The Cinque Terre hike from village to village offers a fascinating mix of cultural richness and adventurous activities. It connects five picturesque, dreamy villages dating back to the Middle Ages and is located around 80 kilometres south of Genoa. The cliffs on which the villages were built rise majestically from the crystal-clear sea and offer breathtaking views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The hike takes you through terraced vineyards that nestle against the steep cliffs and through fragrant lemon groves. This unique tour promises an unforgettable experience in one of Italy's most beautiful regions. I simply loved it - chapeau!
Content
1. Journey
2. Route
3. Accommodation
4. Weather and best time to travel
5. Further information
6. Recommended stages
7. Packing list
8. GPX and map information
9. Conclusion
Cinque Terre hike from village to village
Hiking from village to village works wonderfully in the Cinque Terre National Park. The Cinque Terre stretches for around twelve kilometres along a coastal strip of the Italian Riviera with a favourable climate, between Punta Mesco and Punta di Montenero, northwest of La Spezia in the Liguria region. From north-west to south-east, the five picturesque villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore are strung together and connected by an easily accessible hiking trail. The high mountains, the romantic villages and the steeply sloping coast form a breathtaking backdrop for long hikes and make the Cinque Terre an unforgettable experience.
As always, I recommend my video on the tour:
Cinque Terre Arrival
Flight: The best option is to fly to Pisa, to the Aeroporto Internazionale di Pisa Galileo Galilei airport. I highly recommend using Skyscanner to find cheap flights – it's a great app that gives you a quick overview of the best flight deals. Here you will find an overview of all the relevant airports for your journey.
Train: Travelling by train is also a good option. From the airport, you can walk to the train station in Pisa in just a few minutes. From there, take a train to La Spezia. I spent my first night in La Spezia, as there is some reasonably priced accommodation there. From there, you also have a good bus connection to the starting point of the hike. I highly recommend the OMIO app for booking bus and train tickets.
Bus: The next morning, you can take the regional bus 11/P to Porto Venere, which will take you directly to the starting point of the tour.
Car: If you are travelling by car, I can recommend the multi-storey car park in Porto Venere, which is a good option due to the poor parking situation.
‘Only where you have been on foot have you really been.’ Quote from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Cinque terre route
On the Cinque Terre hike from village to village, you have to cover 40 km and around 2000 metres in altitude. I did the tour in two days, which is quite sporty. For those who want to take a more relaxed approach, I would recommend 3-4 days. You can also extend the tour by several hundred kilometres. There is a well-developed network of paths.
The hiking trails in the Cinque Terre vary in difficulty. The blue coastal path (Sentiero Azzurro) is technically moderate, but steep and narrow in places. Some sections, such as between Vernazza and Corniglia, require surefootedness. A fee is charged for access to the main sections of the Sentiero Azzurro, as these are well maintained. The higher trails, such as the Sentiero dei Santuari, are more challenging but offer great views and are free of charge. Good footwear is essential for all routes.
Cinque Terre hiking stages
Below you will find the recommended stages for the Cinque Terre 5 villages hike.
For the sporty:
Stage 1: Porto Venere - Riomaggiore or Manarola approx. 19 km
Stage 2: Manarola - Monterosso al Mare or Levanto approx. 19 or 25 km
For connoisseurs:
Stage 1: Porto Venere - Corniglia
Stage 2: Corniglia - Monterosso al Mare
Stage 3: Monterosso al Mare - Levanto
Cinque Terre hiking 5 days
Für Besucher, die mehr Zeit mitbringen und sich intensiv der Kultur, Kulinarik sowie den beeindruckenden Weinterrassen widmen möchten, empfehle ich einen ausgiebigen Stopp in jedem der fünf Dörfer. So hast du auch genügend Zeit, die Dörfer in Ruhe zu erkunden.
Cinque terre guide
Day 1: Porto Venere is the starting point of the hike. It is a medieval village with a picturesque harbour in a fantastic location right by the sea. The small harbour is surrounded by many colourfully painted houses. In the main street, Via Cappelini, you will find numerous small shops, restaurants and beautifully decorated historic buildings. Now follow the beautiful coastal footpath that takes you past the fortress and the traditional Italian cemetery. You will embark on a journey through the history and culture of Italy by exploring the historic paths that connect the villages. The air is filled with the salty scent of the sea and the aroma of wild herbs growing by the wayside. Now it's time for you: Hiking with breathtaking sea views until you reach the picturesque villages of Manarola and Riomaggiore. Pastel-coloured houses, narrow alleyways and charming little harbours await you there. Riomaggiore and Manarola are roughly halfway along the route, making it an excellent place to spend the first night.
