Hiking The Cinque Terre
Hiking along the “Blue Trail” along the Cinque Terre means hiking through pittoresque villages and above the blue Mediterranean Sea.
You can do easy, moderate or even challenging hikes in this region of Italy. The best thing about hiking there is the view of the Mediterranean ocean, the lush nature and the colorful, tiny villages along the coast.
The Sentiero Azzuro or The Blue Trail
The Blue Trail (Sentiero Azzuro) connects the villages Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.
To see most of the places you should plan on hiking up to three days.
The Via dell´Amore or The Lover´s Walk
The Via dell’ Amore is a 1.2 miles long walk. Easy with no ups or downs like some of the other routes. The Lover´s Walk connects Riomaggiore with Manarola and is known for it´s kissing statue and several love locks plus a close view to the ocean.
Vernazza – The Most Beautiful Village
If you hike from the south up to the northern part of The Cinque Terre you will reach Vernazza from above. A perfect place for taking some pictures before walking down the steps. Tiny shops, great italian restaurants and the train station are close by.
TIPS:
Use well worn and perfect fitted shoes because the hiking time can take up to 5 hours or more. But it´s worth it.
Take the train
You can get to your starting point by taking the train or buses. Using the train will give you some great views of the sea.
Best Time For Hiking Along The Cinque Terre
Around April is one of the best times. Why? Because fhe trees and flowers are in full bloom and the weather is perfect for hiking. Not too hot or cold.
Note: Recently some of the paths are closed due to maintenance or for other reasons. Before you go there, be sure to check out if the path you´d like to hike is open.
If you have time left after your hiking adventure, why not take the train to Genua or hike to Portofino.
Day Trip from Cinque Terre to Genua
Note: If you go to the Cinque Terre please eat a plate of Trofie al Pesto for me. 😉
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zuletzt aktualisiert am December 18, 2022
Wow 5 hours! But I bet it’s all worth it, the views must be amazing!
The view is great, the food is even better and the little towns along the Cinque Terre are beautiful.
Wow! This place looks gorgeous! I love hiking. 5 hours is nothing, especially with a view like that at the end 🙂
That´s true. It didn´t feel like 5 hours walking because there is so much to see.
This is something I want to do. Is it that crowded for the majority of the walk or only in certain places?
It is not THAT crowded all the time. It was only on this particular place.
You really are treated to some amazing views over the coastal villages whenever you go hiking in the mountains and that by itself warrants taking the time to go off exploring! But then of course you never know what sort of hidden gems you may come across on your travels!
How true, Chris. It is worth to stop and explore the beautiful villages. Every one along the Cinque Terre is special and has its own flair.
I have friends who did some hikes there and they were amazed by the beauty of views. me too, I saw the pictures 🙂
I liked it a lot too and it would be great to hike there again and spend more time in the little villages along the coast.
I never knew how crowded the trails can get. The views are totally worth it though!
It was crowded at this place because it was narrow and steep and some had to rest in between, I guess. But you don´t have to worry that it´s all the time crowded because there are many trails along the Cinque Terre and the coast.
I’ve hiked my fair share in Switzerland but the views are so different. I do especially love the coast of Italy. Never really occurred to me to hike the coast.
It´s not what you normally think about when you are at the coast. But it´s the perfect place for hiking if you are at the Cinque Terre.
This is an absolute dream destination for me, Cinque Terre couldn’t be more idyllic. Thanks for the great photos!
Thanks. Hope you will make it to the Cinque Terre soon.
I love the Cinque Terre – one of my favourite parts of my favourite country! As you say, it’s great for walkers.
So far it´s my favorite part too. 😉
My friend is honeymooning there in a couple of weeks, what a lucky duck!
Your friend is indeed a lucky duck. 🙂 Interesting choice for a honeymoon.
Cinque Terre is high up on my wish list. I’ve not been to Italy a lot but this one place seems so different to all of them.
I´m not sure but I think the Amalfi Coast is kind of similar to the Cinque Terre. But you are right. It´s kind of different.
Looks absolutely gorgeous!! I had a ‘Postcard’ from Cinque Terre on my blog a few months back, and I’ve wanted to visit ever since. Amazing views 🙂
It is gorgeous and especially for couples the Via dell´Amore is a great place to spend some time. 🙂
Wouldn’t mind hiking for 5 hours (or even longer!) with a view like that! Sounds like a ‘must do’!
I´m not sure if it´s a “must do” for everyone, Nina, but I can highly recommend it. I would do it definitely again.
I have been to the Cinque Terre several times but I always get too lazy to hike the trails. I blame the beach at Monterosso and the restaurants in Vernazza. I have hiked up to the top of the fort in Vernazza though, although that was to go to the restaurant up there…. Not sure if that counts. I think next time I head back I will have to hike it though. After all this time there is no excuse not to!
I totally understand you. The restaurants in Vernazza and the beach at Monterosso are a great place to spend the day or at least a couple of hours.
I´m sure you will like the hiking too. The next time I am there I want to hike a little and spend more time in the little towns and beaches. 😀
Great blog and photos! I absolutely loved the Cinque Terre and I can’t wait to go back someday to do the walk again! I went in summer and there wasn’t too many people on the trail as it may have been too hot – it looks quite busy in your photos.
I was there in spring and it wasn´t as crowded as it looks like at the picture. It was only this part of the hike where people had a hard time getting up the steep part. Otherwise it was amazing and not too hot. Perfect time for hiking along the Cinque Terre.
Nex time visit all The Riviera from La Spezia to Genova. is beautifull franco
I would love to go hiking around this breathtaking coast! Great post, Christina!
In case you will go hiking in the Cinque Terre area, be sure to check out if the trails are opened. Lately, some of the were closed. 🙁