"Hiking the Cinque Terre" Top 5 Page for this destination Liguria by diver-x

Liguria Travel Guide: 3,347 reviews and 7,537 photos

Manarola, one of the Cinque Terra villages

Cinque Terre in Liguria

Before we started off on our tour of Tuscany, we stopped over in La Spezia in Liguria for a couple of nights so we could explore the Cinque Terre. The five coastal fishing villages that make up the Cinque Terre are connected by rail and by hiking paths. From La Spezia, we hopped on the train to Riomaggiore and hiked north to 3 more of the villages up to Vernazza. By that time it was dinnertime and so we decided to finish the hike the next morning. So the next day, we took the train from La Spezia to Monterosso and then we hiked south back to Vernazza.

Highlight of our Italy Tour

This view is your reward for hiking into Vernazza

It was too bad that we opted to see the Cinque Terre first in our tour of western Italy. It was the highlight of our trip and everything else we did just didn't quite measure up. I think big part of the reward of the Cinque Terre was the effort it took to hike it. The trail ranges from incredibly easy in the south to very challenging in the north. And each village along the way is a reward to look forward to at the end of each leg of the trail. If you take the train from village to village, you're really missing out.

Cliff put a video together of the trip. Click here to see it!

Last visit to Liguria: Oct 2004
Intro Updated Jun 26, 2006
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Reviews (11)

Cold waves crashing into jetty = no diving! - Liguria

Scuba Diving! Sports & Outdoors (1)

We did not realize that scuba diving was a very popular activity around Cinque Terre. Not only that, but the water... more travel advice

Getting Chow in Cinque Terre Villages Restaurants (1)

Most of the food available in the Cinque Terre villages that we saw were pizzerias, cafes and gelaterias, with maybe 2... more travel advice

Train to Cinque Terre Villages Transportation (1)

We took the train from La Spezia to the Cinque Terre towns to start our hikes. The train was on time and only took a few... more travel advice

Train Station Facilities Warnings Or Dangers (1)

Here is a picture in the Ladies' WC in the La Spezia train station. Need I say more??? more travel advice

Hotels (1)
Hotel Corallo - La Spezia

Things to Do (6)
See All Cinque Terre Stop Five: Monterosso

Travelogues (4)

1 - 4 of 4

Comments (9)

aussiedoug Nov 23, 2008 at 2:53 AM Report Abuse

Started looking at questi tips ci sono molto interessanto. Now have finished tonight (here in Sydney). Will try to have 2 nights here next April. Hiking sth is the best way? Ciao da Sydney.
madamx Jan 24, 2007 at 8:44 AM Report Abuse

Sharon, thanks for your clear and concise instructions on visiting the Cinque Terre; saved them to my travel guide! We plan to travel there in April ~ Helen
magor65 Jun 9, 2006 at 1:25 PM Report Abuse

Very practical and interesting tips. I also like visiting cemeteries, they can tell you so much not only about the dead but also about the living.
globetrott Apr 5, 2006 at 12:05 PM Report Abuse

an excellent page and great travelogues & pics , bringing back great memories ! Thanks for sharing !
Tdiver Feb 17, 2006 at 6:25 AM Report Abuse

As i used to live on a yacht 20 years ago in Porto Venere enjoyed your pages but would have liked a contact no. for the diving.They won the world cup then WHAT A PARTY.
Jim_Eliason Dec 21, 2005 at 5:30 PM Report Abuse

great tips and travelogues!
olyrunner Sep 29, 2005 at 10:00 AM Report Abuse

Wow, fantastic Cinque Terre travelogues! I almost feel like I've been there (and now must surely go there). Very nice job!
Helga67 Jan 23, 2005 at 2:56 AM Report Abuse

This is surely a part of Italy I want to visit one day. Great tips about the hiking.
himalia11 Nov 7, 2004 at 11:01 AM Report Abuse

It's long ago that I've been there, but I still remember the endless hike through the wineyards in the summer heat!