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Highlights
Discover Cinque Terre’s natural beauty on this week-long hiking pilgrimage
Trek over ancient footpaths connecting picturesque Italian villages in Cinque Terre National Park.
Explore the local culture and delicious food and wine as you visit the five famous villages of Cinque Terre on the Ligurian coast.
Bask in the breathtaking views as you hike beside the Mediterranean coast through vineyards, beaches, forests, and quaint villages.
Discover the culture and history of Cinque Terre then rest for the night in beautifully appointed boutique hotels.
Hike beside the Mediterranean through the Cinque Terre National Park and explore charming Italian villages steeped in history. Experience great food and wine at each stop as you travel the ancient winding footpaths connecting the famous five Cinque Terre villages on this seven-day hiking tour from Sestri Levante to Portovenere.
The self-guided nature of the Cinque Terre hiking tour allows you to explore each destination at your preferred pace. Really loving that view of the Ligurian Coast at the sanctuary above Monterosso? Relax there a bit longer before you move on.
At the end of each magical day of your hiking tour, you’ll experience the local culture as you stay in family-run hotels, ancient villas, or boutique guesthouses nestled into quaint villages and hamlets across Italy’s Cinque Terre National Park and Ligurian Coast. Meet fascinating local hosts and learn about the rich history of each locale you visit on your hiking tour.
You’ll sample the unique cuisine prepared by your Italian hosts with a breakfast and authentic dinner included each day especially for you. A life-changing journey awaits you on this 7-day Cinque Terre self-guided hiking tour. Don’t miss it!
Hike beside the Mediterranean through the Cinque Terre National Park and explore charming Italian villages steeped in history. Experience great food and wine at each stop as you travel the ancient winding footpaths connecting the famous five Cinque Terre villages on this seven-day hiking tour from Sestri Levante to Portovenere.
The self-guided nature of the Cinque Terre hiking tour allows you to explore each destination at your preferred pace. Really loving that view of the Ligurian Coast at the sanctuary above Monterosso? Relax there a bit longer before you move on.
At the end of each magical day of your hiking tour, you’ll experience the local culture as you stay in family-run hotels, ancient villas, or boutique guesthouses nestled into quaint villages and hamlets across Italy’s Cinque Terre National Park and Ligurian Coast. Meet fascinating local hosts and learn about the rich history of each locale you visit on your hiking tour.
You’ll sample the unique cuisine prepared by your Italian hosts with a breakfast and authentic dinner included each day especially for you. A life-changing journey awaits you on this 7-day Cinque Terre self-guided hiking tour. Don’t miss it!
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Cinque Terre Pilgrimage
Day 1 Arrive in Riva Trigoso
You’ll arrive by train in Riva Trigoso, a town next to Sestri Levante. After you arrive, you’ll check-in at your accommodation: Agriturismo La Pergola dei Paggi, the quaint farmhouse in Sestri Levante. Following check-in, you’ll receive a roadbook containing all the maps and information you’ll need for your self-guided hiking tour through Cinque Terre.
Overnight Location: Agriturismo La Pergola dei Paggi , Sestri Levante
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Hike to Moneglia
Wake up the next morning and breakfast in style at your hotel before beginning your hike towards the first destination: the charming seaside town of Moneglia. You’ll traverse little-used byways that lead to an old lookout point. Along the way you’ll pass through miles of delightful Mediterranean vegetation.
Overnight Location: Hotel Villa Argentina, Moneglia
Distance: 3 hours, 6.5 miles, 400 m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Journey to Bonassola
Start the next step of your hiking pilgrimage off right with a rich breakfast in your hotel. Eat well, as this will be a longer route than yesterday, and one of the longer days of the entire hiking tour. You’ll revel in the panoramic views on winding paths leading to picturesque villages. First, you’ll head to Deiva Marina, then on to Framura, and finally to Bonassola for the night. Since there are six hours of hiking, if you become too tired, you may catch a train from one of the other villages to reach Bonassola. When you do reach Bonassola, you’ll find simple but comfortable accommodations waiting for you, nestled in the village center.
Overnight Location: Hotel Pensione Moderna, Bonassola
Distance: 6 hours, 21 km, 1300 m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Wind your way to Monterosso
You’re warming up now! Start off the morning with another lovely breakfast before you begin your self-guided hiking adventure anew. This time you’re heading for Levanto, a little town you’ll reach either via a footpath littered with panoramic views, or if you prefer, take a shortcut through an ancient tunnel system. Once you reach the town, you can enjoy some lunch from a local cafe, or go for a swim on the nearby beach before resuming your journey. When you’re ready, you’ll head for Monterosso… hiking straight into the spectacular Cinque Terre National Park!
