Best trails in Cinque Terre National Park
The Cinque Terre National Park takes its name from the five iconic colorful towns that are perched side by side on the coast of the Italian Riviera. There are popular trails connecting the towns, and hiking from town to town is one of the most popular tourist activities in the area. The most popular trail is the Blue Trail. It is easy to hike shorter sections of this trail, as there is a train that stops in all the towns with departures all day long.
The five official towns that make up the Cinque Terre, in order from West to East, are: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.
Top trails
Visitor info
To walk the Blue Trail from Monterosso al Mare to Riomaggiore in spring and summer (April to October), you must buy a Cinque Terre card, and visits are limited.
Trail reviews for Cinque Terre National Park
As far as the Cinque Terre trails go, this one is manageable. We walked it with our 63 year old mother in law (who is an avid walker but not hiker, she found it challenging but fine taking her time and being careful).
The most beautiful and fun hike, and I think my favourite since coming to cinque terre! Steeeeeeep ascent and then passed over a vineyard and historic telegraph poles as well as an abandoned sanctuary. Several flat kms through beautiful woodlands - then some clambering over rocks and a steep, climby descent down the side of a cliff and around the perimeter of a castle down to Porto Venere. Just incredible! Would say you need decent fitness to take on the ascent at the start, but you could take it slow and take breaks. Also you should have good hiking boots and feel confident dealing with a little bit of climbing over rock and dealing with a little loose ground on the descent. Portovenere is absolutely stunning - get there in time to explore, have a swim and then get the 1700 ferry back to Riomaggiore
You need to purchase a ticket for the trail. You can access other villages of the Cinque Terre as well. Moderate to Challenging. BRING WATER.
3 friends and I hiked this for about 2-3 hours in the down pouring rain. Talk about an amazing Spring Break trip. An unbelievably memorable experience for what I’d consider my first real hike. The views and scenery are unbelievable. And I think that anybody thinking about traveling around Italy would be remiss to not hike between at least a few of the towns of Cinque Terre.
Worthwhile walk if you want to escape the crowds and see a different side of Cinque Terre.
Beautiful trail from Vernazza to Corniglia. I started around 7:30 before the hot temps and crowds. It was a great to start the day in the Cinque Terre.
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Frequently asked questions
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Points of interest
- Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista
- Guvano Beach
- Guvano Beach
- Sant'Antonio del Mesco
- Chiesa di Santa Margherita di Antiochia
- Castello di Riomaggiore
- Castello Doria
- Spiaggia del Persico
- Torre Aurora
- Menhir
- Cinque terre Cornelia
- Spiaggia del Cantun
- Spiaggia del Paese
- Panoramic terrace of Santa Maria
- Punta Pineda
- Spiaggia del Persico
- Viewpoint on Riomaggiore and the sea
- San Francesco d'Assisi
- Scalo di Schiara
- Punta Castagna