Cinque Terre on foot

7 or 8 day walking tour
Walking tour
Walking Tour
Difficulty level 2,5
Individual tour
Self guided tour
code: ITLIG02W
Italy
Liguria

Prices

from 540€

Coastal walking on the Ligurian Riviera

Sestri Levante-Bonassola-Monterosso–Vernazza-Corniglia-Riomaggiore-Manarola-Portovenere-Camogli

In the CINQUE TERRE, the sea and the earth meet to become one. This unique area, a Unesco world heritage site, is characterised by a rocky coastline full of tiny bays with beaches, the deep blue Ligurian Sea and small villages with the ever-present backdrop of beautiful mountains and hills. The typical landscape is that of terraced slopes with olive groves and vineyards separated by small dry-stone walls, varied flora and fauna, ancient mule tracks and of course breath-taking views. The towns are characteristic with their lively coloured houses stacked on top of one another. The Cinque Terre are made to discover on foot, a paradise for the outdoor lover. There are 120 km of beautiful hiking trails crossing this wonderful area.

Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre

During this walking tour, you will pass all five villages of the Cinque Terre dotted along the coast: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. These five picturesque villages (‘borghi’), difficult to reach by car, are connected by a railroad-track and by one of the most beautiful coastal footpaths of Europe. Walking along this footpath you will continuously have spectacular views on the sea and the terraced hills where vineyards, olive and lemon groves as well as a variety of wild flowers and sweet-smelling bushes. Between the walks take you time for a leisurely lunch and to find a cosy terrace watching over the sea and enjoy delicious fresh seafood or a pasta with an aromatic basil pesto.

During this tour, from Levanto, you walk along the coastline to the headland of Punto Mesco. You will visit not only the villages of the Cinque Terre, but also stunning places as Portovenere.

The tour has two versions: a central hotel based that is using the frequent public transport to arrive to the start of your walk and return back to the hotel and a more trekking tour from town to town.

The daily program of the centre based 7-day tour

Individuale arrival at cosy resort Sestri Levante. The oldest – and prettiest – part of the town is on the ‘neck’ of a peninsula with a small hill at the end There are two bays to either side called Silent Bay (Baia del Silenzio) and the Bay of Fairy Tales (Baia delle Favole) on the other side. The name Bay of Fairy Tales remembers us of Hand Christiaan Andersen, who lived and worked for a period in Sestri Levante.

Overnight with breakfast and dinner

The first walk takes you along the coast to Monterosso al Mare. The walk initially leads up towards the most remarkable promontory, Punta Mesco, a place that invites you for a relaxing picnic lunch. It is possible to make a short detour to visit the ruins of an old 11th-century hermitage of S.Antonio Mesco, where you will enjoy marvellous views of the rugged coastline. Along a steep path surrounded by the typical Mediterranean scrub, dotted with cork trees, you come to Monterosso, which has a sheltered position between the surrounding hills covered with vineyards and olive groves. In this village, you can enjoy the beautiful beaches, crystal-clear seawater and steep, rugged cliffs. You can relax sipping a cool glass of the excellent local white wine! The old part of Monterosso is well-preserved and shows the same typical building style as the other Cinque Terre villages. Dominating Monterosso are the remains of the Castle. The church of San Francesco houses several important works of art, such as the Crucifixion attributed to Van Dyck. There is then time to explore the town before taking the local train back to Sestri Levante.

 

Overnight with breakfast in Sestri Levante

Distance: 10,5 km / 6,5 miles

Ascent & Descent: approx. + 370m -370m

Walking time: 3,5h – 4h

Difficulty: easy to medium

This morning you go by train to Monterosso, which has a sheltered position between the surrounding hills covered with vineyards and olive groves. It is the biggest village of the Cinque Terre. In this village you can enjoy the beautiful beaches, crystal-clear seawater and steep, rugged cliffs. You can relax after the day’s walk sipping a cool glass of the excellent local white wine! The old part of Monterosso has been well preserved and shows, of course, the same typical building style as the other Cinque Terre villages. Dominating Monterosso are the remains of the Castle. The church of San Francesco houses several important works of art, such as the Crucifixion attributed to Van Dyck. Your walk takes you through olive groves to Vernazza, the only village of the Cinque Terre with a natural harbour. Steep, narrow alleys will take you to the main street, which ends on a small square in front of the harbour. After visiting Vernazza you continue your walk to Corniglia, quiet village (or ‘borgo’) located about a hundred metres above sea level, resting on top of a steep promontory and close to a hill with many vineyards. From here it is possible to admire all the other four towns of the Cinque Terre. To reach the town centre, you either climb the ‘Lardarina’, a long stairway consisting of 377 steps, or follow the street from the train station.  The parish church dedicated to San Pietro, built in 1334 on the site of an 11th century chapel, is a beautiful example of the peculiar Ligurian Gothic style. Back by train to Sestri Levante.

