cinque terre trails

Cinque Terre essentially means "five lands" in Italian. It's 5 cities connected by trails and trains. Here it is in a simple breakdown:1st to 2nd city: start here. travel to next city is very easy and it includes the "Love Walk" that has all sorts of cute imagery and locks with peoples' names2nd to 3rd city: still pretty easy trails, but more difficult than the first with more food, shops, etc.3rd to 4th city: harder now, and different options for the difficulty of the trails (more beach, level ground and more mountain, uphill trails)4th to 5th city: the hardest yet, a lot of uphill even on the easier trails because the last city is at the top of a beautiful area. There are main shops and a beautiful beach and the best views for this trek. Keep in mind, you can always take a train instead of hiking from city to city as well. But if you're looking for views, I'd suggest at least hiking between 2 cities.

We stayed in Montorroso al Mare, one the 5 hill towns in the Cinque Terra. I loved the area with its quaint restaurants, coffee shops, and working class atmosphere. I could have down without so many college students, but we had a great time swimming in the Med and walking from town to town. It is definitely a place to visit, if you like to hike. Some of the trails are a little dicey, so what good boot and use hiking poles.

The walks on the Cinque Terre vary from easy to hard. Hard is not technically difficult but will be steep long hot and humid. All the walks are worthwhile with amazing views and wonderful towns. Be aware the easiest walks may not be available seasonally due to seemingly regular landslides.

We were there in the mid of February, and happily the days were sunny. Staying in Sestri Levante, and used local trains to visit in Cinque Terre villages. This was our 4th visit in the area, and we have walked most of the coast trails earlier. Now of course most of the popular trails were closed, but we walked from Riomaggiore to Manarola, up-and down-trail, which is about half-an-hour longer route than the closed coastal trail. It takes about one hour from us, but the path is only for those who are in quite good shape. Beginning of the trail was quite hard to climb up, but the trail was anyway in very good condition. Little bit hard to find, local people helped us to find the beginning of the path.Manarola was very quiet in February, we even did not find the open bar for the cup of coffee...So we then took a train to Vernazza, eated there (we found only one open restaurant there but the food was good) and after that took the trail to Monterosso. I have walked the same trail to other direction earlier, and this way was easier. About after 2 hours we were in Monterosso. The trailwas quite easy to walk, and in good condition.So it depends lot of the weather, is the hiking in the winter time good idea or not. The villages are very quiet and not so charming in winter time (everything is very closed) but the trails could be nice to hike even at that time if the weather is just good. We have +16 C and very sunny in mid-Feb 2015. Earlier years we have been in Apr, Sep and Oct in this area, mostly doing hiking.

It was a great sight to see how the old heritage had been preserved in these five little villages. It takes quite some walks up two or three of them but the view is breathtakingly beautiful.

We did this trail in October 2013. We stayed at Monterosso and set out from here. At this time, the trail was still closed from Corniglia to Rio Maggiore. You need a certain amount of fitness to do this walk as it is very hilly with long climbs up hill and steep climbs down. In addition, the humidity makes the dirt trail damp and slippery. The path is narrow and there are parts where there are no protective rails, a number of people falling and breaking limbs if not taking great care. We set out on a day when rain was predicted so we took waterproof jackets but the humidity made them cumbersome to carry as it was too hot to wear them. It was difficult once having climbed the paved trail out of Monterosso to find where the trail went as this was not very clear. Several of us followed what we thought were the blue indicators and ended up in someone's field so had to turn around and find the route where other walkers had gone. It was a long hard climb upwards and along the coast but the views were spectacular particularly as we approached Vernazza. This is such a pretty town and we stopped for a drink and snack before making our climb out of this town and ontowards Corniglia which is situated on a hilltop. This is a long steep climb and slippery in parts particularly as you descend into the town - watch the wooden boards lodged into the soil in parts of the track as they get very slippery. We took the train from Corniglia to Manarola and then another train to Rio Maggiore to visit these towns. If setting out on the trail, and walking between the 5 towns, we suggest you leave about 8am to ensure plenty of time to walk and stop to see the sights.

We visited Cinque Terre in the first week of February expecting a mild climate. Dressed for fall weather we were rudely greeted by cold wind and rain. We managed to see all 5 towns in one day because of the adverse weather condition. The trails from Riomaggiore to Manarola (Via d'Amore) and between Manarola and Corniglia were still closed for repairs so we traveled by local train. Almost everything was closed save for a few restaurants and stores. There were hardly any people - it was like a ghost town. Very few tourists except for a bus load of Chinese tourists in Manarola. Corniglia was a delight hiking up 400 steps from the train station to town in the rain. We found a wonderful restaurant that served delicious food - Enoteca Il Pirun. We had no Euros and the only place in town to get cash was a bancomat we did not know how to use. But he honored our US dollar. The natural beauty of the place was still very apparent but the joy of hiking between villages and spending time on the beaches were precluded by weather. Even the ferries to see the towns from the sea was not available.The moral of this: When it is winter everywhere, it is also winter here. The locals call it "low season" and welcome the respite from the maddening summer crowd. It was nice not to deal with the crowds but you can see the trade-off. Would love to come back sometime in the summertime.

