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3
moderate

Traveller Rating

 

Activities
  • self guided walk
Accommodation
  • 5 nights in a modern and charming hotel
Meals
  • 5 Breakfasts

6 Days£850GBP

Overview

Trip Code: JTC

Cinque Terre Walking Trip highlights


  • Coastal walking on the Italian Riviera
  • Centre-based Italian walking holiday on the glorious Ligurian Coast
  • Choose walks of different lengths & grades or just saunter around the beaches & clifftops
  • Interesting crisp white local wines compliment traditional seafood cuisine and 'gelati'
  • Some of the finest Cinque Terre hikes with GPS & maps
  • Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola & Riomaggiore

The walking takes you to the Ligurian coastline to enjoy some more sublime pleasures for walkers who enjoy being based at a single centre. The Tyrrhenian coast of Liguria has been celebrated for centuries in the arts and this holiday will take you through the ‘five lands’ using a mixture of coastal and inland footpaths. You will be staying in a traditional style ‘albergo’ in the small resort of Monterosso close to the sea, where regional dishes are very much the speciality. The idea is that on most days you either walk from the hotel or take the train from Monterosso to start the next walk. If you don't feel like walking, or if you want to reduce the length of the existing walk, you can always spend time on the beaches or more time discovering the beautiful villages of the Cinque Terre more intimately. Each of the Cinque Terre towns and villages has its own unique character and flavour: Monterosso itself is a small beach resort with an older town behind. The evening light on the sea is quite sublime and there are a whole host of restaurants and ice cream shops. Vernazza is an old port with a turreted fort protecting an inner marina. There are many bars and old buildings that spread out behind the village to where the vineyards rise in steep terraces that are intensively mechanised with little monorails and overhead cables to carry the grapes. Corniglia is built high above the sea on the cliffs of twisted strata jutting out into the water and is famous for its narrow streets and its churches. Manarola sits at the end of the Via dell'Amore: "The Path of Love".There is also the church of Nativita della Vergine with its well-known rosette window. Finally there is Riomaggiore, perhaps the most interesting town of the five, with its medieval tower blocks crammed together overlooking an inlet of intense aquamarine colour, occupied by little fishing and day trip boats. The buildings are all painted in bright pastel shades, complementing the natural Mediterranean light. The sea floor off the Cinque Terre is now a marine National Park.

Countries:

Italy

Starting Point:

Monterosso

Finishing Point:

Monterosso


Make your own way to Monterosso aiming to arrive by early evening. The walk from the station to the hotel takes about 10 minutes along the coastal road, 15 mins with baggage. After checking in, you may have time to take a quick swim, or just walk along the maze of streets. The historical centre of the village is characterized by carrugi (narrow lanes) with little shops selling local handicrafts. It is only a short walk to the Capuchin Monastery where you can enjoy the silence as you look out over the sea. Accommodation: All nights for this trip are spent in a very pleasant and comfortable hotel located in the old historical centre of Monterosso, a short distance from the sea. The hotel is a family-run establishment with double/twin rooms having ensuite facilities. The hotel has a shaded garden, and a rooftop terrace which overlooks the sea and the town. Ask staff regarding upgraded rooms with balconies.

Meals:  Nil

Take a half day hilly walk to Levanto along the beautiful coastal path and up to the romantic ruins of an abandoned Franciscan church on a peninsular. From near here you will get a great panoramic view across the Cinque Terre coast. You then drop down to the popular resort town of Levanto, once a Lombard capital, past the old castle. You could then have a gelati and a swim before taking the train back to Monterrosso - there are usually a couple per hour. The route passes by some lovely viewpoints, giving the opportunity to pause on olive terraces overlooking the sea. If it is very hot, there is shade around with oak and pine forests clinging to the coastal hillsides. If you still have energy, just walk back the way you came, and get a different perspective in the afternoon light.

Meals:  B

This starts the same way as the Levanto walk, but from near the Franciscan ruins, we take off on a wilder path across the line of forest smothered hills behind Monterosso. A very nice shady walk in places with heathers, pines, oaks and brooms as well as aromatic maquis shrubs. There are often marvellous views across the sea. On a clear day you may possibly see Corsica and the Alp Maritime of Southern France across the Mediterranean Sea. The walk reaches an old convent, before plunging down on a pilgrimage trail back to Monterosso.

Meals:  B

This walk is the classic walk along the Cinque Terre. Due to rockfall the trail is partially closed at present and the current route is about 7.5 km, but the full trail may reopen. In its original form, one takes the train from Monterosso to Riomaggiore, the walk returns via the coastal path taking in vineyards, citrus groves and picturesque villages as it goes. Head along "The path of love" to Manarola and then continue to Corniglia, Vernazza, and back to Monterosso. The route gets harder as you go along, but if you are feeling the heat, or are tired, you could take a train back from any of the stations. In the current state of affairs, although you can walk to either end of the 'Via dell'Amore', that section is closed off and the walk commences from the railway station at Corniglia. It is still however a popular and beautiful day.