 

Overnight with breakfast and dinner in Sestri Levante

Distance 8,5 km / 5,3 mi

Ascent / Descent + 480 – 480m

Walking time 3 hrs

Difficulty: medium to experienced

After breakfast you take the train to Corniglia, settled safely on a ridge overlooking the sea and therefor the only town of the Cinque Terre not connected directly with the sea.

From Corniglia you head to Volastra, first climbing and then along a flat terrain with a nice panorama and among vineyards. Volastra is located above Manarola and in Roman times travellers used to change horses here. The residents of Volastra farmed the surrounding terraces, planted olive, lemon and chestnut trees, as well as vines, then in the 12th century part of the population moved down to the sea and founded the village of Manarola.

You descend to Manarola, the oldest village of the Cinque Terre. It has winding streets bringing you down to the square in front of the harbour. Enjoy a glass of the white wine Sciacchetrà, a local wine which is famous since Roman times. You can decide to stop the walk and dedicate some time to sea and sun or continue your walk to Riomaggiore, along a path with steps to reach this lovely town, which is built on terraces. Riomaggiore is the southernmost of the five Cinque Terre Villages. The tall houses, in the typical cheerful colours used in Liguria, are narrow and three to four storeys high. They have an entrance on the ground floor and also a rear entrance on a higher floor due to the steepness of the terrain. In the upper part of the town you can admire the parish church of San Giovanni Battista, built in 1340 by the bishop of Luni, the 16th century oratory ‘dei Disciplinati’ and the ruins of the 15th – 16th century castle. After a refreshing swim back to Sestri levante by train

 

Overnight stay with breakfast Sestri Levante

Distance 8 km /5 mi

Ascent / Descent + 550m – 550m

Walking time 3 hrs

Difficulty: medium to experienced

A short ride by train to Riomaggiore and from here start your walk to Campiglia and Portovenere. You walk now along a stretch of one of the most beautiful trails of the Cinque Terre, the Via Grande. A long flight of steps brings you to the Santuario della Madonna di Montenero. The steps can be avoided by taking the bus. It is a captivating walk along coastal cliffs, through vineyards, always enjoying the adorable panoramas of the countryside with a backdrop of the blue sea. You follow the ‘Sentiero Rosso’ that connects one end of the Cinque Terre to the other. I nice stop can be made in the hamlet of Campiglia. Crossing a pine forest and the trail leads you towards Portovenere. In 1997 Portovenere, the Cinque Terre and the islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Portovenere, the village that was once a source of inspiration for famous writers such as Shelley and Byron, is situated on the tip of a peninsula. Its name (Portus Veneris) derives from a temple dedicated to the goddess Venus. This temple is built on the spot where we now find the church of San Pietro, consecrated in 1198. Its characteristic façade with black and white stripes (in Ligurian gothic style) dates back to the 13th century.

 

 

Overnight with breakfast and dinner in Sestri Levante

Distance: 13 km / 8 miles

Ascent & Descent: approx. + 640m -640m

Walking time: 5h

Difficulty: medium

After breakfast take the train Camogli, and from here starts your walk of today through the Portofino National Park will start. You pass Paradiso, Pietre Strette and San Fruttuoso. You walk among Holm oaks, mixed wood and the typical Mediterranean brush. The village of San Fruttuoso is dominated by the abbey of the 8th century. After your visit you can decide to take the boat back to Camogli or walk to Portofino, a tiny sea village on the Italian Riviera circumscribed by the green of the Natural Regional Park and Marine Reserve. The “Piazzetta,” meeting-up point for the international jet-set, is the symbol of Portofino, while the port, with its characteristic, brightly-colored houses, is the icon of this borgo’s maritime traditions, whose inhabitants were called delfini (“dolphins”) by the Greeks and Romans, so apt were they at sea navigation.“ After visiting this village you continue to Santa Margherita Ligure with its small harbour where still today is sold fresh fish on the market. Then back by train to Sestri Levante.

