Urban-oriented hikers, look no further! This guided seven-day adventure is the best way to discover one of the most impressive regions in Italy—the breathtaking coastline, villages, and hillsides of the Cinque Terre. Join a local guide and like-minded adventurers on a life-changing hike through scenic forests and vineyards, while basking in the spectacular views of the Mediterranean.
Today is all about arriving in Cinque Terre. Once you reach Riomaggiore, you’ll meet your hiking guide, who will take you to your accommodation for the week. The rest of the day is yours to explore this vibrant village! Stroll through its narrow streets, which often lead to stunning views of the sea or nearby vineyards. Take some time to relax, soak up the local atmosphere, or go for a swim in the sea.
Accommodation: Hotel in Riomaggiore
In 2024, the Via dell’Amore path was reopened between Riomaggiore and Manarola, and this is a must-do of Cinque Terre! We’ll visit the village of Manarola and walk to the Punta Bonfiglio viewpoint. We’ll then continue along the Manarolino path through terraces and vineyards to the Church of San Lorenzo, the heart of Manarola. From here, you can either hike or take a bus to Volastra, an ancient settlement perched halfway up the coast.
Here in Volastra, “the village of olive trees”, is where we’ll discover an open-air wine museum at Capellini Winery, and we’ll also enjoy a wine tasting of local vines with fabulous views! We’ll then get on the Verde-Azzurro path to Corniglia, the most impregnable and authentic of the Cinque Terre villages. Explore the village and its stunning panoramic terraces, and descend the Lardarina, the long staircase that serves as a symbol of the village, leading back to the station. We’ll return to the hotel by train.
Meals: Breakfast and packed lunch
Hiking: 8 km (5 miles)
Elevation: +/-500 m (1,640 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel in Riomaggiore
Today, we’ll go for a fun boat journey to Porto Venere (if not possible, we’ll take the train or bus). Porto Venere is a charming and lively village with a striking fortress overlooking the sea and nearby islands. From here, the guide will lead us on a hike high above the village, offering excellent sea views, before returning to Riomaggiore. This is a fantastic hiking route that captures the essence of the Cinque Terre!
Please note that this is the most challenging itinerary. Depending on the group’s abilities, the guide may adjust the plan to include a tour of Porto Venere and Palmaria Island instead.
Meals: Breakfast and packed lunch
Hiking: 13.5 km (8.4 miles)
Elevation: +670 m (2,200 ft), -600 m (1,970 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel in Riomaggiore
Let’s transfer by train to Vernazza, where we’ll do a short tour of its most iconic landmarks, including the Church of Santa Margherita, the Bastion of Belforte, and the Marina. From there, we’ll continue to Monterosso via a scenic path, stopping at a stunning viewpoint for a special cooking class! Here, we’ll learn to prepare delicious gnocchi or testaroli topped with Ligurian pesto, accompanied by a wine and local food tasting.
After enjoying the meal we’ve just prepared, we’ll stroll through Monterosso’s beach and marina, explore the old town, and walk through Buranco Valley to the hill of San Cristoforo and its castle overlooking the Quinta Terra. The day wraps up with some relaxing time on the beautiful beach of Fegina before we return to the accommodation by train.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Hiking: 4 km (2.5 miles)
Elevation: +/-200 m (660 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel in Riomaggiore
We’ll board the train to La Spezia for a morning visit to the bustling covered market. From there, we’ll travel by bus to San Terenzo and enjoy a scenic walk along the promenade to the charming village of Lerici, dominated by its impressive castle. After exploring Lerici, we’ll head into the hills of the Regional Park of Monte Marcello-Magra, passing through the village of La Serra and crossing ancient coastal terraces of vineyards and olive groves to discover abandoned settlements.
The day concludes in Tellaro, the final Ligurian gem near the border with Tuscany. Here, we’ll take some time to relax and, weather permitting, enjoy a swim or a kayak adventure in the bays of Fiascherino. We’ll return to La Spezia by bus and then by train to our accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast and packed lunch
Hiking: 8.5 km (5.3 miles)
Elevation: +/-350 m (1,150 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel in Riomaggiore
We’ll travel to Framura by train to explore the Via del Mare, a scenic path that first leads to Framura’s beautiful beaches before climbing to three of Italy’s most picturesque villages: Anzo, Setta, and Costa. Each village is marked by a historic watchtower and unique stories to uncover. We’ll follow a coastal trail offering incredible viewpoints, including the Salto della Lepre, a natural terrace between Framura and Bonassola. From there, we’ll visit the Madonnina della Punta, a small church perched on the cape of Bonassola, and begin exploring the breathtaking bay and colorful village of Bonassola.
After lunch, we’ll walk along the old railway route, now a charming cycle path connecting Levanto, Bonassola, and Framura. The day concludes with an exploration of Levanto’s historic center, uncovering its secrets tied to the ancient Via dei Monti, a medieval route linked to Tuscany. Return to the accommodation by train and get a well deserved rest, this is the final night!
Meals: Breakfast and packed lunch
Hiking: 13 km (8 miles)
Elevation: +/-400 m (1,315 ft)
Accommodation: Hotel in Riomaggiore
After breakfast, pack up and say goodbye to the team. If you’d like to prolong your journey, just ask your guide for some recommendations!
Meals: Breakfast
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Add-ons:
Not included:
This trip is suitable for most classic hikers with a moderate level of fitness. The daily walks are not long, with hiking distances generally ranging from about 2.5 to 8.5 miles (4–13.5 km) and manageable elevation changes. You’ll be walking around 5 hours a day.
Overall, it is a pretty easy itinerary, and the main challenge comes from a few short, steep sections typical of coastal paths in Cinque Terre. Over the years, these steeper parts have been reduced as much as possible, making this a very accessible route for anyone used to regular walking or light hiking.
There are many alternative paths in the area, and the guide is highly flexible, adapting each day to the level of the group. Because you stay every night in La Spezia, guests are free to skip an entire day if they wish. Once a walk has started, steeper sections cannot be bypassed, but overall the level remains very manageable.
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Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans. You will stay in the same village for the whole week, so you only need to carry a daypack with you for the walks.
Group sizes and pricing
Cinque Terre hiking adventures can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The price for this Cinque Terre hiking tour is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.
The starting point of your Cinque Terre hiking tour is La Spezia, a city right on the border of Liguria and Tuscany. To get there, most people fly into Pisa International Airport (PSA). From there, you can take a shuttle service, a train, or a bus to reach La Spezia—it takes 1 to 2 hours, depending on your chosen transport.
You will meet your guide in La Spezia on Day 1. Arrival day is all about settling into your hotel and discovering this vibrant town, preparing for the journey ahead.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.