Category: Ligurian Coast - Cinque Terre

By train: Almost every town on the Ligurian coast is accessible by train, including every single one of the Cinque Terre. Therefore, the ideal way to reach the starting point of the long-distance hike in Camogli is by train. The official name of the train station there is "Camogli-S. Fruttuoso." Depending on your departure point, the journey usually involves a transfer in Genoa (35 minutes away). By plane (and then by train): The nearest airport is also located in Genoa....

The route information for the long-distance hike along the Ligurian Coast and the Cinque Terre is available as a free download in GPX format. A PDF hiking map for self-printing in A4 format is also available:...

Hikers on the coastal section between Monterosso al Mare and Riomaggiore require an entry ticket – the so-called "Cinque Terre Card." This is available in two versions: Cinque Terre Treno Card: Hiking + train rides between the five villages – price for adults: €16,00 per day (as of 2021) Cinque Terre Trekking Card: Hiking (without train ride) – price for adults: €7,50 per day (as of 2021) For our long-distance hike, a "Trekking Card" is required on Stage 5; the "Treno Card" is primarily aimed at day trippers. The...

Distance: 14,6km Ascent/Descent: 1050m/1050m Duration: 07:30h Elevation chart: see map (click on the button below right) The first stage of the long-distance hike leads from Camogli right through the Portofino Regional Park to the former fishing village of Portofino. Along the way, there's the option to descend to the San Fruttuoso monastery complex, located in a bay on the Portofino peninsula and accessible only by boat or hiking trail. With careful planning, stage 1 is an excellent warm-up: if you're spending two consecutive nights in...

For the long-distance hike along the Ligurian coast, I based myself on the official "Sentiero Liguria" and selected the most beautiful stages around the Cinque Terre. I also wanted to include the Portofino peninsula (stage 1) in the long-distance hike. The result is a very varied long-distance hike that gets more challenging each day. The gap between stages 1 and 2 is bridged by a short train ride. This avoids the rather densely built-up coast between Rapallo and Sestri Levante....

Distance: 15,7km, Ascent/Descent: 840m/840m, Duration: 06:30h, Elevation chart: see map (click on the button below right). The second stage of the long-distance hike leads from Sestri Levante via Riva Trigoso to Moneglia. Those who stayed overnight in Camogli after Stage 1 can easily take the regional train to Sestri Levante in the morning (approx. 30-40 minutes). It's worth considering not starting too early in Sestri Levante if you want to plan a lunch break at a restaurant for today. The small...

Distance: 16,9km, ascent/descent: 1000m/1000m, duration: 07:30h, elevation chart: see map (click on the button below right). The third stage leads from Mongelia via Devia Marina and Framura to Bonassola and, along with stage 1, is the most strenuous stage of the long-distance hike, with approximately 1.000 meters of ascent and descent. In case of emergency, there are two shortcuts from Framura to Bonassola: Trains depart from the train station opposite the small harbor basin, and a pedestrian tunnel leads to Bonassola at ground level (approx. 2,5 km long). It...

Distance: 11,0km Ascent/Descent: 600m/600m Duration: 05:00h Elevation chart: see map (click on the button below right) Stage 4 finally leads to the famous Cinque Terre – specifically to "Monterosso al Mare," the first or last of the five world-famous villages, depending on your perspective. First, however, our hiking trail leads from Bonassola over a mountain ridge to Levanto. It's a good idea to stock up on provisions here, as there are no other places to stop along the way. Shortly before the end of Levanto's waterfront promenade, the...

Distance: 14,1km, Ascent/Descent: 850m/850m, Duration: 07:15h, Elevation chart: see map (click on the button below right). Today's stage passes all five villages of the Cinque Terre: from Monterosso al Mare via Vernazza, Corniglia, and Manarola to Riomaggiore. Stage 5 is the hiking route par excellence for all Cinque Terre travelers, so expect plenty of crowds and don't be disappointed if there are crowds at the particularly photogenic viewpoints. Also important: The Cinque Terre Trekking Card is required for this hike. To avoid unnecessary...

Distance: 13,1km, Ascent/Descent: 700m/700m, Duration: 06:30h, Elevation chart: see map (click on the button below right). The sixth and final stage is my personal highlight of this long-distance hike: After a strenuous climb, you've left the rather touristy hustle and bustle of Riomaggiore and the Cinque Terre behind and can once again enjoy the scenery in peace and quiet. After a lunch break at the forest kiosk (waypoint 4) or in Campiglia (waypoints 6 and 7), the second half of the hike is a relaxed descent with...