Walking in Italy's Cinque Terre

Perched above a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage coastline in the Italian Riviera, the five fishing villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore are connected by a network of cliff and vineyard paths that make the Cinque Terre one of the most iconic walking destinations in Italy. Beyond the famous villages, the surrounding area extends to neighbouring Levanto, Campiglia, and Porto Venere, offering quieter routes well away from the crowds.

All five Cinque Terre villages serve as starting points in this Cicerone guidebook by Gillian Price, which describes 16 graded walks ranging from 2 to 14km (1 to 8 miles) and can be completed in 2 to 5 hours, all accessible by public transport. It combines clear route descriptions with notes on local history, plants, wildlife, and cuisine to help you explore the Cinque Terre with confidence and context.

• The 16 walks are graded 1 to 3 and cover routes in and around all five Cinque Terre villages as well as Levanto, Campiglia, and Porto Venere, ranging from easy coastal paths to steep climbs through vineyards and cliff-edge terrain
• The popular Sentiero Verde Azzurro linking Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore is described in full, alongside a superb higher traverse continuing via Campiglia to Porto Venere
• All 16 routes can be combined to create a 3 to 4 day trek across the Cinque Terre, with detailed information on accommodation, refreshments, and public transport, making it straightforward to plan a multi-day itinerary by train and ferries
• Maps at 1:50,000 or 1:25,000 are included for each walk alongside GPX files available to download, so you can navigate the ancient paths with confidence, whether on paper or on a GPS device or smartphone app
• Spring (April to June) and autumn (September and October) are the best seasons for walking, though winter offers a quieter and magical experience for those happy to find some accommodation providers and restaurants closed

From the Sentiero Verde Azzurro linking all five villages to the quieter heights above Campiglia and Porto Venere, this guidebook covers the full breadth of walking in the Cinque Terre with maps, GPX downloads, and expert local knowledge for every route.

Seasons

Spring (April to June) and autumn (September and October), avoiding the heat of summer, are the best times for walking but also the busiest. Winter can be magical and quiet - though many accommodation providers and restaurants close and the weather can occasionally be wild and stormy.

Centres

The Cinque Terre villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola, Corniglia, Riomaggiore, as well as neighbouring Levanto, Campiglia and Porto Venere.

Difficulty

The walks in this guide are graded 1-3 and are suitable for beginners through to experienced walkers. Some walks are steep, and long flights of stone steps are often encountered. Quality walking boots or shoes are essential.

Must See

The world-famous paths between charming Cinque Terre villages on spectacular cliff and vineyard routes. The popular Sentiero Verde Azzurro links Monterosso to Vernazza to Corniglia to Manarola to Riomaggiore. A superb higher traverse leads on via Campiglia and on to delightful Portovenere.

Map key

Overview Map

INTRODUCTION

Exploring the Cinque Terre

Walking

Plants and flowers

Wildlife

Getting there and getting around

Information

When to go

Accommodation

Food and drink

What to take

Maps

Dos and don’ts

Emergencies

Using this guide

Walks

Walk 1 Levanto to Monterosso

Walk 2 Monterosso via Colla di Gritta circuit

Walk 3 Monterosso to Vernazza via the sanctuaries

Walk 4 Monterosso to Vernazza on the SVA

Walk 5 Vernazza to Corniglia on the SVA

Walk 6 Corniglia via Cigoletta and San Bernardino to Vernazza

Walk 7 Corniglia via Volastra to Manarola

Walk 8 Manarola panoramic loop

Walk 9 Manarola to Riomaggiore on Via Beccara

Walk 10 Riomaggiore high circuit

Walk 11 Riomaggiore low circuit

Walk 12 Riomaggiore to Porto Venere

Walk 13 Campiglia circuit via Monesteroli and Fossola

Walk 14 Punta Persico

Walk 15 Porto Venere and Monte Muzzerone

Walk 16 Palmaria island circuit

Appendix A Village maps

Appendix B Route summary table

Appendix C Useful information

Appendix D Glossary

Appendix E Accommodation