Paraggi - Olmi - Base 0 - Cala degli Inglesi - Portofino - Paraggi

For this itinerary we recommend reaching Paraggi by bus from Santa Margherita Ligure which leaves from Piazza Vittorio Veneto (on the seafront) approximately every 30 minutes. It is also advisable to have a good supply of water, since there are no water taps along the way.

The departure is at the end of the car park in Paraggi with the path that climbs, on the left, next to the restaurant. We find ourselves in the Valle dei Mulini , a very suggestive corner of the Park, where the path climbs up in the middle of dense vegetation passing next to the ruins of some mills, accompanied by panels which illustrate their ancient functions.

After passing a wooden hut and a house surrounded by a garden, a triangle of blue sea peeps out behind us, contrasting with the intense green of the Mediterranean scrub.

We continue with a stone staircase in the middle of the woods, which flows under the Mulino di Gassetta (252 meters above sea level), on the path that leads to Olmi (250 meters above sea level) ), where we arrive after about 15 minutes.

We are on the Portofino Vetta - Portofino Mare trajectory, turn right and continue uphill on the large cobblestone up to Crocetta (363 meters above sea level) where we meet, on the left, the detour for Ghidelli (393 meters above sea level).

This stretch extends all through the woods and is a link with the path that comes from Pietre Strette and reaches Base 0 (220 meters above sea level).

After having cast a glance at San Fruttuoso from above (which can be reached by descending to the right), we continue to the left with the path which, after a flat stretch, continues alternating ups and downs consisting of rock steps totally overlooking the sea ​​and the numerous coves below.

Once we reach a small group of houses, we walk along a short but steep stretch of carriage road (mainly used by the locals) which leads us to the path shaded by chestnut trees from which it starts, in the locality Vessinaro ( 190 meters above sea level), the detour to "Cala degli Inglesi".

The route is marked as challenging and indeed, in some sections it is steep and slippery but, thanks to the help of the chains, it is possible to follow it without too much difficulty ... however, pay close attention.

A short descent into the woods is followed by an ascent that leads us to the coast of the Monte from which you can admire a natural landscape of extraordinary beauty generated by the combination of the intense blue of the sea and the various shades of green of the luxuriant vegetation.

This evocative panorama will accompany us along the entire route, which proceeds without difficulty, with the exception of two felled trees that obstruct the path, up to the point where the descent begins. From here to the arrival at the bay, chains have been placed in the steepest and most slippery points that make the journey easier.

We thus arrive at Cala degli Inglesi , a beautiful inlet characterized by imposing conglomerate boulders and an uncontaminated sea.

After a stop and maybe a swim during the Summer (weather conditions permitting), we retrace the journey that, in about 40 minutes, leads us back to Vessinaro, from where we continue to the right on the path that advances narrow and flat to the crossroads in Cappelletta place.

We always go straight and after 50 meters, we will arrive near a small chapel, we pass the wooden gate installed to prevent the passage of wild animals (it is recommended to close it); from here you can enjoy a beautiful view of the tip of Portofino and Castello Brown.

A series of pebble and concrete steps lead us to Via del Fondaco, at the end of the Portofino car park.

The final stretch of the itinerary takes place in the pedestrian Portofino-Paraggi , a beautiful walk raised a few meters from the driveway which starts in front of the church of San Martino, at the entrance to Portofino , and ends (after 30 minutes) in the village of Paraggi.

If you want, you can continue to Santa Margherita Ligure following the promenade by feet.

Alternatively, you can return to Santa Margherita Ligure using the buses which regularly depart from Paraggi

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GPS path on Google Maps