Route from Camogli to San Rocco and Punta Chiappa

Punta Chiappa beach hides away (almost) inaccessible halfway between Camogli and Portofino on the Ligurian coast.

It's the perfect spot to sunbathe during the day and catch an unforgettable sunset.

Getting there is a bit trickier, but not so much if you keep reading. 😉

Technical details

Difficulty: easy – moderate.
Length: 3.6 km (one way).
Elevation gain: 230 m (steep inclines).
Hiking time: 1.5 hours.
Start: Camogli.
End: Punta Chiappa.
Date completed (photos): June, 2013.

Hike from Camogli to San Rocco and Punta Chiappa

Stairs up to San Rocco

When you arrive in Camogli, instead of heading straight for the town center (or, even better, after wandering through its colorful alleys), make your way southwest to where the car parking area is located (marked on the map at the end of this post).

From there, you'll spot the signs for San Rocco and San Fruttuoso marked by 2 red dots (via San Rocco).

Up those stairs?

Yep! The trail is a mix of steep slopes and stairs, so take it easy, take all the breaks you need, and power through the climb!

Descent to San Nicolò di Capodimonte

Once you reach San Rocco, you're in luck: from here on out, it's all downhill with postcard-perfect views.

Follow the trail with the 2 red dots until you hit the turnoff for San Nicolò di Capodimonte and Punta Chiappa, marked with 2 red squares.

Here, your path splits from the longer marked route (the one with the 2 red dots) that goes to Portofino via San Fruttuoso (to shorten it, you can start in San Fruttuoso, like we did on another trip).

In a few minutes, you'll reach the San Nicolò viewpoint, where you can take in views of Camogli and the Ligurian coast.

You could spend hours soaking in these views, but the beach is calling! 😉

Arriving at Punta Chiappa

A bit later, you'll reach the tiny harbor of Porto Pidocchio, where you can take a dip.

However, if you keep going just a little further, you'll reach the massive rock of Punta Chiappa with its flat southeast side sloping down to the sea—ideal for soaking up the morning sun.

Do you know what «Punta Chiappa» means?
Butt Cheek Point!
You can't tell me that isn't funny. 🤣

Heading back to Camogli

Keep this in mind for the return trip!

If you don't feel like retracing your steps all the way uphill to San Rocco, I definitely recommend making sure there's a boat to pick you up at Punta Chiappa to take you back to Camogli.

View of Camogli at sunset from Punta Chiappa

How?

Stop by the ticket booth in Camogli before starting the hike and buy your return tickets from Punta Chiappa to Camogli (€6/person).

That's the only way to make sure the ferry schedule is accurate (and that it will actually stop at Punta Chiappa on its way back from San Fruttuoso).

Why am I telling you all this?

Because we arrived at sunset without tickets, the last ferry didn't stop at Punta Chiappa, and we had a really hard time finding a water taxi to get us back to Camogli (for way more than €6/person).

Tour boat departing from Camogli to San Fruttuoso

They say you only learn from your own mistakes, but maybe this time you can learn from ours. 😉

When to go

If what you're after is swimming in the sea and sunbathing, the best time to visit is from mid-June to mid-September—basically in summer.

However, on top of being pretty hot, you'll also run into lots of tourists, both international and Italian. Maybe not on the uphill climb to San Rocco, but definitely sunbathing at Punta Chiappa.

So, if you can skip the swim (or don't mind cold water), any other time of year will be much quieter and way more pleasant for hiking around Portofino Natural Park.

Panoramic view of Camogli beach and part of the Portofino Natural Park

What to bring

Food: pack whatever you feel like eating in your backpack for the hike, especially if you plan to spend a day enjoying the sun and sea at Punta Chiappa. Need some inspiration?: sandwiches, focaccia, juicy seasonal fruits, nuts…
Water: In San Rocco you'll find a shop to buy water, several bars, and a couple of drinking fountains on the way down to Punta Chiappa. There are also great restaurants right by Punta Chiappa, but I still recommend bringing some water with you for those dry moments (a 0.5-1L water bottle per person should be enough).
Sun protection: Is the sun shining? Then don't forget to pack sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat...
Clothing: Light clothes, comfortable sneakers or hiking boots, and a swimsuit. For the ladies, just a heads-up that going topless isn't really common or well-received in Italy (it might seem silly or surprising to you—it definitely shocked me—but it's much better to respect the local culture, especially as a visitor, rather than challenge it just because things are different back home).
Travel insurance: If you don't have a European Health Insurance Card and want to travel worry-free, book your IATI travel insurance through this link and get a 5% discount. They offer customizable coverage tailored to your needs and pay all medical expenses upfront if you notify them first.

Where to sleep

Detail of a building in Camogli with trompe-l'œil

Since I lived for 5 years in Genoa, just a quick 30-minute train ride from Camogli, I never had to look for accommodation in this area.

However, if I were to visit again, I'd try to stay at one of the hotels and B&Bs in Camogli.

I'd love to wake up early (or stay out late) and make the most of wandering its colorful, nearly empty streets.

What will it be like?

Where to Eat

In Camogli you'll find plenty of osterias, pizzerias, or, if you prefer takeout, "focaccerias" (bakeries selling slices of focaccia, a local bread topped with cheese, veggies, or meat) that are as cheap as they are delicious.

My favorite kinds were the focaccia di Recco (with a typical local cheese) and the cipolla (onion) one. Yummm...