June 26, 2025, 12:20 pm | Read time: 11 minutes
In northern Italy lies a region that is undoubtedly one of the country’s most beautiful: the Cinque Terre. The five towns that give the area its name are perfect not only for strolling, taking photos, and swimming but also for hiking. TRAVELBOOK writer Julia Mähl visited the area and explains the best starting points and worthwhile routes for hiking.
At first glance, the towns in the Cinque Terre often look like paintings: The colorful houses are tightly packed against the rocky coast, with the bright blue sea right in front. The picture-perfect region between Genoa and La Spezia includes five towns: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. These centuries-old fishing villages in Liguria have long been a popular destination for tourists from around the world. While many arrive by car or train, there’s another way to explore the northern Italian region: on foot.
Overview
The Best Time to Hike in the Cinque Terre
One thing is clear: Many are drawn to Italy primarily in the summer months. However, this is also noticeable in the towns and on the hiking trails. Traveling to the Cinque Terre in July or August is rarely a good idea. After all, you want to enjoy the trip and not have to push through the narrow streets with the crowds or stand in “traffic” on the narrow paths.
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It’s good news, however, that you can visit the Cinque Terre almost all year round. March to May and September to November are perfect months to go hiking in the region. During these times, it’s neither too hot nor too crowded, and if you travel to the Cinque Terre in May, September, or October, there’s a good chance you can still take a quick dip in the sea to cool off.
The Five Towns: From Monterosso to Riomaggiore
Monterosso al Mare, for example, is the largest of the five towns and the only one with a real beach. While you can swim in Manarola, for instance, you’ll be on the rocks, as there’s no sandy beach. However, this makes the town very attractive for snorkeling, as there’s a lot to see. Vernazza is considered the most beautiful town in the Cinque Terre, with a small harbor and the Castello Doria, from which you have a great view of the bay. Corniglia is the only town not directly on the water–it’s located a bit higher, about 100 meters above the sea. But even without a bathing spot and harbor, the village has a lot to offer, including a unique view, narrow streets, and surrounding vineyards.
Each of the five towns has its own unique charm. Depending on the hiking route you choose, you can decide to visit all of them or just a few, based on your preferences and fitness level. What is certain is that each town offers a slightly different atmosphere for visitors.
Monterosso al Mare, for example, is the largest of the five towns and the only one with a real beach. While you can swim in Manarola, for instance, you’ll be on the rocks, as there’s no beach. However, this makes it very attractive for those interested in snorkeling, as the underwater sights are plentiful. Vernazza is considered the most beautiful town in the Cinque Terre, featuring a small harbor and the Castello Doria, which offers a stunning view of the bay. Corniglia is the only town not directly on the water–it’s located a bit higher, about 100 meters above sea level. Despite lacking a beach, it offers a grand view, narrow streets, and a unique atmosphere.
Monterosso al Mare is the largest of the five villages and the only one with a real beach. Vernazza is considered the most beautiful village in the Cinque Terre, with a small harbor and the Castello Doria, which offers a great view of the bay. Corniglia is the only village not directly on the water–it’s located a bit higher, about 100 meters above sea level. Despite lacking a beach, it offers a grand view, narrow streets, and a unique atmosphere.
Monterosso al Mare is the largest of the five villages and the only one with a real beach. Vernazza is considered the most beautiful village in the Cinque Terre, with a small harbor and the Castello Doria, which offers a stunning view of the bay. Corniglia is the only village not directly on the water–it’s located a bit higher, about 100 meters above sea level. Despite lacking a beach, it offers a grand view, narrow streets, and a unique atmosphere.
Monterosso al Mare is the largest of the five villages and the only one with a real beach. While you can swim in Manarola, for example, it is the largest of the five villages and the only one with a real beach. While you can swim in Manarola, for instance, you’ll be on the rocks, as there’s no beach. However, this does make it very attractive for those interested in snorkeling, as the underwater sights are plentiful. Vernazza is considered the most beautiful village in the Cinque Terre, with a small harbor and the Castello Doria, which offers a stunning view of the bay. Corniglia is the only village not directly on the water–it’s located a bit higher, about 100 meters above sea level. Despite lacking a beach, it offers a grand view, narrow streets, and a unique atmosphere.
Monterosso al Mare is the largest of the five villages and the only one with a real beach. While you can’t swim in Manarola, for instance, you’ll be on the rocks, as there’s no beach. However, this does make it very attractive for those interested in snorkeling, as the underwater sights are plentiful. Vernazza is considered the most beautiful village in the Cinque Terre, with a small harbor and the Castello Doria, which offers a stunning view of the bay. Corniglia is the only village not directly on the water–it’s located a bit higher, about 100 meters above sea level. Despite lacking a beach, it offers a grand view, narrow streets, and a unique atmosphere.