 

Overnight with breakfast in Sestri Levante

Distance: 11 km / 6,8 miles or 7 km/ 4,3 mi

Ascent & Descent: approx. + 690m -690m

Walking time: 5h

Difficulty: medium

After breakfast ends of this walking tour.

 

The daily program of the 8-day trekking tour

Individuale arrival at Camogli, la “città dei mille Bianchi Velieri” (city of a thousand White Sailing Ships).

 

Overnight with breakfast

After breakfast starts your walk of today through the Portofino National Park will start. You pass Paradiso, Pietre Strette and San Fruttuoso. You walk among Holm oaks, mixed wood and the typical Mediterranean brush. The village of San Fruttuoso is dominated by the abbey of the 8th century. After your visit you can decide to take the boat back to Camogli or walk to Portofino, a tiny sea village on the Italian Riviera circumscribed by the green of the Natural Regional Park and Marine Reserve. The “Piazzetta,” meeting-up point for the international jet-set, is the symbol of Portofino, while the port, with its characteristic, brightly-colored houses, is the icon of this borgo’s maritime traditions, whose inhabitants were called delfini (“dolphins”) by the Greeks and Romans, so apt were they at sea navigation.“ After visiting this village you continue to Santa Margherita Ligure with its small harbour where still today is sold fresh fish. Then back by boat or public transport to Camogli.

 

Overnight with breakfast in Camogli

Distance: 11 km / 6,8 miles or 7 km/ 4,3 mi

Ascent & Descent: approx. + 690m -450m

Walking time: 5h

Difficulty: easy to medium

After breakfast you take the train with your luggage to Levanto. At the station someone will pick-up your luggage and bring to the hotel. You continue your panoramic walk through the seaside hills towards the small ‘village’ of Framura, an aggregation of scattered hamlets on the hillside. You can decide to enjoy the beach of Framura and walk or go back by train to Bonassola.

Overnight with breakfast in Levanto

Distance: 9 km/ 6,5 mi 

Ascent & Descent: approx. + 400 -330m 

Walking time: 3h or 2h

Difficulty: medium

After a good breakfast you reach the train station after 400 steps. Then by train you go to Corniglia, settled safely on a ridge overlooking the sea and therefor the only town of the Cinque Terre not connected directly with the sea.

From Corniglia you head to Volastra, first climbing and then along a flat terrain with a nice panorama and among vineyards. Volastra is located above Manarola and in Roman times travellers used to change horses here. The residents of Volastra farmed the surrounding terraces, planted olive, lemon and chestnut trees, as well as vines, then in the 12th century part of the population moved down to the sea and founded the village of Manarola.

You descend to Manarola, the oldest village of the Cinque Terre. It has winding streets bringing you down to the square in front of the harbour. Enjoy a glass of the white wine Sciacchetrà, a local wine which is famous since Roman times. You can decide to stop the walk and dedicate some time to sea and sun or continue your walk to Riomaggiore, along a path with steps to reach this lovely town, which is built on terraces. Riomaggiore is the southernmost of the five Cinque Terre Villages. The tall houses, in the typical cheerful colours used in Liguria, are narrow and three to four storeys high. They have an entrance on the ground floor and also a rear entrance on a higher floor due to the steepness of the terrain. In the upper part of the town you can admire the parish church of San Giovanni Battista, built in 1340 by the bishop of Luni, the 16th century oratory ‘dei Disciplinati’ and the ruins of the 15th – 16th century castle. After a refreshing swim back to Bonassola by train

 

Overnight stay with breakfast at Bonassola

Distance 8 km /5 mi or 6 km / 3,7 mi

Ascent / Descent + 540m – 380m (both walks)

Walking time 3,5 hrs or 2,5 hrs

Difficulty: medium to experienced

This walk takes you along the coast to Monterosso al Mare. The first stretch is along the old railway. The walk initially leads up towards the most remarkable promontory, Punta Mesco, a place that invites you for a relaxing picnic lunch. It is possible to make a short detour to visit the ruins of an old 11th-century hermitage of S.Antonio Mesco, where you will enjoy marvellous views of the rugged coastline. Along a steep path surrounded by the typical Mediterranean scrub, dotted with cork trees, you come to Monterosso, which has a sheltered position between the surrounding hills covered with vineyards and olive groves. In this village, you can enjoy the beautiful beaches, crystal-clear seawater and steep, rugged cliffs. You can relax sipping a cool glass of the excellent local white wine! The old part of Monterosso is well-preserved and shows the same typical building style as the other Cinque Terre villages. Dominating Monterosso are the remains of the Castle. The church of San Francesco houses several important works of art, such as the Crucifixion attributed to Van Dyck.