Overnight Location: Hotel Monterosso Alto, Monterosso
Distance: 5 hours, 20 km, 700 m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Hike to Volastra
After your lovely buffet breakfast, it’s time to get back to the action on your hiking tour! Today will take you over some difficult but terrifically scenic terrain. Follow the path as you wind your way up to an old sanctuary above Monterosso, and then as you progress, you’ll arrive at another ancient sanctuary above Vernazza. From there you’ll come down into one of the five famous villages of Cinque Terre, the village of Vernazza itself. After taking a lunch break in the village, your self-guided adventure begins again as you head for another village of Cinque Terre: Corniglia. From there, you’ll cross vineyards with stunning views and arrive at the small hamlet of Volastra, where you’ll stay at a lovely family-run hotel.
Overnight Location: Hotel Saraceno, Volastra
Distance: 6 hours, 19 km, 900 m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Descend to Portovenere and catch the ferry to La Spezia
Time to hit the road on the final leg of your hiking tour pilgrimage and head for Portovenere. On the way you’ll pass through the timeless sanctuary of Montenero where you’ll get scenic views sweeping over two more Cinque Terre villages: Manarola and Riomaggiore. The trail continues, crossing through vineyards and oak forests to a village called Campiglia. From Campiglia you can look out and see La Spezia and the large harbor to one side, while the open sea stretches away on the other. As you continue through more stunning vistas you’ll arrive at a steep descent which will bring you to your last stop: Portovenere! Enjoy exploring Portovenere and then later in the day you’ll ride a short ferry boat to La Spezia.
Overnight Location: Affittacamere Casa Danè, La Spezia
Distance: 5-6 hours, 20 km, 300 m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Finish in La Spezia
Enjoy one last breakfast on the Ligurian coast before you head off your own way. Congratulations! You completed your self-guided hiking pilgrimage! You have had an amazing experience and accomplished quite a feat at the same time. Come back again soon!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
2024 Departures The departures are available daily.
- Single room: from EUR1360*
- Sharing a double room: from EUR930*
Accommodation on Cinque Terre Pilgrimage
This tour is based in Hotels and boutique guesthouses.
Hotels on this trip are 2 and 3-star hotels and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant. Rooms may have fireplaces or access to amenities such as hot tubs, steam rooms, or private decks to lounge on. Rooms are double occupancy, and single travelers will pay a supplement.
In some cases, accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel (please check Dates and Prices to find the pricing).
What’s included in the Cinque Terre Pilgrimage?
Meals
6 breakfasts are included. You can also upgrade to Half Board to add dinners. These dinners would be in the guesthouse/hotel or in a typical restaurant. Usually there are three courses: a starter course, the main course, followed by dessert. Drinks are not included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 6 nights along the self-guided tour route.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for your luggage from one accommodation to the next is included, unless you have booked a tour without luggage transfer. There is a boat ride on the last day that will take you from Portovenere to La Spezia (also included).
Also Included
- Entrance fee for the Cinque Terre National Park
- Maps, roadbook and descriptions of each hike
- Emergency assistance by the phone during the office hours (until 6 pm)
Not included
- Lunches, dinners
- Tips
- Entrance fees (other than the Cinque Terre National Park)
- Accommodations before the tour begins in Sestri Levante and after the tour ends in Portovenere.
- All services not specifically mentioned under “included”
Optional Extras
- Upgrade to Half Board (add dinners)
- How difficult is the Cinque Terre Pilgrimage?
- What are the best times of year to explore Cinque Terre?
- What equipment should I bring?
- Do I need a Visa to travel to Italy?
- Are meals included?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Riva Trigoso to start this tour?
- Is the tour information (maps, descriptions, etc) in English?
- Where does the tour end?
- Do I need vaccines?
- Are there any travel restrictions for this country?
- When is the best time to travel to Italy for this tour?
We rate this tour difficulty as a 3 / 5. A minimum of 6.5 miles (10 km) and a maximum of 13 miles (21 km) will need to be covered each day. Most days are at least 12 miles (19 km). Should you get tired there are a couple of days that have shorter/alternate routes or where a train can be taken instead. Check your roadbook for specific details.
The climate is usually warm and dry and doesn’t rain often. Since there is a lot of hiking on this tour, you may prefer to avoid the warmer weather of summer and visit during the spring or fall since it doesn’t rain too often.
You will need good hiking footwear and comfortable clothing (preferably in layers so you can peel one off as you warm up). We also recommend a daypack, sunscreen, and a hat. Depending on the time of year, you may want a waterproof jacket/pants just in case.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
6 breakfasts are included. You can also upgrade to Half Board to add dinners. These dinners would be in the guesthouse/hotel or in a typical restaurant. Usually there are three courses: a starter course, the main course, followed by dessert. Drinks are not included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have Health and Medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.
Make your own way to Riva Trigoso via train.
Yes, the roadbook, maps, and descriptions are in English.
The tour ends in Portovenere where you will take a boat to La Spezia.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
Customer Ratings
Arbaspàa was formed in 2001, and headquartered in Manarola, with a second office in La Spezia. They are committed to providing guests with the best experience exploring the most incredible places in Liguaria.
