We were there in the mid of February, and happily the days were sunny. Staying in Sestri Levante, and used local trains to visit in Cinque Terre villages. This was our 4th visit in the area, and we have walked most of the coast trails earlier. Now of course most of the popular trails were closed, but we walked from Riomaggiore to Manarola, up-and down-trail, which is about half-an-hour longer route than the closed coastal trail. It takes about one hour from us, but the path is only for those who are in quite good shape. Beginning of the trail was quite hard to climb up, but the trail was anyway in very good condition. Little bit hard to find, local people helped us to find the beginning of the path.Manarola was very quiet in February, we even did not find the open bar for the cup of coffee...So we then took a train to Vernazza, eated there (we found only one open restaurant there but the food was good) and after that took the trail to Monterosso. I have walked the same trail to other direction earlier, and this way was easier. About after 2 hours we were in Monterosso. The trailwas quite easy to walk, and in good condition.So it depends lot of the weather, is the hiking in the winter time good idea or not. The villages are very quiet and not so charming in winter time (everything is very closed) but the trails could be nice to hike even at that time if the weather is just good. We have +16 C and very sunny in mid-Feb 2015. Earlier years we have been in Apr, Sep and Oct in this area, mostly doing hiking.
We took the trail from Monterosso to Vernazza and it was hard...for me at least. I'm pretty out of shape but it seemed like for 3/4 of the trail it was uphill! I was huffing and puffing away but what kept me going was the constant gorgeous views! We had to pay to go on the trail, which I thought was a little pricey but definitely worth it. It was insane once you round a corner and see the next city below with the colorful buildings, soooo pretty! It took us a while to get to Vernazza because we made a ton of stops to take photos and to eat the sandwiches that we bought in Monterosso. Everyone needs to visit here at least once in their life!
I walked east from the end section at Monterroso usually regarded as the hardest. It is a little challenging but anyone with average fitness can achieve it. I caught the train to my starting point then paid the national park fee at a small ticket booth and began my walk back. The first half is a mostly step ascent but with a marked trail and cut steps. The views back to Monterosa then forward on the descent to Venazza are spectacular. The walk for me took 3 hours, time very well spent.
We stayed in Montorroso al Mare, one the 5 hill towns in the Cinque Terra. I loved the area with its quaint restaurants, coffee shops, and working class atmosphere. I could have down without so many college students, but we had a great time swimming in the Med and walking from town to town. It is definitely a place to visit, if you like to hike. Some of the trails are a little dicey, so what good boot and use hiking poles.
I took a day trip with Walkabout Florence to Cinque Terre in September 2013. The whole place was so cinematic with beautiful, vibrant color painted houses & reserved natural landscape. The whole 1.5 hour walk to the last stop was definitely one of the most fascinating moments of my life so far. I've never seen the Mediterranean ocean so vast and blue. I didn't get a chance to enjoy the sunset on the Canal of Lovers, but I did sip a white wine glass on the rock in middle of the mountain. The view was so amazing I got lost for words...If I come back I'd definitely plan an overnight trip to fully enjoy this beautiful land.
The walks on the Cinque Terre vary from easy to hard. Hard is not technically difficult but will be steep long hot and humid. All the walks are worthwhile with amazing views and wonderful towns. Be aware the easiest walks may not be available seasonally due to seemingly regular landslides.
We took a day trip from Florence to hike Cinque Terre, it is the most beautiful hike I have ever been on. The colours of the villages with the greenery and the blue ocean is a image I will never forget. We did this trail in simple Tom's and Keds. Many reviews tell you to wear hiking boots or good runners but we did just fine in our shoes. Definitely don't wear flip flops!! Take water with you, but don't pack a ton of food, take the chance to stop in one of the little villages, it's wonderful. The hike is easy to moderate, if you have decent footwear and a day in the area try to hike as much of the trail as you can, then just train out from wherever you end.
We did this trail in October 2013. We stayed at Monterosso and set out from here. At this time, the trail was still closed from Corniglia to Rio Maggiore. You need a certain amount of fitness to do this walk as it is very hilly with long climbs up hill and steep climbs down. In addition, the humidity makes the dirt trail damp and slippery. The path is narrow and there are parts where there are no protective rails, a number of people falling and breaking limbs if not taking great care. We set out on a day when rain was predicted so we took waterproof jackets but the humidity made them cumbersome to carry as it was too hot to wear them. It was difficult once having climbed the paved trail out of Monterosso to find where the trail went as this was not very clear. Several of us followed what we thought were the blue indicators and ended up in someone's field so had to turn around and find the route where other walkers had gone. It was a long hard climb upwards and along the coast but the views were spectacular particularly as we approached Vernazza. This is such a pretty town and we stopped for a drink and snack before making our climb out of this town and ontowards Corniglia which is situated on a hilltop. This is a long steep climb and slippery in parts particularly as you descend into the town - watch the wooden boards lodged into the soil in parts of the track as they get very slippery. We took the train from Corniglia to Manarola and then another train to Rio Maggiore to visit these towns. If setting out on the trail, and walking between the 5 towns, we suggest you leave about 8am to ensure plenty of time to walk and stop to see the sights.
What an amazing place! It is so beautiful!Bring good shoes and a camera, and you will have a day you will remember forever!My girlfriend and I took the hike from Monterosso to Vernazza, and from Vernazza to Corniglia, and it was breathtaking. The hike goes up in the hills with an amazing view and nature surrounding you! We stopped for a bath in Vernazza on our way, which was really refreshing on the hot summer day.Unfortunately, the blue trail, which we followed, was closed between Corniglia and the last two towns, so we had to take the train to visit these. I really hope I will return one day, to experience the last part of the hike!It has to be one of the best days of my life, and I will remember it forever!
It was a great sight to see how the old heritage had been preserved in these five little villages. It takes quite some walks up two or three of them but the view is breathtakingly beautiful.