The Italian Riviera offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and while some visitors prefer to lounge on the coast, for adventure travel enthusiasts, the area offers much more than a relaxing few days. In fact, one of the most famous sections of the Riviera, Cinque Terre, is perfect for hiking.
Cinque Terre, which is translated to five lands in English, is comprised of just that - five separate spots visitors should see during their time on Italy's west coast. The entire trip takes between four to five hours without stops and offers hikers a collection of some of the most beautiful coastal scenery they're likely to find anywhere else.
The first part of the hike brings travelers from the village of Riomaggiore to Manarola and takes about 45 minutes, even for novice hikers. The centerpiece of the hike is the Via del Amore, or Love Way, which is adorned with sculptures and artwork. The fully-paved path is a great way to ease into the journey and upon arriving at Manarola travelers can take a short swim before going on their way.
The next section of the hike is a little longer and takes hikers from Manarola to Corniglia. Although it's longer, it is not much more difficult than the first segment of the journey. While the 1.2 mile path does not have the artwork of the Love Way, the views of the beach below are nothing short of breathtaking.
After arriving at Corniglia, hikers will make their way to Vernazza. This part of the journey covers about 2.5 miles and is where it starts to get a bit more challenging. While it's rife with unpaved roads and uneven terrain, the trail will certainly appeal to avid hikers. Not only that, but it is located right against the water, so there is ample opportunity to cool off.
The final leg of the trip brings hikers from Vernazza to Monterosso, and spans about two miles. Like the section before it, the path is a bit of a challenge and will likely take hikers about two hours to complete. While it is the hardest part, most hikers will agree it offers some of the best views and brings travelers through a varied amount of scenery and vegetation.
Hiking the picturesque Cinque Terre
Posted on Wednesday, July 18th, 2012
