Andiamo A Portofino!

                                                                     Camogli

We started our hike today in Camogli, a fishing village on the Golfo Paradiso in the Riviera di Levanti.  It's a hidden gem an hour's drive up from the Cinque Terre and it is linked to neighbouring villages by a path via high cliffs that overlook the sea.

                          Nets to catch the falling olives from the trees in town.

     Hill view of Camogli just after San Rocco. It's a steep 350 steps to see the view below.

                                                  View just after San Rocco


We hiked the 12 kilometres with a total elevation gain of 560 meters then downwards to San Frutuoso where we took the boat to Portofino. We were lucky to have perfect hiking weather and in my opinion, this is the best hike we have done so far.

                                

                    The paths are not difficult but it's a good hike for seasoned trekkers. 

                                                 A picnic lunch en route.

                                                  Views of the sea from the cliffs.

                            

Even if it's quite a difficult descent on the knees (uneven cobblestones, loose rocks, steep narrow paths) it was well worth it arriving in San Fruttuoso for the view and well deserved apperitivo! We waited here for our boat to Portofino. It was too late in the day to trek there.

                                                              Portofino

The Portofino gelato from Portofino came highly recommended so I tried it! Pistachio, almond with hazelnuts.

                                       

And just to end the day, I decided to continue my woman vs ice cream challenge and try my 7th gelato this week, a fior di latte or sweetened cream. 

I am beginning to feel beaten by this quest to try all the different flavours of gelato on offer in this area. Maybe the wise thing is to have spoonfuls rather than large scoops of each flavour?  I am feeling rather  ice creamed out, to be honest. We will see.  Tomorrow is another day in Liguria.