In between, there are always small villages and refreshment stops that offer you the opportunity to take a break and enjoy the breathtaking views. Here you can also sample the delicacies of the local cuisine. It's a journey that appeals to all the senses. I found the small wine terraces along the way particularly inviting. Treat yourself to a glass - cheers!
Day 2: On the second day, it's another sweat-inducing hike, sometimes uphill, sometimes downhill, along the coast to Monterosso al Mare. Unfortunately, there is a charge for the hiking trail between Monterosso and Vernazza. The old paths high above the sea offer fantastic views and lead you through sunny vineyards, olive groves and along dry stone walls and steep slopes. As there is only limited shade, I would like to take this opportunity to recommend my favourite Piz Buin Mountain sun cream and my ultra-light sun cap!
• Sun cap
"The sun also shines behind the clouds." Quote from Karl Friedrich Wilhelm Wander
In contrast to the gently sloping beaches south of La Spezia, the coast of the Cinque Terre is partly rugged and rocky. The hiking trails are also steep in many places and can only be walked safely with suitable, sturdy footwear.
That's why i would also like to recommend my beloved Salewa trekking shoes because of the challenging mountain trails:
"Only where you have been on foot have you really been". Quote Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Attention: Especially in spring, when the rich vegetation on the mild coastal strip is in full bloom, the hiking trails are very busy.
Return journey: From Monterroso al Mare, you can travel directly back to Pisa, Genoa or La Spezia by train.
Tip: From Monterosso al Mare, you can extend your hike to include the ‘Via dei Santuari’, a section from Monterosso to Vernazza that is steeped in history. I particularly enjoyed this part of the route. In total, around 120 kilometres of hiking trails lead through the Cinque Terre National Park World Heritage Site.
Cinque terre accommodation
Wild camping: is not permitted on the Cinque Terre and is difficult to do. Unfortunately, the accommodation is not exactly cheap. I paid 100 euros for one night in Manarola.
So on your hike from village to village, you can only stay in a hotel or flat. I would strongly recommend booking well in advance.
You can book a hotel or flat in any town. The best way to do this is with ‘Booking’ or ‘Airbnb’. You can also simply halve routes if the stages are too long.
For optimal preparation for any tour, I recommend the workouts on my Youtube channel:
Cinque terre hike best time
There is often a mix of sun and cloud on the Cinque Terre. Depending on the time of year, the temperatures are pleasantly warm. There is hardly a bad time to visit the Cinque Terre. Nevertheless, I recommend the period from April to June and September to mid-October. In July and August it can be very hot and therefore unpleasant for hiking.
Please note: In winter, there may be some snow on the mountains. So check before you start your tour or google for a local webcam.
Italienisches Sprichwort: „Chi va piano va sano e va lontano.“
English: "If you take it slow and easy, you will stay healthy and go far".
Further information: Cinque Terre Experience
Good footwear is mandatory: The Cinque Terre Trail has a legal guideline for correct footwear. Anyone entering the hiking trails in the national park with inadequate footwear, such as sandals or flip-flops, will be subject to considerable penalties.
Hiking trails app: With the hiking trails app of the National Park Authority you get all the information about the condition of the trails. The app is free of charge.
Ultrarunning event: "Sciacchetrail" is the name of a small ultrarun that leads through the Cinque Terre villages at the beginning of April with 47 km and 2,650 metres of altitude. The special thing about the "Sciacchetrail" is that it is limited to 300 participants: www.sciacchetrail.com. Pay attention to the date of the run, otherwise your hiking adventure is over.
Money: I was able to pay electronically everywhere without any problems. Nevertheless, I recommend taking some cash with you, as it can come in handy in some cases.
Mobile phone reception: I didn't have reception everywhere during the hike. Especially in the mountain coves, there was no reception at all.
Cinque terre hike pass
The Cinque Terre Card is available in two versions:
The Cinque Terre Trekking Card costs 7.50 euros or 15 euros per day for adults, depending on the period of your visit
The card includes the following services:
- Access to the paid hiking trails from Monterosso to Corniglia.
- Use of all minibuses in the Cinque Terre Park
- Free use of toilets at the railway station in Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso.
- Discounts on admission to the city museums of La Spezia.