Overview of the Hiking Trails
Classic for Amateur Hikers: The Blue Trail (Sentiere Azzurro)
The Blue Trail, or Sentiere Azzurro, runs from Monterosso to Riomaggiore (or vice versa) and connects all five villages. Although it’s only about 12 kilometers long, it’s divided into four stages, which you can hike all at once or individually:
- Stage 1: Monterosso to Vernazza, 4.2 kilometers
- Stage 2: Vernazza to Corniglia, 3.5 kilometers
- Stage 3: Corniglia to Manarola, 2.5 kilometers
- Stage 4: Manarola to Riomaggiore, 1.9 kilometers
Without breaks, you can complete the entire trail in about five hours, but there is a fee. To hike it, you need the Cinque Terre Card, which costs 7.50 euros per day per person, with a price of 4.50 euros per day for children. You can find all other rates and information here. The great thing about the Blue Path: Each of the five towns has a train station–meaning you can not only shorten the route but also return to the starting point by train.
For Pros: the High Path (Sentiero del Crinale)
The High Path, known in Italian as Alta Via delle Cinque Terre or Sentiero del Crinale, is considerably more challenging. It stretches 40 kilometers from the town of Porto Venere near La Spezia, cutting through the Cinque Terre to Levanto. The path is quite demanding due to its elevation changes–as the name suggests, it’s more challenging than the Blue Path. Without breaks and with good fitness, you can complete it in about 12 hours. However, it’s advisable to take breaks along the way to enjoy the views and perhaps take a detour to visit the villages of the Cinque Terre, so you should allow significantly more time. The Sentiero del Crinale can also be divided into different stages, with at least one overnight stay recommended.
In general, good footwear is a must for all hiking trails in the Cinque Terre! Hiking in flip-flops or sandals not only risks injury but can also result in a fine of up to 2,500 euros.
Other Tours Through the Cinque Terre
There are plenty of hiking trails in the northern Italian region. In total, there are 120 kilometers connecting the towns between Levanto and Porto Venere–some, like the Blue Path, run directly along the water, while others are more inland. This includes the Via dei Santuari, a 22-kilometer path that winds along the five pilgrimage churches. It takes about seven hours to walk, or more like nine with breaks. Alternatively, you can opt for a shorter tour and hike from Levanto to Monterosso al Mare. Its special feature: It leads through medieval villages and olive groves on its eight kilometers, away from the sea. At least, that’s what you might think, because by the end of the tour, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning panoramic view of the sea and Monterosso al Mare.
Overview of the Hiking Trails
Classic for Amateur Hikers: The Blue Path (Sentiere Azzurro)
When it comes to hiking trails in the Cinque Terre, the classic one to mention first is the Blue Path, known in Italian as Sentiere Azzurro. It runs from Monterosso to Riomaggiore (or vice versa) and connects all five villages. Although it is only about 12 kilometers long, it is divided into four stages, which you can hike all at once or individually:
- Stage 1: Monterosso to Vernazza, 4.2 kilometers
- Stage 2: Vernazza to Corniglia, 3.5 kilometers
- Stage 3: Corniglia to Manarola, 2.5 kilometers
- Stage 4: Manarola to Riomaggiore, 1.9 kilometers
Without a break, you can complete this trail in about five hours, and it requires a fee. To hike it, you need the Cinque Terre Card, which costs seven euros and fifty cents per day per person, with a price of four euros and fifty cents for children for one day. You can find all other rates and information here. The great thing about the Blue Path: Each of the five towns has a train station–meaning you can not only shorten the route but also return to the starting point by train.
For Pros: the High Path (Sentiero del Crinale)
The High Path, known in Italian as Alta Via delle Cinque Terre or Sentiero del Crinale, is considerably more challenging. It stretches 40 kilometers from the town of Porto Venere near La Spezia, cutting through the Cinque Terre to Levanto. The path is quite demanding due to its elevation changes–as the name suggests, it’s more challenging than the Blue Path. Without breaks and with good fitness, it can be completed in about 12 hours. However, it’s worth taking breaks to enjoy the views and perhaps take a detour to visit the villages of the Cinque Terre, so you should allow significantly more time. The Sentiero del Crinale can be divided into different stages, and it’s advisable to plan at least one overnight stay along the way.
In general, good footwear is a must for all hiking trails in the Cinque Terre! Hiking in flip-flops or sandals not only risks injury but can also result in a fine of up to 2,500 euros.
Other Tours Through the Cinque Terre
There are plenty of hiking trails in the northern Italian region. In total, there are 120 kilometers connecting the towns between Levanto and Porto Venere–some, like the Blue Path, run directly along the water, while others are more inland. This includes the Via dei Santuari, a 22-kilometer path that winds along the five pilgrimage churches. To hike it, you need about seven hours, or more like nine with breaks. Alternatively, you can opt for a shorter tour and hike from Levanto to Monterosso al Mare. Its special feature: It leads through medieval villages and olive groves on its eight kilometers, away from the sea. At least, that’s what you might think, because by the end of the tour, you’re rewarded with a stunning panoramic view of the sea and Monterosso al Mare.
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Location on the Map
