Portofino Natural Park

Between the Gulf of Paradise and the Gulf of Tigullio, the Portofino promontory is a small massif protected by a regional natural park whose highest point reaches 600 metres, with many wild cliffs, small coves, caves and solitary beaches that are difficult to reach except by sea.
Beautiful hikes allow you to discover this mount and its natural treasures, along panoramic trails, on foot or by mountain bike, passing along the coast, hamlets, and sites such as the San Fruttoso Abbey , Vetta, Mount Portofino which reaches 610 metres, the hamlet of San Rocco, Punta Chiappa and of course Portofino.
By bike or on foot you can easily set off from Santa Maria Ligure, Camogli or Portofino. The first two are easily accessible by train or car.

San Fruttuoso

San Fruttuoso is one of the most beautiful sites in Liguria, a small cove that can be reached by trails with a 400-metre elevation gain, or more easily by sea (boat, canoe or kayak) setting off from one of the nearby ports: Portofino, Camogli, Santa Margherita or beyond.

San Fruttuoso Abbey

The suggestive San Fruttuoso di Capodimonte Abbey is nestled between the rocky walls of the cove and extends onto the small pebble beach with its very pure water. It is a remarkable monastic complex, whose construction dates back to the 11th century. Throughout history, it was occupied by the Benedictines, as well as by fishermen and pirates. The Doria family enlarged it in the 13th century with the loggia, and the upper cloister was rebuilt in the 16th century.
The medieval church was raised, with the apse carved into the rock. The dome crowns an octagonal tower. The cloister houses seven tombs of the Doria family.
The site was also occupied by fishermen, and sometimes pirates.
In 1983, the Doria Pamphili donated buildings and land to the FAI, which conserves them today and allows the public to visit them.

The complex includes the church, the cloister, the fishermen’s houses and the Doria Tower. The latter was erected by the family of the same name in the 16th century to defend against Barbary incursions.
Today there are a few cafés-restaurants and a hotel. Despite the location, the site is often congested in summer (until the last boat leaves).

The Christ of the Abyss

In 1954 a large bronze statue of Christ 2.50 metres tall, the Christ of the Abyss, was installed at a depth of 17 metres. It can be discovered by freediving, or with certain glass-bottomed boats.

Getting to San Fruttuoso

On foot, San Fruttuoso can be reached:

• From the Portofino Vetta car park, in about 1h30, with an elevation gain of nearly 400 metres.
• From Camogli via two standard routes via San Rocco and Monte Tocco (3h, 7km) or via San Rocco and Gaixella (2h30, 6km) of about 6 km, or in 3h30 via a difficult route via San Rocco and Cala dell’Oro.
• From Santa Margherita Ligure in about 2h30 over about 6 km passing through Nozarego.

Punta Chiappa

At the south-western end of the promontory, after the tiny port of Porto Pidocchio, you reach Punta Chiappa coming from the hamlet of San Rocco, one of the most beautiful sites in the park, marking the tip of the Gulf of Paradise.
The site is pleasant for swimming with its clean waters and its many fish.

San Rocco di Camogli

From this little perched hamlet there is a superb view over the whole Ligurian coast, as far as the Côte d’Azur.
From San Rocco, you can reach Punta Chiappa, Monte di Portofino, and then San Fruttuoso via the trails.
The site is charming at sunset.

Other sites and trail map

Two places accessible on foot as refreshment points: Mulino del Gassetta and Agririfugio Molini.

The towns around the promontory

Portofino

Portofino

At the eastern end of the promontory and at the western tip of the Gulf of Tigullio, Portofino is a chic and glamorous village, the site being one of the most beautiful in Italy.

Santa Margherita Ligure

Among pretty hills, Santa Margherita Ligure is a pleasant small town and seaside resort, known in particular for the 17th-century Villa Durazzo.

Camogli

Pretty little town originally a fishing village in the eastern part of the Gulf of Paradise, with its colourful houses and its beautiful coastline

Map

⌖ Show interactive map

Information

• Wikipedia page: en.wikipedia.org
• Tourism portals: www.parcoportofino.com