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Hiking Cinque Terre, Italy
Hiking in Cinque Terre takes you through five gorgeous villages along the Italian Riviera, showcasing colorful terraced landscapes and a uniquely Italian essence. Our journey to this UNESCO World Heritage Site was inspired by hearing about it from Rick Steves, who regards hiking in Cinque Terre as one of his favorite European activities. During a road trip through the French Riviera, we found ourselves just a 3-hour drive from Italy’s stunning Cinque Terre, compelling us to make a detour.
The drive into Cinque Terre was breathtaking, as we navigated winding roads above the clouds, creating a sense of anticipation for the stunning views that awaited us. Upon descending, the sea views revealed one of the Mediterranean’s most picturesque coastlines.
No cars are permitted in the five towns; therefore, we made Levanto our base, which is just an 8-minute train ride to Vernazza, the most renowned of the Cinque Terre towns featuring a seaport and beach facilities. This area is convenient for parking, making it an ideal choice.
The five picturesque towns of Cinque Terre are Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, all connected by boat, bus, train, and scenic walking trails along the coast.
Undoubtedly, a hiking trip in Cinque Terre is among the most scenic hikes one can experience in Italy. We’ll delve into exploring the best hiking trails through historic villages, terraced gardens, citrus orchards, and olive groves that provide incredible opportunities for seafront views. So, lace up your hiking boots, and let’s get going!
Where to Stay Near Cinque Terre
We chose Levanto as our accommodation when visiting Cinque Terre. Although not one of the five villages, Levanto is a charming town on the Mediterranean, conveniently located on the train line leading straight to the start of the hiking routes in Cinque Terre. With frequent ferry and train services, it serves as a perfect base at a more reasonable cost than the villages themselves. There is even a well-equipped campground here, known as Camping Acqua Dolce.
If your budget permits, experiencing the allure of staying in the heart of the villages is unparalleled.
- Hotel Porto Roca – This exquisite hotel overlooks Monterosso and is at the start of the 5 Terre path, featuring a pool and a restaurant with Mediterranean views.
- Stellio Affittacamare – Located in Riomaggiore, this highly-rated guesthouse features spectacular views.
- Riomaggiore Vacation Rental – This three-bedroom, one-bath rental accommodates five guests and is located near Riomaggiore Station.
- Monterosso Vacation Rental – Situated in Monterosso, this apartment rental boasts two bedrooms and one bath with stunning sea views, located on a hill accessible by climbing.
Cinque Terre Hiking Trail
Cinque Terre National Park features an impressive 120 km (74 miles) of hiking trails, allowing for days of exploration, yet the most popular trail is Sentiero Azzurro (translated as The Blue Pathway). This scenic route connects the villages from Riomaggiore to Monterosso and can be completed in one day.
We opted to take the train to Riomaggiore before hiking back to Monterosso, though the trail can be hiked in either direction as well.
The hike spans approximately 14 km (8.6 miles) due to recent trail adjustments. The Blue Trail contains five segments, each varying in difficulty, allowing hikers to navigate the entire route or make use of the train for convenience.
Portions of the Blue Trail
While some trails have been affected by flooding, rockslides, and erosion, making them temporarily closed for repairs, it is still feasible to hike throughout the five towns, albeit with slight adjustments. With effort comes significant reward.
- Riomaggiore – Manarola – (Closed) Via dell’Amore (Lover’s Lane), previously the most popular trail segment at only 1.5 km, is now closed until 2024. However, visitors can access a viewpoint 200 meters from Manarola.
- Riomaggiore – Manarola (via trail 531) – 1.4 km – This route has been reopened and serves as the historical connection between villages.
- Manarola – Corniglia – (Closed) This route, which used to be easy to traverse along the water, is now closed until 2025.
- Manarola – Corniglia – 5.5 km (3.4 Miles) This segment requires a climb of 1200 steps straight up, or you can take the bus to Volastra for an easier ascent.
