Cinque Terre Hikes Weekend Adventure

Your three-night hiking break along the Riviera Cinque Terre offers a perfect mix of breath-taking landscapes, charming villages, and rewarding trails. Soak up the views and succumb to the seductive landscape. With terraced cliff sides for cultivating olives and growing vines, this is the stuff that Italy is famous for.

Using the local, scenic trainline that runs the length of the coast, you start your adventure by the sandy beaches of Monterosso al Mare. Then hike to Manarola on a coastal trail that winds through lush vineyards and olive groves, passing down and back up the rugged coastline through Vernazza and Corniglia. Each village has its own unique charm: Vernazza’s picturesque harbour and Corniglia’s hilltop tranquillity are highlights along the way. As you descend into Manarola, the sight of its iconic pastel-coloured houses clinging to the cliffs is unforgettable. Your well-earned gelato or cold refreshing drink on the waterfront will be equally memorable.

Next morning, pick up the trail and continue from Manarola to Portovenere. This longer, more challenging route will take you through Riomaggiore, the final Cinque Terre village, before heading into more remote and rugged terrain. Along the Sentiero Rosso (Red Trail), which steps in and out of forests and across high ridges, you'll discover panoramic views of the Ligurian Sea and the coastline. Your final descent into historic Portovenere, with its medieval castle and colourful waterfront houses, is a rewarding end to the hike. Relax with an aperitivo by the harbour and take in the stunning views of Palmaria Island.