Meals:  B

This morning, start by taking the train to Riomaggiore. The walk starts by ascending the magnificent coastline steeply through extensive vineyard terraces and then undulates through mixed woodlands reaching the tiny village of Campiglia with views to islands out to sea. From here the trail gets more remote and rocky, with an excellent picnic lunch stop on a panoramic knoll. On the descent there are vistas of Portovenere and the church of San Pietro sitting on a rock in the Mediterranean. Although not a Cinque Terre village, Portovenere - the port of love - is a beautiful place and a couple of hours can easily be spent walking around the narrow streets. Return ideally by ferry. They run every couple of hours in reasonable weather. In bad conditions you need to take a bus to the train station at La Spezia, to return to Monterosso. Other walks are possible and can be done on extra days, or as alternatives. There is a beautiful 7 km /4.3 mile walk in the hills above Manorola and Corniglia, with some great coastal views, visiting the village of Volastra in the vineyards. Or you could try the tougher 12 km /7.4 mile walk which winds high above the bay from Vernazza into the littoral mountains to walk over Monte Malpertuso in ancient chestnut woodland. This walk has a steep descent back into Vernazza. All these walks are usually quiet compared to the 'Via dell'Amore.'

Meals:  B

Depart from the Cinque Terre after breakfast.

Meals:  B


Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.


Inclusions

  • 5 breakfasts
  • 5 nights in a charming hotel on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities
  • Information pack including route notes & maps
  • Emergency hotline
  • GPX Files

  • Lunches, Dinners & Beverages
  • Cinque Terre Card
  • Entrance fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Travel to the start and from the end point of the trip
  • Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
  • Unscheduled transfers required during the trip
  • City tax - locally payable to the accommodation
  • A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
  • Guide - this is a self guided holiday

Suitability

moderate

3

We grade this tour as ‘Easy – Moderate’, because there are easy options and also some reasonably strenuous day walks. A high standard of fitness is not necessary but in order to make the most of the walking opportunities in this area clients should be able to walk for up to 7 hours a day in hot sun on tracks and paths that can be quite steep and undulating. Some routes have steep steps or loose gravel in places. Being sensibly dressed for the sun and the heat and drinking enough water are both very important!


Departure dates

Daily from 1 Mar to 25 Oct

Notes

M
Mid Season
H
High Season
Note:
Mid season is from 1 May to 30 Jun. High season is from 1 Jul to 30 Sept. A supplement applies for mid and high season departures.
NB:
Terrace room with village view upgrade available, please see below for details.
NB:
Please note that minor changes to your 2024 itinerary may apply.

Priceper person from

£850GBP

Options & Supplements*
  • Upgrade to Room with City ViewGBP£40
  • Upgrade to Single Room with City ViewGBP£80
  • Single/Solo Traveller SupplementGBP£310
  • Mid Season Single/Solo Traveller SupplementGBP£340
  • High Season Single/Solo Traveller SupplementGBP£370
*Prices listed are per person

Frequently Asked Questions

You will fly to Pisa and from there get the train to Monterosso. It goes via La Spezia and will take about 1hr 25mins to 2hrs 10mins.

Because there is a good train service between the villages of the Cinque Terre, because it is very difficult to get one-night bookings, and to allow you to unpack only once we have crafted this centre-based holiday with fabulous Cinque Terre hikes for you.

Sections of walks especially the Riomaggiore to Monterosso hike can be very busy. Off of this trail though you will find few walkers. You will find many people visiting the 5 towns however.

Yes, at the time of writing it was announced that the section between Riomaggiore & Manarola on the Path of Love in the Cinque Terre would be closed until July 2024. A landslide makes it impossible to currently walk the section of the 'Via dell'Amore' between Riomaggiore and Manarola. Our team however have prepared for you two alternative options, which are the challenging route along the 'Via Beccara' or bypassing this section by train.

Yes, due to the weather and landslips sections of the trails in the Cinque Terre area may be closed at short notice. We will provide you with details of a dedicated website where you will be able to find up to date route closures & openings.

Most of the trails around the Cinque Terre have some steps. The hike from Riomaggiore to Porto Venere has some at the start.

There is no entrance fee to the Cinque Terre National Park. There are 48 hiking trails but you will only need a special ticket, a Cinque Terre Card, for the two most famous trails: Monterosso - Vernazza and Vernazza - Corniglia. The ticket can be bought at the railway stations on the day that you do that walk. All other trails in the Cinque Terre are free of charge to hike.


Cinque Terre Walking Trip reviews


Why travel with us

Personal Experience

We've been walking and cycling the planet for over four decades and are passionate about delivering exceptional service. Combined, we’ve travelled to virtually every corner of Europe, and are eager to share the many benefits of travelling on foot or by bike.

Great Value & Quality

Our well priced trips offer great value for money. Included in your package are comprehensive route notes, maps & guide books along with bag transfers and locally run accommodation. We take the stress out of organising your holiday.

Self-Guided Specialists

We have been operating active self guided holidays since 1973. We handle all the necessary logistics so that you can relax and explore your destination at your own pace. Many of our tours depart daily, giving you even greater flexibility.