Hiking in Cinque Terre

The terraced, seaside villages of Cinque Terre offer some of the best hiking in all of Italy.

The region has an extensive network of hiking trails connecting each of the five villages to one another. Some Cinque Terre hiking trails are tiring and difficult, while others are suitable for nearly everyone.

Hiking in the Cinque Terre

In Italian a trail is called a sentiero. The high path Sentiero no. 1 is an old mule-track, perhaps dating back to Roman times, which runs along the ridge which separates the coast from the hinterland.

The famous Sentiero no. 2 or Sentiero Azzurro connects the five villages of the Cinque Terre. There is a total elevation difference of 500 meters between the highest and lowest points of the trail.

You can walk the entire route in about six hours, if you only take short breaks. Anyway, we recommend all hikers to spread the route out over two or three days and stop to enjoy the towns along the way.

You can start from either direction. From Monterosso, heading south, or from Riomaggiore, heading north.

Footpath in Cinque Terre

Via dell'Amore - the Lovers' Lane

Hiking in Cinque Terre is not only for athletes. If you are in the mood for something easy walk the Via dell’Amore - the Lover's Path - from Riomaggiore to the neighboring village of Manarola. The walk is approximately one and a half miles long and takes around 25 minutes, depending on how many times you decide to stop and take in the wonderful view. Unfortunately the Via dell'Amore is closed due to a landslide and will reopen in July 2024. Please refer to the page Cinque Terre Open Hiking Trails for more information.

Walking through the Cinque Terre National Park, you will discover the coastline as well as the backcountry: villages that cling to the cliffs, tiny sandy beaches and sandy coves as well as terraced fields and extensive woodlands. Follow the paths through groves of chestnut, pine, olive trees and wine yards. Enjoy the spectacular views of the sea and the entire coastline.

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