Available in :

Trekking in the Cinque Terre are a must for all hiking enthusiasts. In this post I describe the four stretches that join the five villages of the Cinque Terre, which are Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, listed in order from west to east.

The trails in the Cinque Terre are of varying difficulty. The treks I describe go in geographical order, starting from Monterosso and ending in Riomaggiore. There are therefore four routes…plus one! In fact, there are two ways to go from Riomaggiore to Manarola: use the splendid, newly reopened Via dell’Amore, or go through Beccara.

Trekking in the Cinque Terre: from Monterosso to Vernazza

The trail between Monterosso and Vernazza is classified by some as hiking, by others as expert hiking. Personally, I tend toward the second classification. In fact, although the section is short with little elevation gain (4.5 kilometers, 250 meters of elevation gain, TRACK available here), it includes some objective difficulties that should not be underestimated.

The route starts from Monterosso station and initially follows the waterfront. A short tunnel leads to the center of Monterosso, where you can admire the church of St. John the Baptist, graced by its bell tower. Just past the center of Monterosso a long flight of steps begins. At the end of the first flight of steps there is a Cinque Terre Park kiosk: you must show the Cinque Terre Card, which can be purchased here (more on that later).

After a second flight of steps, you can admire the special feature of the Cinque Terre: the terraces! In fact, over the centuries, men have ingeniously terraced the few available spaces between the mountains and the sea. The result is marvelous! In fact, it is possible to appreciate so many terraces full of olive trees and vineyards. There is, however, one factor not to be underestimated: some stretches of the Blue Trail between Monterosso and Vernazza are not recommended for those who suffer from vertigo. In fact, the trail is often narrow, unprotected, and two-way. On the way down to Vernazza, it is possible to admire a splendid panorama of this wonderful town!

Getting from Monterosso to Vernazza on average takes about two hours. There is often a queue along the trail, as it is the most famous stretch of the Cinque Terre.

Trekking in the Cinque Terre: from Vernazza to Corniglia

Vernazza offers, in my opinion, two of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Cinque Terre. The first is the one described in the section from Monterosso to Vernazza, the second is ten minutes away from the center of Vernazza, going towards Corniglia. Vernazza, in my opinion, is the most beautiful village in the Cinque Terre. Its particular location makes Vernazza particularly photogenic.

Just after the viewpoint the Cinque Terre Card is checked.

This section, 3.5 kilometers long with an elevation gain of 150 meters (TRACK) , is definitely easier than the section connecting Monterosso to Vernazza. The vertiginous sections, in fact, are very few and, in any case, the exposure is low. Halfway along the route it is possible to find a couple of bars where you can have a drink and munch on something. On the last stretch it is possible to admire Corniglia and Manarola: the scenery is sublime!

You arrive in Corniglia at the church of San Pietro. From here you can continue to Manarola or visit the center of Corniglia, which is five minutes away and offers characteristic views and a splendid vantage point over the Cinque Terre.

You can go from Vernazza to Corniglia and vice versa. You have to calculate about an hour and a half.

Trekking in the Cinque Terre: from Corniglia to Manarola

From Corniglia to Manarola there is a low trail, currently closed, and a high trail, which passes through the village of Volastra. This high trail is undoubtedly suitable for experienced hikers, but it is truly a spectacle! From Corniglia to Manarola, in fact, there is no shortage of steep climbs (often steps) and, most importantly, there are several sections that are not recommended for those who suffer from vertigo.

The high trail, which is not part of the Blue Trail network (the low trail is part of it: you don’t need a 5 Terre Card for the high trail) is a true wonder. Initially, it is possible to admire Corniglia, with its special position at the top of the promontory. Next, it is possible to appreciate the Cinque Terre terraces described earlier. In this section it is possible to admire the most beautiful terraces of the Cinque Terre.

Some sections of the trail are very narrow and vertiginous; therefore, it is essential to have an easy walk in exposed parts.

The descent to Manarola features a steep flight of steps, passing through more wonderful terraces and offering views that are, once again, incredible.

If you like walking and do not have problems with vertigo, then, the high path from Corniglia to Manarola is what you are looking for! On average, it takes two and a quarter hours to go from Corniglia to Manarola. It is possible to walk this stretch in both directions. This stretch is 5 kilometers long, with an elevation gain of 300 meters (TRACK).

Trekking in the Cinque Terre: from Manarola to Riomaggiore

The last section of the Cinque Terre trek connects Manarola to Riomaggiore. Here I describe the high variant, which is the only one that connects Manarola to Riomaggiore. In fact, the Via dell’Amore connects Riomaggiore to Manarola and not vice versa.

This high variant (called the Beccara route), which is not part of the Blue Trail and does not require a 5 Terre Card, is for experienced hikers. The trail is short, but it is very steep. The description of this trail is very simple. It climbs steeply from Manarola to the viewpoint and descends, slightly less steeply, to Riomaggiore.

I found the Manarola side more difficult, which I recommend doing uphill. The panoramic views repay all the effort put in!

From Manarola to Riomaggiore, and vice versa, it takes about 50 minutes, going via Beccara. Until 1920 to go from Manarola to Riomaggiore one had to compulsorily use the via Beccara. The Via dell’Amore, which I now recount, certainly facilitated the connections.

The section from Manarola to Riomaggiore is about two kilometers long, with an elevation gain of 150 meters (TRACK).

