Three days of hiking in Cinque Terre fly away in a whisker and you will surely leave wishing to come back as soon as possible to walk along other paths you will have to give up the first time.
Three days to hike and discover the Cinque Terre are barely enough, but still a good option to start and this article, considering Riomaggiore as a starting point for the itineraries, is a simple proposal for a program allowing you to visit the five villages and go through some of the most beautiful paths in our area, knowing that there are many other options!
First day
On the first day, you could start with the now-classic path, the SVA path that connects Corniglia to Monterosso: following a rich breakfast in the morning, take the train to Corniglia, to immediately start with a healthy hike overlooking the sea.
The first portion of the trail, up to Vernazza, will take about 90 minutes, walking quietly and enjoying the panorama and the always different points of view. Upon arrival, take some time to visit the village and maybe treat yourself to a light lunch in the square and a break on the rocks before leaving.
The second section up to Monterosso is a little more demanding but equally spectacular: about 2 hours walking reaching 217 meters above the sea level. The landscape is a postcard and we recommend you enjoy it, walking peacefully.
Upon arrival, take your time to visit Monterosso and treat yourself to some time on the beautiful sandy beach before getting back by train, in time for an aperitif with local products and wine, and a typical seafood dinner.
* on your first day you’ll need to get a one day Cinque Terre Card MS Train.
Second day
On the second day, we suggest you hike the Riomaggiore-Corniglia section. A decidedly more vertical itinerary, but wonderful and characterized by vineyards and terraces.
Let’s start with the Via Beccara, recently restored and reopened to the public: about an hour’s hike on a vertical trail, or rather steps, through the vineyards and with breathtaking views. After visiting Manarola, you can leave for the enchanting Volastra. Another vertical climb through the vineyards before a well-deserved lunch break.
From there, the path to Corniglia starts from the square of the Madonna della Salute church, one of the shrines of Cinque Terre. Just over an hour among vineyards overlooking the sea, alternating with pine woods, to end with a splendid panorama from above on Corniglia, which this time you can visit taking as much time as you need.
Once back, before dinner, you could treat yourself to a visit to a vineyard with wine tasting in the cellar.
Third day
On your last day, we recommend a slightly less hiked trail, but an absolutely fabulous one: four half hours walking from Riomaggiore to Porto Venere, passing from the Montenero shrine and the mythical Monesteroli, with its dizzying and endless stone staircase.
The path arrives downtown Porto Venere, a small pearl in the Gulf of Poets where you can spend a few hours after a seafood lunch on the waterfront. We definitely recommend getting back by boat, in time to enjoy the last evening in Cinque Terre.
