From the moment of arrival in Cinque Terre, hikers, wanderers, explorers, and travelers alike will find these cozy seaside villages tucked into the hills both serene and refreshing. There are hostels, cafes, restaurants, and shops at each of the five villages. In between are the hiking trails for which Cinque Terre is famed, and from where the attraction to visit these lovely coastal villages is drawn.
Arriving in Cinque Terre
Even in April, nights are warm. Walking from the train station in Manarola, down a long road that tunnels under a hill, and then steadily climbing up and around this hill is a welcome preparation of events to come – calves and thighs will surely be worked.
The walk towards the Hostel Cinque Terre is a steady climb, but the path is paved, and the gift-box housing aligning the roads are a delightful distraction from the summit. There is no traffic here, as the only method of transportation is the train half a mile back, and human feet. No commotion or horns, just the sea, the chatter of villagers, and tolls of village bells.
Scenic Scenery of Cinque Terre
A perk of staying in Manarola is that it’s within the cluster of Cinque Terre villages– either the fourth or the second, depending on from where you start. Olive groves and vineyards plot the hillside, zig-zagged with hiking trails. Some paths are steep; others are narrow, crumbly, and sometimes non-existent. Clusters of blooming wild garlic border the dirt trails, against a backdrop of stunning views of the shimmery blue Ligurian Sea.
The actual touristy part of the trails traverse North from Riomaggiore, through Manarola, Corniglia, Venezza, and finally end at Monterosso al Mare. The hills are rugged, but hikers can hardly complain, as locals are accustomed to carrying heavy loads of food and supplies up and down these same paths daily.
At the north end of Monterosso are the crumbling remains of Il Giganto, valiantly holds up an overhanging cliff. Il Giganto strikes as somewhat of a sad figure, alone at the furthest point of the Cinque Terre Park. There is very little tourist attention given to him, and it’s only the less weary hikers that reach his gigantic worn feet at the end of a day’s hiking.
Hiking in Cinque Terre
The trails between each of the five villages of Cinque Terre are not far, and one can stop for a refresher at each village. Hikers will find hot pizza or cold beer a good way to refuel while taking in the sea views and breathing in the salty air. Pizza can be found sold by the slice, and beer by the pint.
The hiking distance between each village ranges from 1km to 4km, and takes 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on each walker’s pace, or ambling time, or a few minutes snagged to climb through the decrepit ruins of an 11th Century lookout tower. Visitors should definitely aim to get the most out of their European vacation. The final 3 km are the most strenuous, but rates only medium in difficulty.
Cafes and Shopping in Between the Villages of Cinque Terre
Apart from the mesmerizing backdrop of a blueberry sea and a landscape decked with vineyards, the villages of Cinque Terre pocket charming markets and cafes. Hot coffee, warm cakes, cheesy slices of fresh baked pizza, and cold drinks are all on offer. These cafes are often small, accommodating only a handful of customers at one time. Gabriel's is a tourist-friendly wine bar in Manarola that is a favorite among locals, offering wine from the family vineyard and live guitar entertainment in the evenings.
Narrow alleys are filled with shops selling handmade bags and crafts, wine and limoncella (an Italian specialty), and baked goods. While some shops are very touristy and sell the typical tourist souvenirs, others sell homemade crafts that are unique and native to Cinque Terre, and may be of greater interest to travelers.
Cinque Terre Retreat
Hiking through Cinque Terre offers travelers a glimpse into the life of seaside villages in Italy. It is this hiking vacation that offers travelers a more cultural experience. The lack of modern development is appealing to visitors. While major cities of Europe, and the hustle and bustle of modern life is only a train ride away, the scenic and fragrant landscape make urban living easily and happily forgotten for awhile.
Christy Nichols - Originally I am from Nashville, but the drawl has been mostly lost, and I prefer the beach life anyway. Last summer I moved back to the US ...