Overnight with breakfast in Monterosso

Distance: 8 km / 5,6 miles

Ascent & Descent: approx. + 370m -370m

Walking time: 3,5h – 4h

Difficulty: easy to medium

Your walk takes you through olive groves to Vernazza, the only village of the Cinque Terre with a natural harbour. Steep, narrow alleys will take you to the main street, which ends on a small square in front of the harbour. After visiting Vernazza you continue your walk to Corniglia, quiet village (or ‘borgo’) located about a hundred metres above sea level, resting on top of a steep promontory and close to a hill with many vineyards. From here it is possible to admire all the other four towns of the Cinque Terre. To reach the town centre, you either climb the ‘Lardarina’, a long stairway consisting of 377 steps, or follow the street from the train station.  The parish church dedicated to San Pietro, built in 1334 on the site of an 11th century chapel, is a beautiful example of the peculiar Ligurian Gothic style. Back by train to Monterosso.

 

Overnight with breakfast in Monterosso

Distance 8 km / 5 mi or 4 km /2,5 mi

Ascent / Descent + 380 – 200m

Walking time 3,5 hrs or 2 hrs

Difficulty: medium

A short ride by train to Riomaggiore and from here start your walk to Campiglia and Portovenere. You walk now along a stretch of one of the most beautiful trails of the Cinque Terre, the Via Grande. A long flight of steps brings you to the Santuario della Madonna di Montenero. The steps can be avoided by taking the bus. It is a captivating walk along coastal cliffs, through vineyards, always enjoying the adorable panoramas of the countryside with a backdrop of the blue sea. You follow the ‘Sentiero Rosso’ that connects one end of the Cinque Terre to the other. I nice stop can be made in the hamlet of Campiglia. Crossing a pine forest and the trail leads you towards Portovenere. In 1997 Portovenere, the Cinque Terre and the islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Portovenere, the village that was once a source of inspiration for famous writers such as Shelley and Byron, is situated on the tip of a peninsula. Its name (Portus Veneris) derives from a temple dedicated to the goddess Venus. This temple is built on the spot where we now find the church of San Pietro, consecrated in 1198. Its characteristic façade with black and white stripes (in Ligurian gothic style) dates back to the 13th century. You return by boat to Monterosso or by public transport passing La Spezia

 

Overnight with breakfast in Monterosso

Distance: 13 km / 8 miles

Ascent & Descent: approx. + 640m -640m

Walking time: 5h

Difficulty: medium

Impressions

Cinque Terre on foot
Self guided tour
Difficulty level 2,5
7 or 8 day walking tour

Sestri Levante-Bonassola-Monterosso–Vernazza-Corniglia-Riomaggiore-Manarola-Portovenere-Camogli

Code | ITLIG02W
LEVEL 2,5

Moderate to strenuous difficulty with some steep climbs along mostly good, accessible walking paths. Sometimes walking along paths with rough surface. The terrain varies from ancient mule tracks to stone steps cut out of the hillside. Differences in altitude between sea level and 700 metres. Daily walking time is between 3 and 6 hours. Walking experience and good physical condition are necessary. You should be able to walk also 5-6 hrs a day in the sun on dusty and stony tracks. On some days, extensions or short cuts are possible.

Daily distances:

Between 4 and 13 km / 2,5 and 8,1 miles

Total km / mi:

Approx. Central based 51 km / 32 mi – Trekking version min. 47 km / 29 mi and max. 61 km/38 mi

 

DEPARTURES:

Central based tour daily from 15 March till end of 15 November / hotel trekking tour daily from 15 March till 15 October

 

PARTICIPANTS:

1 or more people 

 

START / FINISH:

Sestri Levante o Camogli/ Sestri Levante o Monterosso

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