Hiking Over to and Through Framura

We continue exploring north of Cinque Terre and head to Bonassola and up from Bonassola to the next town of Framura, hiking through the old railroad tunnels along the sea.  Framura consists of five villages (Anzo, Ravecca, Setta, Costa, and Castagnola) located on a winding road up the hill from the train station and is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy").

It's another stormy day as we pass the Monterosso beaches with their umbrellas furled on our way to the train station for the short trip to Levanto.  We then walk from the Levanto train station to the beach in Levanto (umbrellas similarly furled), over the hills to Bonassola, and through the tunnels to Framura.

Monterosso beaches

Levanto beaches

Surfers in Levanto

We head up and over the hill from Levanto, continuing on to Bonassola.

Leaving Levanto

Approaching Bonassola

Views from breaks in the railroad tunnel

We catch the local Framura bus from the train station up the hill to Setta, the middle of the five towns, and follow the path (and for a while, the road, where the path is being refurbished) back down the hill toward lunch by the train station and the sea.  The five villages of Framura are located one above the other on the hill, from sea level to 300 meters (984 feet) above the sea.

The five villages of Framura

Views from Setta (middle village)

Following the path down

We arrive back at the train station and walk under the tracks to the little restaurant between the tracks and the sea where we share bruschetta (with tomatoes and tomatoes/anchovies) and glasses of wine.

Lunch by the train station

Returning to Monterosso, the sea is still agitated, making great waves (and very little swimming today).

Rough seas today

It's been another great day of exploration further afield from our base in Cinque Terre.

Heading Toward Termine, Looking Down on Monterosso

The morning rain shower comes to an end and we decide to take a quick hike in a loop around Monterosso, heading up toward Il Termine, straight up the hills behind the village.  We don't make it all the way to Il Termine, but get great views of Monterosso from above, with the rain clouds still on the horizon.  The path is steep and bring us up quickly.

Heading up

Looking back at Monterosso

Continuing up

Passing through vineyards above Monterosso

More view back down at Monterosso

More steep up

Soon we reach the road to from Monterosso to Colla di Gritta for the second time (we cross it soon after leaving Monterosso, then continue on the footpath up the steep hill as the road takes a more leisurely route up with switchbacks).

Reaching and following the road

The views from up here are fabulous and we enjoy them as we traverse around Monterosso.

View back at Monterosso

We reach the path from Soviore to Monterosso and follow it back into town to complete our long loop around the village.  The rain has held off while we made our journey and we return dry and well-exercised.

Hills in the clouds

A more gentle path down

Returning to the village

Completing our loop