Trekking in the Cinque Terre: the Way of Love

Here we are at the grand finale of the Cinque Terre trekking routes: the Via dell’Amore! As mentioned in the previous paragraph, it is possible to walk the Via dell’Amore only in the Riomaggiore – Manarola section, not vice versa. Leaving the Riomaggiore station, take the stairs on the left, uphill, and after a hundred meters the Via dell’Amore trail begins.

To walk the Via dell’Amore you need a Cinque Terre Card and, in addition, you need to book the entrance on this site. The cost of the Via dell’Amore is given by the price of the Cinque Terre Card plus an additional ten euros. You can also get your ticket at the information point in the Riomaggiore train station, but expect queues.

The Love Road was closed from 2012 to July 2024. I walked this stretch in September 2024 and it is beautiful. I must say that the ten euros is well spent as the maintenance work done to reopen the Via dell’Amore was significant. The viewpoints are spectacular and, in addition, there are some photos that tell the story of the Via dell’Amore. This section is one kilometer long and is totally flat. It takes about half an hour to complete the Via dell’Amore, which ends 200 meters before the Manarola train station. Definitely the Via dell’Amore is suitable for those who want to have a very easy walk and want to get to know the Cinque Terre in the easiest way possible!

Here is a video explaining the beauty of the way of Love!

How to visit the Cinque Terre

Before the various information about Cinque Terre, I will describe how to visit Cinque Terre best, at least in my opinion. I recommend sleeping in La Spezia and using regional trains. From La Spezia it is possible to reach Vernazza in about twenty minutes. From the station I recommend walking about ten minutes in the direction of Monterosso to see a splendid viewpoint over Vernazza. After taking well-deserved photos, I recommend returning to Vernazza and walking to Corniglia-this stretch is very beautiful and easier, in my opinion, than the one that goes all the way to Monterosso.

Once in Corniglia I recommend visiting the beautiful view from the town center and then taking the shuttle bus to Corniglia station. From the station, if you feel like continuing walking you could get off at Riomaggiore and walk the Via dell’Amore. If you are tired, however, you could go and relax on the beach in Monterosso.

This is a suggestion to spend a day in Cinque Terre, stopping two nights to sleep in La Spezia. This way you can walk (about two hours) and admire much of the beauty of the Cinque Terre. If you feel like walking a lot, however, I recommend stopping three nights in La Spezia-that way you can fully get to know the Cinque Terre!

BEFORE USEFUL INFORMATION, IN ADDITION TO TREKKING IN THE FIVE LANDS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

Tour of Mont Blanc!

Alta Via Number One of the Dolomites!

Wayfarer’s Path!

Path of the Gods!

USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT TREKKING IN THE FIVE LANDS

Treks in the Cinque Terre are open year-round. Bad weather, however, may make the trails impassable. I recommend checking the accessibility of the Cinque Terre on this site.

The Cinque Terre Card is essential for walking from Monterosso to Corniglia (and vice versa) and for walking the Via dell’Amore from Riomaggiore to Manarola.

The cost of the Cinque Terre Card varies depending on the day of the week and depending on the month: the price ranges from 18 to 32 euros. You can buy the Cinque Terre Card online or at Cinque Terre information points, including La Spezia.

With the Cinque Terre Card, it is possible to take all trains from La Spezia to Monterosso, and vice versa, for 24 hours. Often the trains are definitely crowded: you may have to take the next train.

How to get to the Cinque Terre? The most convenient way is to get there by train from La Spezia. This Ligurian city is connected by direct trains to Milan Central and Florence, also passing through Pisa.

Corniglia deserves a closer look, as it is in a higher location than the other four towns. To reach the center of Corniglia from the train station, therefore, there is a bus-shuttle, which takes five minutes and runs every fifteen minutes. This shuttle may, however, often be full, with long queues. In this case I recommend walking from the station to the center of Corniglia: the route is uphill, and is about twenty minutes long.

Buying the Cinque Terre Card gives you a map of the Cinque Terre and a couple of brochures. One of these explains the operation and prices of the boats that connect the Cinque Terre. In fact, it is possible to go from one village in the Cinque Terre to another by boat (excluding Corniglia): the cost ranges from 10 to 25 euros.

Which trekking in the Cinque Terre to do? My answer is easy: all of them! Going deeper into the answer, the easiest section is definitely the Via dell’Amore, the path that allows you to appreciate the beauty of the Cinque Terre without making “too much” effort is the one from Vernazza to Corniglia, while the most beautiful is the one from Corniglia to Manarola.

Restaurants in the Cinque Terre are often expensive and crowded. Personally, I always chose to take a focaccia and some sliced meats with me. You can find water along the way: besides the five villages, you can find water in a couple of bars between Vernazza and Corniglia and in Volastra.

La Spezia is an excellent base for hiking in the Cinque Terre. For sleeping in La Spezia I recommend Hotel Genova and CDH Hotel (Booking). For eating in La Spezia I highly recommend Luigi in Piazza and Da Sandro. There are a couple of excellent breweries in La Spezia: Paolino’s, Murphy’s Irish Pub and Birreria 88.

I have walked all the sections described. The first time I went from Monterosso to Corniglia (TRACK), the second time from Vernazza to Riomaggiore (TRACK), the third the Via dell’Amore.

The absolute most beautiful viewpoints in the Cinque Terre are the two near Vernazza. Here is a VIDEO!

Can you do a whole Cinque Terre trek in one day, visiting all five towns? Yes, it’s a bit of a trek but it’s doable! Here is the ENTIRE TRACK., from Monterosso to Riomaggiore: 14 kilometers and 700 meters of elevation gain.