- Corniglia – Vernazza – 3.5 km (2.17 miles)
- Vernazza – Monterosso al Mare – 3.3 km (2.05 miles)
The trails can be rugged, ascending from sea level to 250 meters (820 feet) above. While not overwhelmingly technical, sturdy hiking shoes or boots are essential. Some hikers even opt to use walking sticks. For comfort, you may wish to bring flip-flops for beach time after your hike.
Cinque Terre Pass
A Cinque Terre Card is required to hike the trails, which incurs an entrance fee.
- The Cinque Terre Trekking Card provides access to all trails and bus services.
- The Cinque Terre Train Card allows unlimited train travel between the villages in addition to access to all hiking pathways.
With trail closures taken into consideration, the Train Card is recommended, granting flexibility to hop on buses or catch trains back to your initial starting village. For just 18€, this card allows efficient travel across many locations, including stops at both Levanto and La Spezia.
Important: Ensure you stamp your train ticket at one of the machines. If found without a stamped ticket, fines apply.
During our hike, we made Levanto our base, using regular trains to travel between towns (including Levanto) and caught the 08:38 am train to Riomaggiore, where we began our hike along the Blue Path. After hiking back to Monterosso, we took the train back to Levanto.
Upon arriving at Riomaggiore, we had our Cinque Terre Card verified at the information booth, ensuring compliance for the Blue Trail. Keep your card with you at all times as checks are conducted at each village.
Riomaggiore to Manarola
The hiking trail commences in Riomaggiore, a buzzing town with numerous amenities due to its proximity to La Spezia. The trail meanders beautifully along the Italian Riviera’s Mediterranean coastline connecting the Five Villages, with many hikers making this part bustling.
Riomaggiore will remind you of the Amalfi Coast, characterized by pastel buildings stacked gracefully upward from the Ligurian Sea, creating a magnificent view.
If time allows, consider hiking to the Sanctuary of Montenero, a scenic trek through pine forests and terraced vineyards that leads to the Shrine of Our Lady of Montenero, established in 1335, which takes about an hour and is 3.5 km long.
The Way of Love (Via dell’Amore)
During our hike on the Sentiero Azzurro, we enjoyed the flat, uncomplicated section of Via dell’Amore as it was a breezy walk to Manarola. Surprised by our swift journey, we realized a day-long hike at that pace seemed improbable. Unfortunately, this section is also closed until 2024, compelling hikers to take a longer and steeper route full of rugged terrain, which also meant enjoying this route with fewer people.
Cinque Terre Experience
The main square by the church radiated traditional Italian charm, where local men patiently awaited the bus amid the hustle of town life. Savoring a cappuccino paired with a chocolate pastry, we admired views of luscious olive groves and vibrant vineyards.
The morning atmosphere was truly vibrant. The local men entered the café, greeting all with heartwarming “Ciaos, Grazies, and Pregos,” helping themselves to delectable pastries.
Ultimately, hiking through the Five Villages experiences is much more about immersing oneself in the culture rather than just completing the hike. A slower pace to absorb the culture, energy, and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea is essential.
The splendid views along the Cinque Terre deserve appreciation, and the charming towns compel visitors to linger and soak in every moment. Such is the reason why the Five Villages Hike draws so much attention—a landscape of vineyards and orchards coexists with an enduring culture, inviting tourists along for the journey.
Manarola to Corniglia
This section of the trail is currently under construction, thus hikers must choose an alternative path. Thankfully, we were met with luck, as the short route was open. It began with a gentle walk, culminating in a challenging climb of 382 steps up to the highest village in the region.
Today’s tourists face a longer path to reach Corniglia, a considerable hike lasting around 2.5 hours, ascending 1200 steps. While the initial climb of 382 may seem daunting, it is manageable. If a workout is not what you seek, use your Cinque Terre Card to take the bus from Manarola to Volastra, which streamlines the ascent, saving you a good hour.
The effort, however, pays off once in Corniglia, the highest village in Cinque Terre, where stunning views await. It’s the perfect spot for lunch, boasting plentiful restaurants and cafés.
