However, it frequently closes due to landslides. It was closed when we did this hike in and it is currently closed again until If this trail is closed, you have the option to take the train to Manarola or hike a much more difficult trail, the high route, to the next town.
Anxious to get started and not thrilled about having to wait 45 minutes for the next train, we chose to hoof it over the mountain. Click here to see the location of the trailhead on Google Maps. This trail took is a succession of stone staircases and steep hill climbs. But, you do climb high and are treated to wonderful views of the coastline.
The trail on top of the mountain took us through vineyards. We were rewarded for our hard work with great views over Riomaggiore and the coastline. Since we were one of the only crazy ones who decided to make this climb we were almost on our own. During the descent into Manarola Tim had a wipeout. His weight pitched him off the trail, he fell through some brush and landed on the hillside five feet below the level of the trail. Tim somehow emerged from this without a scratch on him, giving us all a good laugh.
We safely finished the rest of the hike into Manarola. We bought breakfast at a grocery store, spent a little time exploring the town, and then had to decide what to do about getting to the third town, Corniglia. Again, the trail was closed. Would we ever get to hike the main Cinque Terre trail? Once again, we had the option to either hike up and over another mountain, this hike being twice as long as the first one we did, or take the train to Corniglia.
We chose the train. We still had a long, hot day in front of us and Kara was already beginning to run out of steam. To get from the train station into Corniglia you have to climb this long series of wide steps into town. It still felt like we were hiking even though we had just taken the train! To get from Corniglia to Vernazza we hiked on dusty, rocky paths, up and down endless stone steps, and through many more vineyards.
The views were spectacular. Towards the end of this portion of the hike Kara kept warning us that her feet were going to explode. Finally, we made it to the most beautiful town of the Cinque Terre, Vernazza with all feet intact. Vernazza is beautiful, and it was extremely crowded during the brief period of time we spent there. All of these towns can be explored in less than a half an hour, but be prepared to walk up and down some steep inclines.
We wandered away from the main street through Vernazza and went to Alberto Gelateria for a much needed break. This was the best gelato we had so far, and it was so good that we went back for seconds. Finally, it was time for the final hike to Monterosso. This is the most strenuous stretch of the Cinque Terre, another mountainous hike lasting 3 km. Fortunately, Kara got her second wind. Two hours later, a very sweaty, tired family of four arrived in Monterosso.
It was time for that much deserved swim! Once in Monterosso we plopped down at the beach for a much needed swim in the ocean. This was the perfect way to end our hike. So, what do we think about the hike now that it is over? It was a great experience, the views were incredible, and there was something very cool about hiking through the hillside vineyards. Cooler temperatures would have made the hike more enjoyable, but it was July, so it was going to be hot.
The heat just made the gelato and the swimming that much more enjoyable. For anyone who wants to see the Cinque Terre and have an active, adventurous day, hiking the trail is a great option. As for our favorite town, Monterosso was the winner. Monterosso is the largest of the five towns, and with its two beaches, multitude of water sports, and its wonderful energy, we loved it here. Vernazza was the prettiest, Corniglia was the quietest, Manarola had a great harbor, and Riomaggiore was the best place to sit and watch the sunset.
From May through September, the cities and the hiking trails can get very crowded. If you visited or hiked the Cinque Terre during the summer months in recent years, how was your experience? We would love to hear about your experience and it would help future readers know what to expect during their visit.
Let us know in the comment section at the end of this article. We give tips and advice how to keep costs low but still enjoy the best that the Cinque Terre has to offer. The hike can be done in either direction. To get the hardest hiking over with first, start in Monterosso. Once you reach Corniglia, and assuming all of the trails are open, the easier sections will be at the end.
For those who are very ambitious, there are trails that go even higher into the mountains for some of the best views of the area. The Cinque Terre information points in each town have maps of these trails. There are different options for buying the Cinque Terre Park Card. There are also multi-day passes available. For more information click here. Water bottles can be refilled at the public water fountains in each town.