The hike between Monterosso and Venazza was especially the highlight of my 8 week European adventure. The trails provided the most beautiful view that I have ever seen and I promise, it is well worth the trip. I would not rate anything else as highly and have told everyone I have spoken too that this is a must see attraction. Get the train to the furthest town, Monterosso and hike your way back, stopping for lunch along the way. I stayed in Pisa and was especially able to cover the 5 towns in a one day trip.

We took a day trip from Florence to hike Cinque Terre, it is the most beautiful hike I have ever been on. The colours of the villages with the greenery and the blue ocean is a image I will never forget. We did this trail in simple Tom's and Keds. Many reviews tell you to wear hiking boots or good runners but we did just fine in our shoes. Definitely don't wear flip flops!! Take water with you, but don't pack a ton of food, take the chance to stop in one of the little villages, it's wonderful. The hike is easy to moderate, if you have decent footwear and a day in the area try to hike as much of the trail as you can, then just train out from wherever you end.

I walked east from the end section at Monterroso usually regarded as the hardest. It is a little challenging but anyone with average fitness can achieve it. I caught the train to my starting point then paid the national park fee at a small ticket booth and began my walk back. The first half is a mostly step ascent but with a marked trail and cut steps. The views back to Monterosa then forward on the descent to Venazza are spectacular. The walk for me took 3 hours, time very well spent.

I took a day trip with Walkabout Florence to Cinque Terre in September 2013. The whole place was so cinematic with beautiful, vibrant color painted houses & reserved natural landscape. The whole 1.5 hour walk to the last stop was definitely one of the most fascinating moments of my life so far. I've never seen the Mediterranean ocean so vast and blue. I didn't get a chance to enjoy the sunset on the Canal of Lovers, but I did sip a white wine glass on the rock in middle of the mountain. The view was so amazing I got lost for words...If I come back I'd definitely plan an overnight trip to fully enjoy this beautiful land.

Five remote and quaint fishing villages are connected by train and hiking trails. Take a train here and stay a couple or three days. You won't regret it! My daughter and I spent two weeks traveling Italy by train. Of the many places we visited there, Cinque Terre was our favorite. If you love the outdoors, simple life, and living life in Italy like a local, then this is the place for you. The locals are friendly people! You can sunbathe on the pebble beach or huge rocks, hike, or just live like a local. The apartment that we rented overlooked the harbor in Vernazza. There was a tiny bar below us that even came to life a little at night. The hiking trails vary in difficulty. You can choose the one that is right for you. I don't think I can even put into words my thoughts about the views… They were just stunning! The most beautiful of the five villages to me were Vernazza and Monterosso. We hiked from Vernazza to the top of the mountain, over and down to Monterosso. We arrived in Monterosso just before sundown, and it was a beautiful sight! The hike between these two villages can be very strenuous if you are not in fairly descent physical condition. We saw some people hiking who were having a little bit of a difficult time. Take a snack, a couple bottles of water, and wear hiking boots/shoes! We didn't have on true hiking shoes, and our feet were hurting after hiking down the mountain, feet pounding on rocks again and again. This is a beautiful and peaceful place! Trust me, you will never forget Cinque Terre!!!

We took the trail from Monterosso to Vernazza and it was hard...for me at least. I'm pretty out of shape but it seemed like for 3/4 of the trail it was uphill! I was huffing and puffing away but what kept me going was the constant gorgeous views! We had to pay to go on the trail, which I thought was a little pricey but definitely worth it. It was insane once you round a corner and see the next city below with the colorful buildings, soooo pretty! It took us a while to get to Vernazza because we made a ton of stops to take photos and to eat the sandwiches that we bought in Monterosso. Everyone needs to visit here at least once in their life!

It has been said that if you ever get tired a life, you should visit the Cinque Terre, and that is so very true. Head for the high trails. The harder it is, the fewer people, and the more stunning the views. I'd hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back the previous year, and even that could not compare to the stretch of trail from Montarola to Volastra to Corniglia. We were there during the grape harvest, and we watches the grapes being harvested and smelled that sweep scent of grapes as we hiked up the stone steps into the vineyards. You will pant and sweat, but it will be the hike you remember for the rest of your life. When you reach Volastra, stop at the little tavern at the top of the hill (it has a spotless restroom they are kind enough to let you use), and make sure to buy some of those lemon, frosty drinks you will see at the bar. I don't know what those were, but they were amazing. As you hike onward, the vineyards give way to olives and then back again. Corniglia is a great place to stop for lunch before you continue your hike onward to the next two towns, or decide to take the train back to the town you are using as home base. The trains connect all the towns, so when you get tired it is easy to get back to where you started, or you can take a boat back. It is all very easy to use.

What an amazing place! It is so beautiful!Bring good shoes and a camera, and you will have a day you will remember forever!My girlfriend and I took the hike from Monterosso to Vernazza, and from Vernazza to Corniglia, and it was breathtaking. The hike goes up in the hills with an amazing view and nature surrounding you! We stopped for a bath in Vernazza on our way, which was really refreshing on the hot summer day.Unfortunately, the blue trail, which we followed, was closed between Corniglia and the last two towns, so we had to take the train to visit these. I really hope I will return one day, to experience the last part of the hike!It has to be one of the best days of my life, and I will remember it forever!