3. Blue Trail, Italy

Cinque Terre is a series of five colorful fishing villages perched on the cliffs above the Ligurian Sea in Italy. Most of the hikes here are relatively easy and can be done in a day, the Blue Trail (Sentiero Azzurro) being no exception. This 12-kilometer (7.5 miles) point-to-point path connects all five communities into possibly the brightest jewel of Mediterranean hiking.

The Blue Trail takes 2-4 hours to complete, but we encourage you to take your time and give ample attention to each village, paying visits to local shops and restaurants to sample the delicious seafood and wine the region is known for. There are also plenty of rest stops and scenic viewpoints along the way.

Because of the Mediterranean climate, the trail is open year-round, but some sections may be closed due to landslides or other natural hazards, so it’s important to check the conditions before starting your hike.

About the author

Marko Bucic

57hours Writer and Bouldering Enthusiast

For Marko, literature came first and the outdoors followed. Lermontov took him galloping across the Caucasus, Wordsworth brought him along for a tour of the Lake District, and Conrad sent him sailing down the Congo—but for better or worse, it was 57hours that got him to climb his first route outside. When he’s not penning articles, you can find him in the bouldering gym, taking photos on the streets of Zagreb, or at home brushing up on his Japanese skills.