Cinque Terre hiking tour : from villages to trails
From vineyards to coastal paths and seaside villages
The sea, the hills, the vineyards, the old fishing villages, and the Genoese churches all open onto the enchanting landscapes of the Cinque Terre. In the Middle Ages, the word terra meant “village,” which is where the name Cinque Terre comes from. After Punta Mesco, arriving from Genoa, the first village you reach is Monterosso, with its wide beach. Then comes Vernazza, set at the mouth of a stream, Corniglia perched on a hill, and finally Manarola and Riomaggiore, clinging to the rock like colorful mosaics.
This landscape was shaped by human hands, with countless terraced vineyards plunging steeply down to the sea. Today, the Cinque Terre form a National Park and a protected Marine Area, recognized by UNESCO. The best way to truly savor them is on foot, along ancient trails and stairways worn smooth over the centuries.
Our Cinque Terre hiking tour includes a selection of hikes with gradually increasing difficulty, so you can plan your days according to your own pace and interests.
Highlights
- Cinque Terre hiking tour
- Excursion to Portofino, the "little Italian Saint Tropez"
- Discover all the villages of the Cinque Terre
7 days
/ 6 nights
Price: Consult us
Activity
Hike
Journey TypeTrip Single-center
Trip Type
Self-guided
Hiking Grade : Terrain Difficulty : Possible departures from 25 September to 25 September
Day by day program
Day 1 : Arrival in the Cinque Terre
Arrival in The Cinque Terre and check-in your
hotel.
You’ll have time to soak up the village’s peaceful atmosphere
with a short stroll around the area. Why not enjoy a true Italian
moment on the village square?
ACCOMMODATION : hotel ** or 3* depending on
selected option
Day 2 : Hike from Monterosso to Vernazza
You’ll begin your first steps on one of the most beautiful trails in Cinque Terre National Park.
In the morning, a short train transfer takes you to Monterosso, the
most visited of the Cinque Terre villages, known for its
monasteries - Our Lady of Soviore and the Madonna of Reggio - and
its wide beaches. From here, you set off towards Vernazza along a
trail that winds through vineyards and Mediterranean woodland, with
breathtaking sea views at every turn.
The arrival above Vernazza is an unforgettable highlight: a colorful jewel with its picturesque harbor, its church, and its rich history.
Return by train to your hotel.
HIKING TIME : 2h for the easier option - 4h for the more challenging route, depending on your choice
ASCENT : 220 m - 600 m depending on selected option
DESCENT : 220 m - 600 m depending on selected option
ACCOMMODATION : hotel ** or 3* depending on selected option
TRANSFER TIME : train = 15' from Levanto, 50' from Moneglia
Day 3 : Hike from Manarola to Corniglia
You head towards Corniglia, winding through vineyards that overlook the sea. The trail climbs higher and ventures into the hinterland, leading you to Volastra, a charming, authentic village surrounded by its vineyard. Here, with the sea as your backdrop, you can enjoy a relaxing picnic stop.
You then continue to Corniglia, which, unlike the other villages, is perched away from the coast. Explore the Church of St. Peter and the Oratory of the Flagellants of Saint Catherine before returning to your hotel by train.
HIKING TIME : 4h
ASCENT : 550 m
DESCENT : 550 m
ACCOMMODATION : hotel ** or 3* depending on selected option
TRANSFER TIME : train = 15' from Levanto, 50' from Moneglia
Day 4 : Hike from Corniglia to Vernazza or Portofino
- Hike from Corniglia to Vernazza
After visiting the village of Corniglia, head to the Church of St. Peter, where the hiking trail to Vernazza begins. The path is relatively flat at first, gradually revealing beautiful views of Corniglia. The trail then climbs before descending into Vernazza.
HIKING TIME : 4h
ASCENT : 550 m
DESCENT : 550 m
TRANSFER TIME : train = 15' from Levanto, 50' from Moneglia
- Hike in Portofino
Transfer to Camogli and explore the town, its enchanting harbor lined with colorful historic buildings by the sea, and the ruins of the medieval castle.
