Pearl of the eastern Ligurian Riviera, San Fruttuoso is a tiny inlet at the foot of the Portofino Promontory, where some Benedictine monks, around the year 1000, decided to erect anabbey.
There are several ways to get to San Fruttuoso in fact, although it seems so isolated suspended between the sea and the mountains, it is accessible either by an excellent ferry system or by walking the paths within the Portofino Park.
Living in Genoa, we have been to San Fruttuoso several times, admiring it both from above during a trek in the park, and from the sea approaching it slowly by ferry, and in both cases it is very impressive.
In this article, therefore, you will find all the connections by land and sea to get to San Fruttuoso leaving from Camogli.
Advice with children
If the child is small – or even in the case of an untrained hiker – going and coming back on foot could be really challenging.
Therefore, the advice could be to make the trek on the outward journey and take the ferry back (or vice versa). There are many solutions.
Boat Camogli San Fruttuoso
Departure point for the ferries is the Porto Antico in Genoa and the stops along the way are generally Nervi, Recco, Camogli and San Fruttuoso with the final arrival in Portofino.
The main companies involved in this efficient ferry service are the Consorzio Liguria Via Mare and the Compagnia Golfo Paradiso.
From Camogli to San Fruttuoso, the ferry takes about 30 minutes.
It may be useful to know that in very rough sea conditions, the ferry cannot dock.
Trekking
The Portofino Regional Natural Park contains a variety of paths, always well signposted and well-maintained.
There are basically two itineraries that lead from Camogli to San Fruttuoso and they are quite demanding but nevertheless doable. Let us see them one by one.
Camogli – San Rocco – Batterie – Passo del Bacio – San Fruttuoso
The path from Camogli to San Fruttuoso, passing through San Rocco and the Batterie, is the most beautiful and scenic, overhanging the coast, and is suitable for adults who are trained and accustomed to trekking.
Passo del Bacio
Along the route, there is a short equipped stretch – the Passo del Bacio, to be precise – which has been the subject of numerous accidents, some serious.
We have walked it several times (without children) and, in our opinion, it does not present any particular dangers provided that we do not walk it during the hottest hours of summer, and that we wear suitable equipment. In fact, it is not infrequent to see hikers wearing sea slippers .
The route from Camogli to San Fruttuoso is a total of 5,500 metres long and can be covered in an estimated time of 4 hours.
The first part, from Camogli to San Rocco, is 1,200 metres long and runs along a wide, stepped path through villas and olive groves.
To reach the path, one must take Via San Bartolomeo, passing the Caserma dei Carabinieri (Carabinieri barracks) and some car parks, reserved for residents.
The signpost to follow is identified by two red stickers.
At San Rocco begins the panoramic, truly fascinating 4,300 metre-long route that passes the Batterie, a Second World War bunker emplacement, and the Bacio Pass, finally arriving at San Fruttuoso.
The trek is really demanding and, all in all, for the return you can think about using the boat!
To find out where to park in Camogli, you can look at this article.
Camogli – San Rocco – Portofino Vetta – Pietre Strette – San Fruttuoso
The path that passes through Pietre Strette is easier and can also be walked by children.
The first part of the excursion, that is, from Camogli to San Rocco, is the same as the one described above.
From San Rocco, go past the church and take the uphill path on the left, marked by the circle sign , which leads to Portofino Vetta, in about 45 minutes.
Through an almost flat path, in about 20 minutes you arrive at Pietre Strette, a crossroads of several paths.
Here you will find a small fountain with drinking water.
At this point, take the downhill path that leads to San Fruttuoso in an estimated total time of about three hours.
The walk is simple and suitable for the whole family.
If you do not want to take the boat but return on foot, the advice might be to park directly at Portofino Vetta so as to save 5 kilometres between the round trip.
What to do in San Fruttuoso
In addition to the Benedictine monastery that holds the ashes of the saint from Tarragona, the Christ of the Abyss can be found in the bay of San Fruttuoso.
This is a bronze statue placed in 1954 on the seabed at a depth of 15 metres, in memory of all the victims of the sea.
It may be useful to know that guided dives are organised. For all the information, you can have a look at this link.
And, in fine weather, you can go for a swim in the small, secluded beach, often voted among the most beautiful in Liguria.
Where to sleep in San Fruttuoso
Casa dell’Arco 31 offers a holiday home equipped with everything you need for cooking. Breakfast and dinner are available at an additional cost.
The price is not exactly popular, but the view over the Bay of San Fruttuoso is truly exceptional! Book here.
Continue reading:
1. Trekking Camogli – San Rocco – Punta Chiappa
3. Rapallo
