointment is possible.

The Guard on foot with children

Another child-friendly route is the one that leads up to the sanctuary of the Guardia. It starts from Genoa Pontedecimo with a guideway that takes you to the beginning of the trail, which is a wide and comfortable path. In the first part, moreover, young and old can enjoy d tackling the gymnastic trail. Arriving at the shrine, there is a picturesque view.

Noli - Varigotti: the Pilgrim's Path with children

The trail that connects Noli to Varigotti is the perfect Pilgrim's Path for children and families, because you walk surrounded by nature and with beautiful views.
The trail, about four kilometers long, runs along the coast that connects Noli to Varigotti. this makes it suitable even for children less accustomed to hiking.