From there, take a boat to reach the San Fruttuoso Monastery, tucked away at the end of a sheltered cove. Your hike begins here, taking you through the stunning Portofino Regional Natural Park and ending in Portofino, the “little Italian Saint-Tropez.”
Discover this charming village, made famous by the song “Love in Portofino”, before returning to your hotel by bus and train.
HIKING TIME : 3h30
ASCENT : 400 m
DESCENT : 400 m
ACCOMMODATION : hotel ** or 3* depending on selected option
TRANSFER TIME : by train, bus and boat, 3h30 from Levanto, 3h from Moneglia
Day 5 : Hike from Manarola to Riomaggiore and/ or from Riomaggiore to Portovenere
After breakfast, take the train to Manarola or Riomaggiore, depending on your preference. Starting from Manarola via the Via dell’Amore adds an easy 1-hour walk.
Arriving in Riomaggiore, the route continues toward Portovenere, revealing a more authentic and less crowded side of the area. You head up to the Riomaggiore Castle overlooking the village, then quickly reach the Sanctuary of Madonna di Montenero, a stunning viewpoint over the Gulf of La Spezia.
Following a path above the sea, you reach the village of Campiglia, continuing on to enjoy breathtaking panoramas of the Portovenere peninsula and the islands of Palmaria and Tino.
Explore the medieval fishing village, also a UNESCO World Heritage site, before returning to your hotel by train.
HIKING TIME :
- 1h from Manarola to Riomaggiore
- 5h from Riomaggiore to Portovenere
ASCENT : 680 m from Riomaggiore to Portovenere
DESCENT : 680 m from Riomaggiore to Portovenere
ACCOMMODATION : hotel ** or 3* depending on selected option
TRANSFER TIME : by train = 1h40 from Levanto, 2h from Moneglia
Day 6 : Hike from Sestri Levante to Punta Manara or Framura to Levanto
- Hike from Sestri Levante to Punta Manara
Starting from Sestri Levante, near Vico del Bottone, your hike begins along the Salita alla Mandrella trail. Follow the Ligurian coastline to reach Punta Manara and its Saracen tower.
HIKING TIME : 2h
ASCENT : 200 m
DESCENT : 200 m
TRANSFER TIME : by train, bus and boat, 3h30 from Levanto, 3h from Moneglia
- Hike from Framura to Levanto
Or start from the village of Framura by train and follow a stunning trail that leads you to Bonassola, a charming seaside village.
HIKING TIME : 4h
ASCENT : 350 m
DESCENT : 350 m
ACCOMMODATION : hotel ** or 3* depending on selected option
TRANSFER TIME : by train, 10' from Levanto, 30' friom Moneglia
Day 7 : End of your trip in the Cinque Terre
End of the stay after breakfast.
Dates and prices
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Trip Notes
Reviews of this trip
5
Arthur
3 Septembre 2024
Cinque Terre tour with friends
An excellent trip in a truly beautiful region. The hotel was great, the food delicious, with much care given to special diets, and the welcome was warm throughout.
5
Lily
16 Avril 2024
Hiking the Cinque Terre
My first experience with a self-guided trip, and I was pleasantly surprised — the roadbook was very well put together. I traveled with two friends who were also very satisfied with the journey. The logistics were excellent: tasty and well-balanced meals, and a comfortable room. As for the location, even though it wasn’t in one of the Cinque Terre villages, it suited us perfectly — peaceful and ideal for recharging after a day of hiking.
5
Harry
11 Juin 2023
Tour of Cinque Terre
We had an excellent stay in the Cinque Terre. The welcome, the meals, and the hotel were all of very high quality. The proposed hikes, as well as the optional ones, were clearly explained and absolutely beautiful.
5
Jade
15 Mai 2023
Cinque Terre hiking tour
Everything was perfectly organized for this wonderful trip. The hikes can be challenging, but the reward of stunning views around every bend made it all worthwhile. My only wish? A little more time to linger in each village, as the train schedules set the pace of our returns.
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Self guided tour of the Cinque Terre