Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
By Shuttle Bus
Green shuttle buses connect each Cinque Terre town with its distant parking lot and various
pointsinthehills(forexample,ashuttlerunsfromCorniglia'strainstationtoitshilltoptown
center). Note that these shuttle buses do not connect the towns with each other. Most rides
cost €1.50 (and are covered by the Cinque Terre Park Card)—pick up bus schedules from
TIs or note the times posted on bus doors and at bus stops. Departures often coordinate with
trainarrivaltimes.Some(butnotall)departuresfromVernazza,Manarola,andRiomaggiore
go beyond the parking lots and high into the hills. To soak in the scenery, you can pay for a
round-trip ride and just cruise both ways (30-45 minutes round-trip). Be aware that cuts to
park funding may eliminate or reduce the frequency of these buses.
Hiking the Cinque Terre
All five towns are connected by good trails, marked with red-and-white paint, white arrows,
and some signs. You'll experience the area's best by hiking all the way from one end to the
other (although, unfortunately, the Manarola-Corniglia stretch is likely closed). While you
can detour to dramatic hilltop sanctuaries, I'd keep it simple by following trail #2—the low
route between the villages. The entire seven-mile hike can be done in about four hours, but
allow five for dawdling. Germans (with their task-oriented
Alpenstock
walking sticks) are
notorious for marching too fast through the region. Take it slow...smell the cactus flowers
and herbs, notice the lizards, listen to birds singing in the olive groves, and enjoy vistas on
all sides.
Trails can be closed in bad weather or because of landslides. Remember that hikers need
to pay a fee to enter the trails (see “Cinque Terre Park Cards,” earlier). If you're hiking the
entire five-town route, consider that the trail between Riomaggiore (#1) and Manarola (#2)
is easiest. The hike between Manarola and Corniglia (#3) has minor hills (but may be closed
duringyourvisit).ThetrailfromCornigliatoVernazza(#4)isdemanding,andthepathfrom
Vernazza to Monterosso (#5) is the most challenging. For that hike, you might want to start
in Monterosso in order to tackle the toughest section while you're fresh—and to enjoy the
region's most dramatic scenery as you approach Vernazza. If you plan to hike all five towns,
it'sbest to start early in the day,beginning at Monterosso (#5)and ending with Riomaggiore
(#1).
Other than the wide, easy Riomaggiore-Manarola segment, the trail is generally narrow,
steep, rocky, and comes with lots of steps. Be warned that I get many emails from readers
whosaythetrailwastougherthantheyexpected.Therocksandmetalgratescanbeslippery
in the rain. While the trail is a bit of a challenge, it's perfectly doable for any fit hiker...and
worth the sweat.
