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Santa Margherita - Paraggi -
Portofino Average Hiking Time:
2 hours, including tour of Santa Margherita Level of Difficulty: Easy-Moderate Total Elevation Gain/Loss: 300 m Please note that the average hiking time does not include long rest or lunch stops. Hiking time and difficulty rating are figured for those in average physical condition.
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 One
wonders why Christopher Columbus would have ever wanted to leave his hometown
of Santa Margherita, one of the most beautiful towns on the Ligurian
coast. The town deserves at least an hour's tour; it is a perfect base
for weekend or longer sojourns. From Columbus' statue on the sea promenade,
walk up through the little streets to the Villa Durazzo Gardens. Take
a left through the gate and ascend the statue-lined path through the gardens
to the Villa Durrazzo, where there are great views of Santa Margherita's
port below. The villa houses special art exhibits and has a very interesting
façade and terrace (which like the gardens is lined with statues). Of
course, like every other square meter of this town, there are flowers
here in abundance. From the villa descend to the port, and walk nearly
to its southern end before taking a right where there are signs to Nozarego;
take a left in the piazza onto small street labeled with a painted red
cross trail marker. Follow the red crosses up the narrow footpath, past
wonderful little houses and a series of olive groves. You'll soon reach
a road: continue following the red crosses uphill to the right, then to
the left on another footpath.  Continue
along the ridge, after about forty-five minutes reaching the Cappelletta
della Gave, a chapel set serenely above the sea. After a fifteen-minute
descent through olive groves you will arrive in Paraggi, where
there is a fine, white sand beach. The final twenty minutes of the walk
are along a shaded walking path that follows close to the sea. The grandeur
of Portofino is achieved slowly but surely, as you will see first
note the great villas and hotels, then yachts, and finally the little
town itself from your vantage on the path. The path ends at the church
of San Martino, not far from the main piazza.
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Above Portofino
Average Hiking Time: 1-2 hours,
depending on route taken
Level of Difficulty: Moderate Elevation Gain/Loss: 200 - 300 m Please note that the average hiking time does not include long rest or lunch stops. Hiking time and difficulty rating are figured for those in average physical condition.
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The
region directly above Portofino is worthy of exploration for its fine
mix of villas, cultivated land and gardens, tiny villages, and proximity
to the Promontory's stunning natural environment. From Portofino, one
has many options: one could ascend the road described for San Sebastiano
in the first hike, the path just described for Paraggi and Gave, or
a third route, middle route, ascending directly up a steep series of
steps starting at the back of Portofino. One can make a beautiful loop,
heading up one of these trails, walking the ridge, and then descending
by another route. Buy a good map, or if time is of no concern, have
some fun, wander around and get a bit lost… but note that if you head
toward Base "O" or San Fruttuoso you could be hiking for a lot more
than two hours.