We drank gallons of water out of the public fountains all throughout Italy. As with our experience, trails close frequently.
The day before our hike the trail from Riomaggiore to Manarola was open. There was a rockslide during the night which covered part of the trail, making it inaccessible. Check with the information offices before starting any hike for trail closures. Sections of the trail are true hiking. What better way to cool off than a swim in the Mediterranean Sea! This is a small, budget hotel. It was very basic, with small rooms, an interesting bathroom you actually had to walk through the shower to get into the bathroom , but it was only a five minute walk to the train station.
If you are traveling on a budget, consider staying in La Spezia to save money. Planning a trip to Italy? Read all of our articles in our Italy Travel Guide.
Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Hi, we hope to be in Cinque Terre this August. Of the two hikes between Corniglia to Vernazza and Vernazza to Monterosso, which would you recommend if we only did one? I have an almost 5, 6, and 8 year old with me, and our limit is about 4 miles at a time because of the 4 year old.
Of course we then want to get a paddle boat for some awesome beach time at the end. I think the views are better between Corniglia and Vernazza. If I remember correctly, you get great views along the entire coastline from this part of the trail. Then take the train to Monterosso. And we have such great memories of those paddle boats. I hope you and your kids have a great time in the Cinque Terre!
Cheers, Julie. We returned last week from hiking in the Cinque Terre. Being August it was of course very hot, and although we are keen walkers, we found some of the steep uphills rather a struggle. We walked from Monterosso to Vernazza and then on the Corniglia. Tip: on the latter section there is an isolated bar at the top of the climb — most welcome!
The stretch between Corniglia and Riomaggiore is sadly still closed. We started in Camogli, a beautiful town, and did a day walk from there to Portofino ditto with interesting stops on the way. Next stop was Bonassola OK but a walk from there was of little interest. And then we hiked on to Monterosso! We realised that it would have been better to organise the trip ourselves — more flexibility to choose the places we wanted to see — and the paths are clearly marked, so the elaborate route notes were unnecessary.
One more thing. Because the Blue Trail was closed, we visited Manarola and Monterosso by boat. On the same day we also visited Portovenere, which is not one of the five towns, but just as good, interesting, beautiful and lively. Well worth a visit or even an overnight stop. Wow, lots of great tips here. Thanks so much! Sounds like you had a cool trip, walking from town to town along the coast. Hello both of you adventurous travelers! A friend and I are headed to CT towards the end of September.
But, if trails are closed in and out, is that a mistake? Please let me know what you suggest. And if you have wonderful trails off the beaten path, wonderful places to stop on a hike, etc. I could use any advice you have. Thank you! Hello Laura. I think it is fine to stay in Manarola. Detailed information can be found on that page. Here you can also view the map with the routes that are closed marked in red and the ones which are open marked in green.
Unfortunately, due to the mountainous terrain, it is practically impossible for all the trails to be open at the same time. But since each village is connected to its neighbor by a minimum of two trails, at least one of the two will very likely be open. The current condition of the route: closed for a long period. Reason: reconstruction work. It should fully open from May Cinque Terre Card accommodation facilities. System for the online issue of day authorizations. Paths and Outdoor -. Interventions in the agricultural sector.
Online documents. Visit the Park. Agriculture and Landscape. Hamlets and Sanctuaries. Paths and Outdoor. Tourist , Hiking , Skilled , Closed. Hiking itineraries with departure from: Monterosso Ring-route itinerary on the high paths of the hamlet dear to Montale: among sea scales, Jurassic rocks, ancient lemon houses and blossoming.
Ring-route Itinerary Vernazza Itinerary on the high paths surrounding Vernazza. Ring-route Itinerary Corniglia Discovering the high paths of the Corniglia hamlet, through the ring-route itinerary from the sea to the ridge wood, up to the wine terraces: everything is connected. Ring-route Itinerary Manarola Verticality and peasant visions through the ring-route on the high paths form Manarola, passing through its hamlets, Collina del Corniolo and Strada dei Santuari.
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