Cinque Terre hiking trails - trekking in the Cinque Terre National Park

Hiking in Cinque Terre

The five villages of the Cinque Terre are connected by the famous Cinque Terre hiking trail "sentiero azzurro" along the coast that offers a unique experience of nature and beautiful panoramic views.

The picturesque five villages of the Cinque Terre (Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore) are popular hiking destinations which are located about 80 km east from Genoa on the Riviera di Levante.

In the past the fishing villages have been without road and train connections, so that the villages could be reached only by sea or the Cinque Terre hiking trails.

Today you can find a train station in every village (see Cinque Terre train). So you can divide the hiking tour from Monterosso to Riomaggiore in several stages.

Cinque Terre hiking trails – Cinque Terre trekking tours

There are two long Cinque Terre hiking trails that connect the five villages of the Cinque Terre: the Blue and the Red Path.

A) Hiking Cinque Terre blue footpath No. 2 „sentiero azzurro“

The "blue path" runs below along the steep coast which is the most popular trail that leads from village to village, thus from Monterosso to Riomaggiore.

This trail is particularly impressive and brings you to the picturesque villages of the Cinque Terre National Park.

The total length of the blue trail from Monterosso al Mare to Riomaggiore is about 11km respectively 5 hours.

The most popular Cinque Terre hiking trails are following:

• Monterosso to Vernazza (142 m altitude, duration 2 h, 3.5 km)
• Vernazza to Corniglia (207 m altitude, duration 1h 30min, 3.45 km)
• Corniglia to Manarola (CLOSED: 90 m altitude, duration 1 h, 2.9 km)
• Corniglia to Manarola via Volastra (Alternative: 517 m altitude, duration 2 h 30 min, 3.5 km)
• Manarola to Riomaggiore: Cinque Terre lovers walk (CLOSED: Via dell'Amore: 10 m altitude, 20 min, 1.5 km)

The trail is marked with "SVA" which means "sentiero Verde Azzurro" (blue path).

The blue trail is considered as the "classic" - especially in spring and fall many tourists come to the Cinque Terre to walk on this popular way.

You can start and end the hiking trail in any village. If you are tired you can take the Cinque Terre train to come back.

In the high season the blue path is not free of charges and you have to pay an admission for the footpath (see Cinque Terre Card).

Cinque Terre trails closed:

In October 2011 a storm has destroyed big parts of the Cinque Terre National park. Many trails were partially badly damaged and had to be closed.

Currently, the following trails are closed:

• Corniglia to Manarola (CLOSED) -> Alternative: Corniglia to Manarola via Volastra
• Manarola to Riomaggiore - Via dell'Amore (CLOSED)

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B) Hiking Cinque Terre red footpath No. 1 „sentiero rosso “

As an alternative there is the "red trail" on the hills in about 500 - 800 meters height from Levanto to Portovenere. From this mountain trail there are several connections to walk down to the 5 villages.

This Cinque Terre hiking trail passes at numerous sanctuary’s that are located above the 5 villages. In addition the path leads through vineyards, olive groves and forests.

The mountain trail offers beautiful panoramic views of the villages in the valleys and the unspoilt nature of the Ligurian coast.

Especially recommended are the following hiking trails that connect the outer villages of the Cinque Terre:

• Monterosso to Levanto (319 m altitude, duration 2h 30min)
• Riomaggiore to Portovenere - Cinque Terre walking tour  (513 m altitude, duration 5 h)

The total length of the red trail from Levanto to Portovenere is about 40km respectively 12 hours.

The trail is marked with "VA 5T" which means "Vai Alta 5 Terre".

The red trail above the sea is more hard and therefore less crowded.

In addition this hiking trail is free – there is no admission.

Hiking trails Cinque Terre to sanctuaries

In addition to the red and blue trail there are many footpaths that lead from the villages on the hills.

Every village of the Cinque Terre has its own sanctuary church on the hill ("close to God"), that can be reached via a strenuous steep trail.

Cinque Terre sanctuaries:

• Sanctuary Nostra Signora di Soviore - Monterosso
• Sanctuary Nostra Signora di Reggio - Vernazza
• Sanctuary Nostra Signora delle Grazie (San Bernardino) - Corniglia
• Sanctuary Nostra Signora della Salute (Volastra) - Manarola (see hiking trail Corniglia to Manarola):
• Sanctuary Nostra Signora di Montenero - Riomaggiore

The walking time from the village to the respective sanctuary is in each case about 1 to 1 hour 30 minutes.

Cinque Terre Card: Cinque Terre trekking + train

In the high season the Cinque Terre trekking path No. 2 is not free of charges.

If you buy a day pass of the so-called "Cinque Terre Card", then you can use all Cinque Terre hiking trails.

In addition the same card can be used as Cinque Terre train card. So you can also use the regional Cinque Terre train (2nd class) between Levanto and La Spezia.

Here you can find further information to the Cinque Terre Trains

Cinque Terre Hotels

In our opinion one of the most beautiful hotels in the Cinque Terre is the Porto Roca Monterosso which is located directly on the coast and offers a wonderful panoramic terrace overlooking the sea.

From the hotel you can reach Monterosso beach by a short walk.

In front of the Hotel Porto Roca Monterosso passes the blue hiking trail Monterosso Vernazza.

Thus, this hotel is the perfect starting point for a Cinque Terre hiking tour.

Moreover you can find here many other Cinque Terre Hotels selected by us, where the location, service and price will match:

Cinque Terre Hotels

Cinque Terre hiking

Here you can find the most beautiful Cinque Terre hiking trails:

• Monterosso to Vernazza
• Vernazza to Corniglia
• Corniglia to Manarola (via Volastra)
• Manarola to Riomaggiore - Cinque Terre lovers walk "Via dell Amore"