The Cinque Terre invite you on their tourist trails and walks which curve round the coast or reach the sanctuaries above each village. In italian language, a footpath (or a trail) is called a Sentiero.
Hiking in Cinque Terre don’t really require any special gear, you only need a sport pair of shoes and some water, especially in the summer season. The section between Riomaggiore and Monterosso has been called the Via dell’Amore, because lovers like the fantastic view on the top of the sea.
The day started in Riomaggiore with the visit of the village followed by a nice short walk on the famous Via dell’Amore to Manarola, the picturesque village which seems to be suspended like a swallow’s nest over the sea.
In the small village Volastra above Manarola on an idyllic place can be done a picnic with wine and focaccia. One of the most exciting footpaths crosses directly the terrace fields accompanied by the intense scents and colours of the Mediterranean vegetation and offering breathtaking panoramic views.
Corniglia, the final destination of our walking tour in Cinque Terre, is the smallest and most original village of the Cinque Terre with a beautiful Piazza. The walking tour in cinque Terre ended at the train station of Corniglia.
Cinque terre walking tour
The first part of the walk from Riomaggiore to Manarola is 1km long and takes about 15-20 minutes, depending on how long you stop to gaze at the view!
The next section of the walk is from Manarola to Corniglia. This section is 3km long and takes about 1 hour. Parts of this trail are again pretty easy, but it is steeper and at times the ground is uneven under foot.
The next section, from Manarola to Corniglia is the most hard because to reach the village of Corniglia there are approx 365 stairs to climb.
The next part of the via dell’amore, between Corniglia and Vernazza is the most scenic part. Walking tours between Vernazza and Monterosso is the most difficult. It is 4kms long and has lots of ups and downs and steep stairs. The views you get from up on the hill are fantastic. Breathe the fresh sea air and absorb the view.
THE HIGH PATH (La Spezia’s C.A.I.’s N°1 Path)
This is known as the Cinque Terre’s High Road: a sentiero that begins in Portovenere and ends in Levanto. The walking tours begins at sea level in the fantastic village of Portovenere and reaches a height of 800 metres to then descend again to sea level in Levanto. It is 40 or so kilometres long (25 miles) and one needs 10 hours to complete it and, though it is challenging, hiking professionals can do it.
THE BLUE PATH (N°2 CAI)
This is the most famous and spectacular path. It was made, over the centuries, by those who used it to move from one village to another and in many parts it is a mule track. This footpath is the Via dell’amore, that connect Riomaggiore and Monterosso, passing for the others Cinque terre.
- Riomaggiore – Manarola: 1,0 km. Completion time: 25 min.
- Manarola – Corniglia: 2,8 km. Completion time: 1 h.
- Corniglia – Vernazza: 3,4 km. Completion time: 1,45 h.
- Vernazza – Monterosso: 3,8 km. Completion time: 2 h.