Walking in Cinque Terre - Sunflower Books

Discover the coastal charms of Cinque Terre and the Riviera di Levante

The stunning region of Cinque Terre and the Riviera di Levante is nestled on the Italian coast between Genoa and Pisa.

It offers a captivating blend of breathtaking coastal scenery, historic towns and delicious cuisine. Our guidebook to walking in Cinque Terre and the Riviera di Levante is an ideal companion for those seeking a memorable walking experience.

Areas covered in our guide

• Cinque Terre
• La Spezia Bay
• The Little Cinque Terre
• The Tigullio Gulf
• The Portofino Peninsula
• Genoa

Below is a small selection of introductions to walks from the book.

Monterosso to Riomaggiore – Walk 1

This is the classic walk in the Cinque Terre National Park, connecting all five villages.

The route follows old coastal paths high above the sea, skirts the edge of steep slopes, crosses small terraces of olive groves and vineyards or runs through shady holm oak forests.

The views down to the blue sea and the villages with their yellow- and red-coloured houses clinging to each other are often breathtaking.

So it is with good reason that this walk from Monterosso to Riomaggiore has become the most popular walking route in all Italy.

From April to October there will be many, many walkers on the paths. So start very early to avoid the big crowds.

Tellaro to Lerici via Ameglia – Walk 10

To the southeast of La Spezia a small but striking mountain range, only 400 metres high, rises like a peninsula between the broad plain of the Magra River mouth and the Ligurian Sea.

This thinly populated coastal area has been part of the Parco Regionale di Montemarcello-Magra since 1995, so it’s protected from overdevelopment.

This walk through the nature reserve follows old cobbled paths and trails across hills covered with small gardens, olive groves and typical Mediterranean macchia.

All along the route you get extensive views across the Gulf of La Spezia and towards the steep marble cliffs of the Apuan Alps in Tuscany.

Lizza to Bonassola via Monte Rossola – Walk 12

On this long and varied walk you feel far away from the touristic coast. Following little-used paths and trails you soon forget the hustle and bustle of the nearby Cinque Terre.

The route starts from a wooded green valley a short way inland from Levanto, where colourful small villages dot the hillside.

A long initial climb takes you up onto barren Monte Rossola, a reddish-coloured isolated mountain rising more than 500 metres from the coast.

From here – but also from many other places along the walk – you enjoy superb views down to the blue sea. So walk on a clear day!

Belvedere di Pratosopralacroceto Gramizza – Walk 19

All the walks in this book have the high Apennines as a constant backdrop. Sometimes we look out to green, wooded slopes, at other times the landscape shows its brown and barren face.

In contrast to all the other walks in this book (which keep to the coast), this hike leads deep into the sparsely inhabited and seldom-visited hinterland, rising to a height of 1800 metres.

Walking through the unspoilt highlands of the Aveto Nature Reserve 40 kilometres north of Chiavari, you feel yourself far away from the Mediterranean warmth of the Ligurian coast.

As you make for Gramizza, you won’t pass a village or permanently inhabited house for several hours. There is plenty of variety, too: you’ll follow both shady forest trails and narrow paths across open grassy slopes, where on clear days you enjoy superb panoramic views. Because this walk lies between 800 and 1500 metres, it’s perfectly feasible in high summer.

But it’s only possible on workdays, as there are no buses to the starting point on Sundays.

San Lorenzo della Costa to Portofino – Walk 22

This easy and varied walk takes you across the beautiful Portofino Peninsula. It follows old mule trails and paved footpaths through farmland with lush gardens and Mediterranean forests.

There are many places with far-reaching views down to the sea. The walk ends at the highly fashionable small harbour town of Portofino, one of the most picturesque – but also most expensive – places in all of Italy.

Traso Alto to Recco – Walk 26

This long walk gives an impression of the contrasting aspects of the Riviera di Levante. It starts from the mountainous green hinterland behind Genoa, where you feel very far away indeed from the warmth of the Ligurian coast — although you’re only a few miles away in reality.

After passing through an abandoned hamlet, you climb onto pastoral grassland grazed by herds of horses and goats.

Many ruins, broken dry stone walls and shepherd’s huts remain from the days when this landscape was the basis for a simple, poor, farming and herding culture which only disappeared gradually during the last century.

From the high pastures you eventually return to the rich Mediterranean coastal scenery with its colourful hamlets and houses standing amidst sweet-scented pine forests and lovely olive groves.

The entire route offers fascinating panoramic views, from the deserted Apennine mountain ranges inland to the densely populated coast around the Gulf of Genoa.

For more than three hours you’re traversing open ridges between the Fontanabuona Valley and the sea at a height of 500 to 900 metres.

The best time for walking in Cinque Terre and the Riviera di Levante

The best time to visit Cinque Terre and the Riviera di Levante is during the shoulder seasons, spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October).

The weather is pleasant, the crowds are smaller, and the scenery is stunning. However, summer (June-August) can also be a great time to visit, especially if you enjoy swimming and sunbathing.

Getting around the region

Ferries are a popular way to travel between the coastal towns of the Riviera di Levante. They offer stunning views of the coastline and can be a relaxing way to travel.

Buses are a convenient and affordable way to get around the region. They connect the major towns and villages, making it easy to explore the area.

Renting a car can be a good option for those who want more flexibility and independence. However, driving on the winding coastal roads can be challenging, and parking can be difficult in popular tourist destinations.

Our guidebook to walking in Cinque Terre and the Riviera di Levante gives you all the information you need for a memorable adventure.