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Hiking the Cinque Terre Trail, Italy
Published by Camilla Cheung, Writer
Country: Italy 
The Experience
In the rugged mountainous coastline of Cinque Terre National Park, we gazed down at the impossibly vibrant colours of a gem-like town perched on a cliff. Our Cinque Terre hike had brought us through five of these jewel-tinted towns, countless delightful swimming spots, hillsides planted with olive groves, and walkways overlooking the ocean.
Cinque Terre National Park is located on a rugged area of coastline on the Italian Riviera. The five villages in the Park: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore—are charming historic towns where time seems to have stood still. Vendors hawk fresh produce in the narrow winding streets, and tourists can wander at will through the village shops, pausing to sample the delicious local fare, or cooling off in the sunlit waters at the beach. The craggy hillsides surrounding the Cinque Terre villages are extensively terraced for the cultivation of grapes and olives, an industry that has occupied the locals for hundreds of years.
A walking trail connects the five villages, and is included in the entrance fee to Cinque Terre National Park. The Cinque Terre trail ranges from easy (the “Lover’s Walk” section between Riomaggiore and Manarola is a stroll on a paved walkway looking out over the ocean) to strenuous (some sections of the trail are poorly paved and require climbing hundreds of steps). Nevertheless, the experience of being immersed in the countryside, as well as the spectacular views of the Italian coastline, makes even the difficult sections of hiking Cinque Terre completely worthwhile. As the Cinque Terre trail connects the five villages, hikers can stop in each village to rest, see the historic sights, and refresh themselves with a gelato or a lemon granita (a local specialty).
Travellers in Italy looking to try hiking in Cinque Terre National Park can reach it from the cities of La Spezia or Genoa. From there, travellers to Cinque Terre can buy the entrance ticket to the Park, which includes the train fare between the five villages. Inns and hotels abound in each town, though budget-minded tourists may prefer to stay outside of Cinque Terre proper, in one of the neighbouring villages.
Cinque Terre National Park is located on a rugged area of coastline on the Italian Riviera. The five villages in the Park: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore—are charming historic towns where time seems to have stood still. Vendors hawk fresh produce in the narrow winding streets, and tourists can wander at will through the village shops, pausing to sample the delicious local fare, or cooling off in the sunlit waters at the beach. The craggy hillsides surrounding the Cinque Terre villages are extensively terraced for the cultivation of grapes and olives, an industry that has occupied the locals for hundreds of years.
A walking trail connects the five villages, and is included in the entrance fee to Cinque Terre National Park. The Cinque Terre trail ranges from easy (the “Lover’s Walk” section between Riomaggiore and Manarola is a stroll on a paved walkway looking out over the ocean) to strenuous (some sections of the trail are poorly paved and require climbing hundreds of steps). Nevertheless, the experience of being immersed in the countryside, as well as the spectacular views of the Italian coastline, makes even the difficult sections of hiking Cinque Terre completely worthwhile. As the Cinque Terre trail connects the five villages, hikers can stop in each village to rest, see the historic sights, and refresh themselves with a gelato or a lemon granita (a local specialty).
Travellers in Italy looking to try hiking in Cinque Terre National Park can reach it from the cities of La Spezia or Genoa. From there, travellers to Cinque Terre can buy the entrance ticket to the Park, which includes the train fare between the five villages. Inns and hotels abound in each town, though budget-minded tourists may prefer to stay outside of Cinque Terre proper, in one of the neighbouring villages.
When to Go to Hiking Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is not the best place in Italy to visit the beach—the coastline is rugged and many beaches are rocky. However, Cinque Terre National Park compensates for the lack of beaches with crystal-clear turquoise waters that just hit the spot after a sweaty hike. Remember to bring a bottle of water with you if you attempt hiking Cinque Terre. You can refill it at various fountains on the trail.
Odds n' Ends
Although souvenir shops are outrageously overpriced in Cinque Terre, you will want to sample some local specialties. Focaccia bread is a popular staple, and trofie (a rustic pasta special to the region) is often served with pesto. Farinata (thin pancake-like bread made with chickpea flour) is also a local specialty. Olives and wine are, of course, locally cultivated; and lemons are also produced in the area, making the sweet lemon liqueur: limoncello—a popular souvenir.
Places to Stay Nearby
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Located in Corniglia, the Affittacamere La Torre is a perfect base while in La Spezia. Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre is within easy driving distance ... 0 miles away
$60 EUR+
Located in Corniglia, the Locanda La Lanterna is a perfect base while in Vernazza. Vernazza town centre is within an easy 10 minute drive from ... 0 miles away
$80 EUR+
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Media References
- A Walk in the Cinque Terre - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
- 36 Hours in the Cinque Terre, Italy - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
- Top Ten Walks & Hiking Tours - NationalGegraphic.com (magazine)
- On the Edge of a Time Gone By - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
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