"Cinque Terre" Monterosso al Mare by randychiara

The itinerary of routes through the Cinque Terre (the Five Lands) offers the most evocative glimpses of the Riviera together with the opportunity of observing interesting elements of nature.
Route n°1 the CAI of La Spezia, marked in white and red, begins in the main square of Porto Venere (Piazza Bastreri), terminus of main public transport, just by the right hand side of the entrance to the medieval village. The route mounts up irregular steps carved in the rock and follows entirely the watershed between the sea and the inland. The path skirts the external walls of the Castello Doria and to the left is the view of the church of S. Pietro protracted towards the sea and the isle of Palmaria. On the right hand side instead are the internal waters of the gulf of La Spezia. Proceeding along the crest on the left hand side are the rocky cliffs with over a one-hundred metre vertical drop onto the rocks below, passing the outskirts of the fort of Muzzerone. On the rocks around are bushes of Porto Venere’s cornflower, a plant that is exclusive to this promontory and the two islands of Palmaria and Tino.

The path carries on through woods until it reaches the medieval village of Campiglia, 382 metres over the sea, and the only inhabited area along the route. Passed Campiglia the path continues parallel to the coast, parts of which are completely surrounded by bushes, and are spring is covered in flowering broom. from here the hill of the telegraph, where two restaurants are to be found, is easily reached. We suggest stocking up with water as there will be rare occasions to do so before reaching the Madonna of Soviore, above Monterosso. The Telegraph hill is an important cross-road between the asphalted road that links La Spezia to Mount Verrugoli and Mount Parodi and the track that follows the coast linking the Sanctuaries, a panoramic route that runs half way up the cost.
From the Brampane cross-road, not far from the Telegraph Hill, the crest extends north-west with wonderful panoramic views. Below is the first village of the Cinque Terre, situated in a steep valley terraced with dry stone walls for the cultivation of vineyards. The watershed route follows the border of all the Cinque Terre area above Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso.

A section of almost flat ground, between 600 and 800 metres above sea level, which often meets other tracks that connect the villages by the sea with villages inland.
For those who prefer seeking other evocative surroundings can leave route n° 1 at Campiglia, and follow an ancient horizontal path, closer to sea level where you can find the so called "cellars".
These are the villages of Schiara, Monasteroli and Fossola di Tramonti, and from here steep steps lead to the sea, exploring wild rocky cliffs and small sandy beaches.
Close to the sea the excursionist has often the chance of finding spring water, in Monasteroli there is a spring where water falls from the bare rock into the sea.

• Pros:u can walk the 5 villages in a day, don't be lazy
• Cons:expensive
• In a nutshell:very romantic