We start the adventure with a train from Monterosso to La Spezia, followed by a short private transfer to Porto Venere—a picturesque seaside town where we take a brief sightseeing walk before lacing up for the trail. From here, we begin our hike, ascending gradually as the shimmering Ligurian Sea stretches out below us. The climb is steady rather than strenuous, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the views, pause for photos, and take in the coastal landscape. From the high points of the trail, we descend toward Riomaggiore, where colorful houses tumble down toward the water and our first hiking day comes to a satisfying close.

Hiking: 14 km (8.7 mi)
Elevation gain/loss: +/-700 m (2,300 ft)
Accommodation: 3-star hotel, B&B, or private apartment

We thread the five villages of the Cinque Terre one by one today. Leaving Riomaggiore, we climb stone steps through terraced vineyards with sea glimpses, then descend into the pastel cluster of Manarola for a short harbor-view pause. The path rises and curves above the coast toward Corniglia, perched atop a cliff, where narrow lanes and lemon-scented air invite a longer break. From Corniglia we drop into Vernazza—an iconic seaside hamlet with a tiny beach and a bustling square, perfect for lunch. A final stretch of cliffside paths and shaded switchbacks brings us into Monterosso al Mare, where broader sands, cafés, and Mediterranean light mark the end of the day.

Hiking: 15 km (9.3 mi)
Elevation gain/loss: +/-900 m (2,953 ft)
Accommodation: 3-star hotel, B&B, or private apartment

Leaving Monterosso’s wide beach behind, we wind past coastal cliffs where waves crash against hidden coves and climb through Mediterranean scrub and olive terraces, the path offering panoramic sea views and occasional glimpses of rocky bays. After a steady ascent and some shaded stretches, the trail levels through stone walls and scented herbs before a gentle descent toward Levanto’s outskirts. We skirt quiet lanes and pine groves, then follow the shoreline through promontories and tiny beaches. Approaching Bonassola, we cross a final stretch of coastal path and tunnels carved into rock, emerging into the village’s pebbled bay and tranquil piazza as the sea’s hush marks the end of the day.

Hiking: 10 km (6.2 mi)
Elevation gain/loss: +/-600 m (1,969 ft)
Accommodation: 3-star hotel, B&B, or private apartment

We leave Bonassola’s pebble bay and climb along fragrant scrub and umbrella pines, the path alternating sunlit ridges with cool, shaded descents—sweeping sea panoramas, secluded coves, and terraced olive groves in between. We pass small hamlets and farming plots, cross stone bridges and short tunneled sections, and feel the rhythm of waves below as the trail undulates. Approaching Framura, narrow lanes lead us through cluster settlements perched above cliffs, with glimpses of colorful houses tumbling toward the water. The final kilometers follow a combination of coastal trail and easy road access, descending to Deiva Marina’s long beach and compact center.

Hiking: 11 km (6.8 mi)
Elevation gain/loss: +/-700 m (2,300 ft)
Accommodation: 3-star hotel, B&B, or private apartment

We begin from Deiva’s long beach before climbing through olive groves and pine-scented maquis, the trail alternating coastal panoramas with sheltered descents past rocky headlands, small coves, and occasional farmsteads. Mediterranean scrub and terraced vines frame the sea below as we move through short shaded sections, skirt quiet villages and lanes, and enjoy widening views as the coastline curves. Approaching Sestri Levante—a charming town set between two bays, the Bay of Silence and the Bay of Fables—the path opens up and we descend toward sandy shores and a lively beachfront promenade, arriving into the old town where narrow streets and cafés provide a warm welcome after a long day.

Hiking: 20 km (12.4 mi)
Elevation gain/loss: +/-1,000 m (3,281 ft)
Accommodation: 3-star hotel, B&B, or private apartment

Leaving Sestri’s twin bays, we thread seaside promenades, rocky headlands, and stretches of sandy shore, the route moving between low cliffs topped with villas and wooded pockets of pine and eucalyptus with frequent sea views and glimpses of fishing boats. We pass small beaches, beach clubs, and hamlets where narrow lanes lead down to the water, and cross short tunnels where the road hugs the coast. Approaching Chiavari, the terrain flattens, and the long sandy waterfront gives way to a historic center of arcaded streets, pastel buildings, and a lively market—arriving feels like stepping from coastal calm into town bustle.

Hiking: 10 km (6.2 mi)
Elevation gain/loss: +/-300 m (984 ft)
Accommodation: 3-star hotel, B&B, or private apartment

We leave Chiavari’s arcaded streets and market bustle for a coastline of promenades, low cliffs, and sheltered coves. The path alternates easy seaside walking with short rises through pine-dotted terraces and villa-lined outlooks, with constant views of the shimmering Gulf of Tigullio. Small beaches and fishermen’s jetties punctuate the route, and occasional tunnels take us beneath the coastal road. As we draw near Rapallo, the landscape becomes more genteel—marinas, palm-lined promenades, elegant hotels—until we enter Rapallo’s lively seafront and historic center, where trains connect onward to your next destination.

Hiking: 12 km (7.5 mi)
Elevation gain/loss: +/-400 m (1,312 ft)
Meals: Breakfast