The 8 most beautiful hikes to do in the Cinque Terre

With steep and spectacular seaside terrains, hiking in the Cinque Terre is certainly the best way to discover this region apart, among the most beautiful in Italy.

As their name suggests, five villages make up the Cinque Terre, with north to south Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. In this very steep coastal region, each village nests almost incongruously between rocky promontories and water-flowing cliffs, and the sea level is quickly passed to the top of Mount Malpertuso, at 815 m above sea level.

We guess, the transport has never been simple in the vicinity... This is why we find more than 120 kilometers of trails that cross the whole of the Cinque Terre National Park , for the greatest pleasure of hikers. These are many to go hiking in the Cinque Terre de Easter until October, a season for walking, to such a point that some portions of literal trails (the unmissable "Azzuro Trail") are paid!

Good news, the steps, which are rather short in the whole, allow for easy water supply and to adapt its course to its level, to fully and safely enjoy the most beautiful hikes of the Cinque Terre.

1. The Azzuro trail of Vernazza in Monterosso

We enter directly into the subject with this hike from the Cinque Terre to do in one direction or another, to connect Vernazza to Monterosso. On the way, you will quickly understand where the region draws its fame: nature, olive groves, the Mediterranean, the two very typical villages and their colorful houses... The decor is simply splendid!

Take the time to get to the road (attention, a few narrow passages over the sea are to be expected) for the views, and don’t hesitate to leave early despite the relatively short walking time, as this section of the Azzuro trail, with the rather easy difficulty, counts among the most borrowed from the National Park.

The entrance of this path is set to 7,50 € in season (April-October).

2. The Azzuro Trail of Corniglia in Vernazza

Again, this second part of the Azzuro Trail (recall: paid entrance, 7,50 € in the season from April to October) can be done on foot in one direction as in the other, according to your hiking program in the Cinque Terre.

Some like it even more than the section linking Monterosso, to you to make a review, or to link it naturally to both, which form a superb seaside hiking route.

From Corniglia, the smallest village in the Cinque Terre, the trail takes altitude from the sea with the promontory of Punta Palma, perched at 208 m of altitude, and the strong moment of this hike for the unmistakable point of view. To travel early in the morning to avoid the world, or at the end of the day, for sunset.

3. From Manorala to Corniglia via Volastra and its terraces

Let's continue our hiking route in the Cinque Terre a little further south of the National Park, from Manorala, probably the most picturesque village in the region: you can see it on all postcards!

Take the height with a steep trail to reach another village, Volastra, perched on the reliefs at 330 m altitude. The trail then winds through the terraces and vineyards, fruit of incredible agricultural developments, before joining a series of stairs for the final descent on Corniglia. Memorable!

Please specify that this section is free , because we are no longer on the Azzuro path to speak.

4. From Riomaggiore to Porto Venere by the ridge

This hike from the Cinque Terre leads you out of the National Park, for a walking route a little longer and demanding that the previous ones in terms of time and distance.

From the splendid village of Riomaggiore, the idea is to rise above the sea to reach a ridge path leading up to Porto Venere, less famous but with similar decoration.

Some of them will appreciate the decline in attendance on this path, more oriented real rando than strolling. Arrange your walking schedule to take the boat of Porto Venere, and make the way back to Riomaggiore by the sea to close a beautiful exit at the day.

5. From Riomaggiore to Manorala by taking Via Beccara

One of the most popular hikes of the Cinque Terre is to connect Riomaggiore to Manorala by the Via dell’ Amore, spectacular and directly dug in the rock, but also very (too) frequented, short (30 minutes only), paid ( 7,50 € from April to October), and sometimes closed to the public...

An alternative is offered to you, however, by borrowing Via Beccara ( free this one), and more rewarding in terms of effort: attention to the denial, the path, to the more ancient route, climbs dry by place! An effort greatly rewarded by several exceptional views on the shoreline of the Cinque Terre and its steep terrains.

6. From Monterosso to Levanto and the promontory of Punta Mesco

There is no better way than to go in hiking mode in the Cinque Terre via this walking route from Levanto, a few kilometers north of the National Park, or on the contrary, to close its walking circuit in the region, leaving Monterosso...

This especially thanks to a must-see passage, the Punta Mesco promontory, from which opens an incredible view over the entire coast of the Cinque Terre, far to Porto Venere: entry into matter or goodbye, a march that works in both directions.

We will also enjoy the beautiful beach of Levanto, on arrival, for a well-deserved swim after this beautiful hike.

7. From Monterosso to Porto Venere, the great crossing of the Cinque Terre

We have seen it, it is easy to cut off the hikes of the Cinque Terre in short and accessible sections, which makes it possible to relativize the difficulty due to the denials, and the number of steps to climb between each village!

Here, it is all the opposite we offer: a long and unforgettable hike that allows you to browse the whole region, a treat...

Be careful not to underestimate the general difficulty (see the curve of the denivels between Monterosso and Portovenere, and make the cumulation before you start!), because this route, by its length, requires a real effort even to experienced and physically fit walkers. Satisfaction with arrival, coupled with the beauty of landscapes from end to end, makes it an incomparable experience.

Of course, thanks to many steps in the villages, it is easy to set up this hike according to its rhythm and level: why not do it in two days, with one night on the way?

8. From Monterosso to Vernazza, a variant by the heights

If the Azzuro Trail is the most famous and most popular hike of the Cinque Terre, many trails, no less spectacular, allow you to make variations, to get away from the crowd of visitors, and to add a little disappointment to its walking route.

This ancient path linking Monterosso to Vernazza is the perfect illustration: you climb in a first time in the direction of Monterosso to reach the sanctuary of Nostra Signora de Soviore (XIIIth century) where you can relax for a moment before going through the heights to the descent for Vernazza.

We treat each other all along, with the Mediterranean Sea, and in clear weather, Corse drawing away... As a bonus, this path is free unlike the Monterosso-Vernazza section of the Azzuro Trail!