The Cinque Terre consists of five well-know fishing villages perched over the sea in the region of Liguria, Italy, and coastal area also known as the Italian Riviera. They have been incorporated into the smallest Italian National Park called Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre, for which you will pay an entrance fee.
This page is mostly about the red trails, the higher trails you may have to take when trail maintenance is taking place on the normal blue trails or when you're ready for a bigger challenge and a higher viewpoint. The blue trails on the map are walked relatively easily, and the information you need will come to you when you buy your park ticket.
As the villages have little or no parking, it's best to reach the Cinque Terre by train. You'll likely change trains in La Spezia if you're coming from other destinations in Tuscany. More on La Spezia below.
Cinque Terre Hiking Trails: The Map
Getting to the Cinque Terre by bus or train from Florence
The closest of Italy's "big three" cities is Florence. The distance from Florence to the Cinque Terre Village of Manarola is 79 miles or 127 km. At the time of writing there is one direct train a day. There are buses, but they're more expensive then the current train fare at around $18 or 15 euro. [check schedules/purchase tickets online]
You can also take a guided tour from Florence.
Notes on Walking the Cinque Terre Trails
As tourist traffic is high on the paths, you should always consult the Official Cinque Terre Parco Nationale site for trail closures and other information. This page indicates trail closures with a red circle. In 2018, the trails from Riomaggiore to Manarola (2a) and Manarola - Corniglia (2b) are closed.
The numbers on the map are trail numbers. Trail markers and maps (like the one you can purchase below) will refer to these numbers.
Notice that each town has its local church. Once you've walked the Sentiero Azzuro, you might find it interesting to walk to one or more of the shrines located above each village. (Note that N. S. on the map stands for Nostra Signora):
- Nostra Signora di Soviore
- Nostra Signora di Reggio
- Nostra Signora delle Grazie e di S.Bernardino
- Nostra Signora della Salute
- Nostra Signora di Montenero
The wide Red Path shown in the map is known as the Cinque Terre's High Path or C.A.I. n°1 path. It begins in Portovenere and ends in Levanto, following the spine of the coastal range. There is an 800 meter elevation gain (and loss). You probably shouldn't try to do the whole walk in one day; it's 40 km long and recommended for experienced walkers. The views are superb.
The Blue Trails, Times and Distances to Walk
Riomaggiore to Manarola: 1.2 miles (2km); 40 minutes to walk. Easy
Manarola to Corniglia: 1.2 miles (2km); 1 hour 15 minutes to walk. Easy
Corniglia to Vernazza: 2 miles (4km); 1 hour 45 minutes to walk. Medium
Vernazza to Monterosso: 1.8 miles (3km); 2 hours to walk. Medium (steps) Good views.
How to Get In
Since the Cinque Terre is now a national park, you will pay a fee to walk the trails. You will do this buy buying a Cinque Terre Card. The card comes in two flavors, with and without unlimited train service, and two durations, one or two days. Special discounts are available for families and children.
Get a Cinque Terre Treno MS if you want to combine your trekking with unlimited train use. It will cost about 5 euro more than the Carta Parco card, which doesn't provide access to train service. Check out the list of services supplied by each card by using the button below.
Available For Purchase At:
- At all railway stations of the Cinque Terre’s villages, and at stations in La Spezia and Levanto.
- Blue Path trailheads
- tourist information centers in each village
- bus drivers in the Cinque Terre
You cannot buy the card in advance
On the Trails
Trail Signs
These are the kinds of signs you expect to see. The word "trail" in Italian is sentiero, plural is sentiere. Go left and you'll be taking the trail to the village of Corniglia.
Emergency Calls
Yes, technology has arrived in your little corner of paradise--but these aren't found as frequently as you may need one. Take care. The trails are narrow the the drops are steep.
Shoes!
As you can see, high heels are out. Such a cruel pronoucement, eh? The trails are usually fairly rough, this is no romp in the woods, so wear stout shoes.
View of Vernazza
Guides for Walkers: Planning a Trek
David Downie, writing at Wandering Liguria, offers delicious descriptions of the Best Hikes in the Cinque Terre:
Riomaggiore to La Madonna di Montenero - "One of my favorite adventuresome trails in the Cinque Terre runs uphill at an impressive angle for 45 minutes starting at Riomaggiore, the southernmost of the Cinque Terre villages. It leads to the monastery of the Madonna di Montenero."
Madonna di Montenero to Volastra and Corniglia - "This is one of the top walks in the Cinque Terre. Above the village of Manarola the same ancient hiking trail that links Riomaggiore to La Madonna di Montenero changes directions and cuts midway across the slope to reach the villages of Volastra and Corniglia."
In fact, if you have a car, starting in Volastra is easier than starting in one of the coastal villages of the Cinque Terre. See: Volastra: Cinque Terre You Can Drive To.
Classic Cinque Terre Coast Walk - "If you have only one day to discover Liguria's Cinque Terre, for sheer hiking pleasure nothing beats the seven-mile coast trail linking all five villages.
Find info on the Cinque Terre Express Train Service.
Of course, it's trecherous to walk the trails at night, so you might as well settle in for some Cinque Terre Nightlife.
Cinque Terre Weather & Climate
See our Cinque Terre Climate page for historical monthly temperatures, rainfall, and current forecast for the Liguria coast and the Cinque Terre.
Hotels and Vacation Rentals in the Cinque Terre Villages
Here are some links to user-rated hotels and Guest Houses for Levanto and the five villages:
Levanto Monterosso Vernazza Corniglia Manarola Riomaggiore
La Spezia Province has a number of villas and country cottages in which you can stay in and around the Cinque Terre. Click or tap the button below to find out more.
La Spezia Province Vacation RentalsHostels aren't just for the young and restless any more. You can book private rooms in them now. The button below allows you to compare prices on hostels from several web booking agents.
Compare Prices on Hostels in the Cinque Terre
La Spezia, "Gateway to the Cinque Terre"
If you are planning to arrive late, you may wish to stay overnight in La Spezia and make your start to the Cinque Terre early the next morning. In summer, trains from La Spezia to the Cinque Terre tend to be very crowded, and many folks are forced to stand in the aisles. The curious may wish to read the blog post: Rick Steves, his foreskin and the Cinque Terre.
La Spezia train station has a Cinque Terre visitor center where you can get information and pick up a Cinque Terre Card, if it would be of benefit to your stay.
La Spezia Travel Guide La Spezia Lodging
The Hotel Mary is the budget choice, located near the train station with a helpful staff.
If you need hostel type lodging or less expensive guesthouses, try Hostelz: La Spezia.
Interesting Cinque Terre Tours
One of the best vantage points you can get of the Cinque Terre Villages is from the sea, and a small and colorful boat might be the way to go. Angelo's boat tours take you around in a gozzo, a traditional, wooden Ligurian fishing boat.
If you're arriving to Italy via cruise ship docking at Livorno, you can visit the Cinque Terre right from the Lovorno pier.
Skim across the waters in a kayak starting in Monterosso.
Cinque Terre Kayaking Trip from Monterosso
You can also walk the Cinque Terre and taste food and wine along the way.
Cinque Terre Walking Tour with Food and Wine Tastings
Find other tours and adventures: Cinque Terre Tours, Tickets, Activities & Things To Do
Planning a Trip?
Here are some travel planning tools that are especially useful if you're planning your first or second trip to Italy.
- Travel Planning Timeline: Learn what you need to plan when.
- What Will an Italy Vacation Cost?: Tools for budgeting your Italian vacation.
- Unplanned Attractions: Save time for the good life in Italy.