Here, we indulged in the region’s famous specialty—deep-fried anchovies. Olive oil, Pesto, lemons, and local wines felt mouthwatering, making it impossible to resist their delectable offerings.
Corniglia to Vernazza
The trail from Corniglia to Vernazza presents a wilder path adorned by magnificent panoramic views. Wide trails reduce to narrow earth paths shrouded by trees and roots, contributing to a steeper climb.
While we relished our descent, hikers going uphill certainly faced greater challenges. Passing through verdant olive and lemon groves, the experience felt delightful, like stepping into paradise.
Vernazza
Known as the busiest town, Vernazza serves as a popular base for tourists. Centrally located yet bustling with visitors, it’s the place to purchase local products like pasta, olive oil, pesto, and wine. The irresistible pesto drizzled on fresh pasta leaves visitors craving for souvenirs to take home.
Do not miss indulging in a delectable triple scoop of gelato while here to energize yourself for the next stretch of your hike.
Vernazza to Monterosso
This segment of the Cinque Terre National Park sees many hikers traversing between Monterosso and Vernazza. Given the number of tourists based in these two towns, expect a lively ambiance on the trail. For us, it represented the most rugged terrain within Cinque Terre, featuring rolling slopes and a series of steps, mixed with pine forests, narrow paths, and farmland.
This stretch from Monterosso to Vernazza is notably more challenging, encompassing 500 steps. Considering our uphill climb earlier, we were grateful for receiving the downward trail instead. Ensure to take time to relish the iconic views that define Cinque Terre, as these opportunities are fleeting.
Monterosso
After a fulfilling day hiking the Cinque Terre’s Blue Trail, we took time to unwind and relax in Monterosso. We lounged on the beach, soaking in the sun alongside fellow sunbathers. It was a surreal moment, basking under the Italian sun on the Mediterranean Sea—an undeniable bucket list experience checked off.
As the day concluded, the packed trains indicated the high demand for travel, but we were content with our stamped tickets granting unlimited travel throughout the region. We returned to Levanto, where we treated ourselves to a picturesque sunset dinner at a delightful restaurant.
While we cherished our scenic hikes around Cinque Terre, we appreciated the respite from crowds, enjoying a peaceful night in Levanto.
Tourists flocking to the Cinque Terre creates noticeable crowds, but witnessing the Mediterranean Sea’s enchanting views makes the experience worthwhile. The villages cater well to tourism, providing ample shops and eateries along the trails, offering chances to relax with wine and local souvenirs.
What stands out about Cinque Terre is the Italian government’s commitment to sustainable tourism practices in maintaining its natural beauty. As a designated national park, these towns restrict modern developments and ensure that giant resorts do not spoil their coastal allure.
How to Get to Cinque Terre
The majority of visitors arrive in Cinque Terre via train, as cars are prohibited within the towns, and some villages are entirely inaccessible by car. During our drive from France, we found staying in Levanto to be straightforward, with parking available in Riomaggiore and Manarola. However, taking the train is the most advantageous means of transport.
The La Spezia Station serves as the main train station, where the Cinque Terre Express train connects Levanto every 20 minutes. The train’s first stop is Riomaggiore, which marks the beginning of the hiking trail. Our hike began in Riomaggiore, heading back toward Monterosso via the train.
The nearest international airport is Pisa, along with nearby Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport and Giuseppe Verdi Airport.
When to Hike the Cinque Terre
Peak Season runs through July and August, bringing heavy crowds to the hiking trails. We highly recommend avoiding these months due to the heat.
Shoulder season, particularly in September and October, presents a favorable time to hike, as the weather remains pleasant and the summer crowds dissipate. Spring also provides a less congested hiking experience.
Hiking is possible throughout the year, though winter trails may see limited access to shops and accommodations. For those seeking the best bargains, winter is an excellent time to visit, though layers are advised due to dipping temperatures.
Regardless of your travel timing, the stunning scenery ensures an unforgettable experience. If you’re journeying along the French or Italian Riviera, including a visit to Cinque Terre is an absolute must.
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