The Cinque Terre Treno MS Card includes the following services in addition to use of the paid hiking trails:
- Unlimited train journeys on the Levanto - Cinque Terre - La Spezia route and back (regional trains in 2nd class)
- Access to the paid hiking trails from Monterosso to Corniglia.
- Free use of toilets at the railway stations of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso.
- Use of all minibuses in the Cinque Terre Park
- Discounts on admission to the city museums of La Spezia.
Cinque Terre Villages Map Online
To avoid queues, you can buy the Cinque Terre Card conveniently online on the go in the Trenitalia app or on the website of the Cinque Terre National Park. You do not need to validate online tickets.
Cinque Terre hiking holiday
A hiking holiday in the Cinque Terre is a real highlight for nature and culture lovers. After the famous long-distance hiking trail through the five picturesque villages, a well-developed network of hiking trails awaits you, bringing you closer to the diversity of the Ligurian landscape - from coastal paths with magnificent sea views to quiet trails through olive groves and vineyards.
The region perfectly combines hiking with culture and cuisine. Discover the charming villages with their colourful houses, try fresh fish, local wines and delicious Ligurian cuisine. After your days of hiking, you can relax and unwind on the small beaches of the Cinque Terre or in the seaside resorts in the surrounding area. This mix of activity, enjoyment and relaxation makes a hiking holiday in the Cinque Terre unforgettable!
Cinque terre coastal hiking trail
The Cinque Terre coastal hiking trail offers breathtaking views of the deep blue sea and colourful villages. The section between Porto Venere and Manarola is a particular highlight: it leads over steep cliffs, through olive groves and offers magnificent panoramas, where you can also explore an impressive old fortress and a historic Italian cemetery. An unforgettable route that combines nature and culture!
Don't forget to take an emergency bivouac with you. It consists of an emergency blanket that is cold-resistant, a whistle and a mini compass. It should be in your rucksack on every hike anyway.
As the old Scottish saying goes: "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes!"
Cinque terre packing list
Here I recommend the most important hiking equipment that I own, have tested myself and have also bought myself. I pay a lot of attention to the weight and quality of my equipment. The equipment should simply feel good on longer tours and also be light. I can recommend the equipment for women because my wife uses it and it is basically the same as the equipment for men.
Note: Please keep in mind that the packing list is general and you will have to adapt it depending on the season and your needs!
Advertising note: These product links are affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, I will receive a small commission without you having to pay more. This is for the maintenance of my blog and you support me with my project, for which I am very grateful. Thank you very much!
Clothes
Hiking boots
Hiking shorts
Long hiking pants
Functional shirt
Hybridjacket
Fleece-jacket
Rain jacket
Functional underwear
Hiking socks
Other hiking equipment:
• Sun cap
• Bivouac
Hiking backback (approx. 60 litres or as required)
by EXPED - unfortunately not available on Amazon.
• Backback - Ospray (was my old one and is also good)
Technology and orientation:
• Compass
• Headlamp
• GPS device or GPS watch if necessary
• Binoculars if necessary
Catering:
• Sweets to keep up morale :)
Health & first Aid:
• First Aid (small and light)
• Tape
• Bivouac
• Toilet paper
Other:
• Passport/Insurance certificate
• cash
• Gas cartridge
Film equipment:
• Camera
• Drone
• Tripod
• Clip
Cinque terre GPX
The GPX files are available for download from the following providers.
Outdooractive: https://out.ac/3ukEbB
Here is the route on the map:
Long-distance hiking trails in Europe: 90 routes, all countries
Cinque terre conclusion
The Cinque Terre hike from village to village is an unforgettable journey through a unique landscape where you can experience the beauty of Italy up close. It shows a cross-section of the beautiful landscape of the Cinque Terre National Park. I really enjoyed the tour! Have a great time and good luck ;)
As always, I would be very happy to receive feedback via one of my channels.
You are also welcome to leave me a comment.
Hello, I am Christian, the chief globetrotter of this Site and an enthusiastic adventurer, hiker and filmmaker. I love to explore new paths and inspire people with them, and I love to share my hiking knowledge with you! You can also find my videos on YouTube! On my blog you can find tips for beginners and professionals on the greatest and most beautiful hiking tours there are. I want to encourage people to explore the world as a hiker, whether in the countryside, through the forest or in the mountains. True to the motto: If you haven't hiked, you haven't seen the world,
On my blog, I also write about hiking gear, the right summit training and nature conservation, as well as tips and information about hiking.
Comments