Cinque Terre: The Beautiful Italian Riviera, Hiking the Five Towns in Northwest Italy

Cinque Terre consists of five villages embedded in a picturesque, coastal landscape beside the Mediterranean Sea. Most of the villages are on the water, but the beaches are rocky like nearby Nice in the French Riviera, not long, sandy beaches found in more tropical regions. Terraced vineyards and olive groves scatter the hills adjacent to these quiet villages. There are no magnificent museums or famous tourist spots here, other than the magnificent landscape that exists in the region.

Visitors can linger at plenty of outdoor cafes and local markets that still have that “old world” feel. On most warm summer nights, spontaneous dancers or singers will provide entertainment for those strolling through the town or enjoying a glass of local wine at a restaurant or bar.

The Trail

All of the towns are nearly traffic-free and best explored on foot. To cover the most ground while still catching glimpses of the sea, walking the trail that connects all five villages is the best option. The Cinque Terre is a national park and to maintain the unspoiled land, there is a nominal fee to walk on the trail. Making this coastal trek is a terrific way to see the views of the sea and the vineyard covered cliffs. Depending on the pace, it takes about 5 hours and parts of the trek can be quite arduous. Many visitors hike all five villages and take the train back to their destination.

The Route

Starting from the south and heading north, the path from Riomaggiore to Manorola is called Via Dell’Amore or “Lover’s Walk” and is the easiest and usually the most crowded. The next stretch begins in Manorola and travels up to the village of Corniglia. Corniglia is the only village of the five that is not situated directly on the water, but up on a hill. This segment remains fairly easy, with beautiful Mediterranean views and ends with a steep climb of over 350 stairs. The next village is Vernazza and this portion has difficult sections and includes winding paths with breathtaking views. Parts of the trail consist of an extremely narrow strip of dirt along a steep cliff. On the last stretch from Vernazza to Monterosso, there are steep stone paths that meander through more vineyards. On many spots along the trail, the villages can be seen in the distance with their pastel colored homes poking out from the land, jutting out towards the sea.

Other Hikes

Visitors also have the option of hiking up the surrounding hills where more small villages exist. These hikes are more strenuous and less crowded, but worth the adventure to see less touristy parts of the region. These inland villages include Groppo, where there is a small Cantina Sociale Wine Cooperative, and Volastra, a quiet village set high into the hills, with sweeping views.

Other Options Instead of Hiking

This region is known for its beauty and each town offers its own unique flavor and character. For those who do not find hiking appealing, the trek should not prevent those travelers from visiting. If the trek is not a viable option, a train makes stops in all five villages. This allows the option to still explore the villages. In addition to the train, visitors can view the region from the water on small passenger ferries that stop in all of the villages except Corniglia, since it does not have direct water access. There are many methods of travel to see Cinque Terre, depending on fitness level, interest, and time.