Palmaria, Portovenere National Park

Palmaria Island is located off Portovenere and again is a UNESCO world heritage site. A 5 minute boat ride is all it takes to reach the port and 3 main privately owned beach sites can be chosen from. To use the stony beaches it's advisable to use a lounge for comfort but these come at a price usually from €8. Another absolutely worthwhile attraction of the island are it's walking trails. It is possible to walk the entire way around the island on an 8km trail through diverse paths that undulate and weave around the craggy coast line of the island. Marked by CAI as trail number 1, the path includes stony sections, sheer rock and red soil. Bird life is abundant and the late Spring flowers add a splash of purples, yellows and whites. 

The path hovers over grottos and deep rock crevices with the bluest of water glistening below. Along the way there is plenty of evidence of military bunkers and look outs that were used during World War II. A quarry on the southern side close to Pozzale was used for black marble and gold. The bird life, scurrying geckos, the odd goat and rabbit, along with the rugged environment and beautiful views immerse you in a wonderful natural environment. The path is also relatively peaceful with only a few fellow hikers passing by.

I am surprised at the challenging climbs of the trail and even more surprised at the signage labelling the extremely steep descent from the summit of the small mountain that forms the island (it's approximately 500m in altitude) as 'difficult'. This is never an exaggeration on Italian paths so I feel a little nervous as I eye the loose rock and thick ropes affording support to the side if the trail. Forward thinking is required to ensure safe footing but the breathtaking views back to Portovenere with it's colourful tower houses, busy ports and ancient fort and churches are certainly worth all the effort. The full journey takes between 2.5-3 hours and so a swim in the the cool shallow waters on the beach front at the end is a great way to end your treat.