On the beach… with hiking boots!

Surprise and wonder: that’s what you can read on the face of a tourist who exits the tiny Framura train station. A few steps to the east, and you start walking on the path that connects it to the small village of Bonassola. It feels like you’re on a mountain trail, even though you’re surrounded by the colours and scents of the Mediterranean maquis. A short detour to a place called “Salto della Lepre” allows you to reach an exceptional panoramic point: you stand suspended on this cliff overlooking the sea, with the waves crashing on the rocks, and your gaze hypnotized by so much natural beauty.

After the break, you descend towards Bonassola, nestled in a charming bay. It’s small too, but it has a beautiful sandy beach and a crystal-clear sea with greenish tones, as the small pebbles on the beach are made of black and light green stones.

It’s the perfect time for a swim: the swimsuit and towel you brought along for sunbathing during the hike come in handy for this purpose as well.

In the sea area enclosed between Punta della Madonna and Punta Levanto, far from the tourist boats along the coast, you’ll feel like you’ve found a safe harbour.

After the beach, another surprise awaits: the historic centre of Bonassola, semi-hidden by the viaduct of the disused railway line (now a cycle and pedestrian path from Levanto to Framura), harbours other delights. You can find ice cream shops, bakeries offering focaccia, and opportunities to savour local specialties, including a glass of white wine.

It’s the perfect ending to a day at the beach… with your hiking boots!

The municipality of Framura is divided into five settlements arranged along the slope: Anzo, Ravecca, Setta, Costa, and Castagnola.

In the historic centre of Bonassola, you can spot the Ardoino Castle (16th century) and the Church of Santa Caterina. On the western side of the bay that hosts the village, you’ll find the small Church of Madonnina della Punta.

The area is known for producing high-quality local products: the DOC wine “Colline di Levanto” (since 1995, although the first evidence of vine cultivation dates back to the 13th century). The wines include red (Sangiovese and ciliegiolo grape varieties) and white (Bosco, Albarola, and Levantino grape varieties). The local olive varieties Razzola and Lavagnina are used to produce the extra virgin olive oil DOP Riviera Ligure di Levante.