Cinque Terre is world-famous for its five iconic villages and their rainbow-painted houses, but did you know it also boasts some of the best coastal walks in Italy?
Cinque Terre is woven with over 120km of stunning hiking trails. If you had the time – and, more importantly, the energy – you could walk all the way from Monterosso to Riomaggiore, interrupted only by the picturesque villages. There’s no better way to explore this incredible National Park than on foot.
However, if you’re planning a day trip to Cinque Terre, you won’t want to skip any of the five villages – that means you’ll only really have time for one main hike. And if you’re only going to do one, naturally you’ll want to do the best one. So pack some sturdy trainers, and get ready to tick the best hike in Cinque Terre off your bucket list.
Hiking in Cinque Terre
With 48 different hiking trails spanning the National Park, there’s some fierce competition when it comes to picking the best hike in Cinque Terre. An honourable mention here to the Monterosso to Vernazza hike, which is similar in length (and offers some incredible aerial views of the Vernazza harbour). Similarly, the Via dell’Amore (‘Lover’s Lane’) which is due to reopen in July 2024, and by all accounts is a stunning, albeit short, hike.
Emerging superior, however: the best all-round hike for your daytrip to Cinque Terre is the Vernazza to Corniglia hike. It has the most varied and stunning scenery, from secluded stairways beneath maritime pines, to layered vineyards and olive groves, to sweeping ocean vistas. It offers postcard-perfect aerial views of both Vernazza and Corniglia. It’s the perfect length to incorporate into your Cinque Terre daytrip. And, it has a charming hidden gem midway through: a bar serving fresh iced lemon slushies, food, and plenty of cocktails!
What to know before the Vernazza to Corniglia hike?
Like with the Monterosso to Vernazza hike, access to this trail during peak season requires purchase of a Cinque Terre hiking card (although if you’re planning on using the trains, you’ll already have to purchase a Cinque Terre card which includes access to the hikes – full details on my post here.) All hiking trails are free from 4 November until 14 March each year.
While there are some steep inclines, most of these sections have steps, and the overall terrain is moderate. Hiking boots are not necessary, you can make do with some comfortable trainers. A lot of the route is exposed with little shelter, and even in spring the sun can be relentless. Make sure you’re dressed appropriately, and fill up some water bottles at Vernazza before you head out.
How to find the Vernazza to Corniglia hike
I always recommend visiting the villages in reverse order, starting in Monterosso and working back through to La Spezia (click here for my full guide to Cinque Terre). So you’ll be starting your journey in Vernazza and hiking to Corniglia.
Starting from Vernazza’s harbour, head up Via Visconti (the main road cutting through the village), and take a right at the small lane Via Mazzini, which will take you winding up and round through the brightly-coloured, narrow alleyways, and up onto the beginning of the trail. Continue to follow the righthand fork of the trail, and this will lead you all the way to Corniglia. The route leading to the hiking trail is well signposted, and after that it’s just a single track, so you won’t get lost.
How long is the Vernazza to Corniglia hike
The Vernazza to Corniglia hike is around 3.5km long with varied terrain and some steep inclines. You should allow an hour and a half for this hike (or an hour 45 if you want to take your time, especially when it’s hot). If you’re planning on stopping off for some midway refreshments, don’t forget to factor that in too!
Midway refreshments
One of the unique things that makes the Vernazza to Corniglia hike the best hike in Cinque Terre is the quaint hidden bar at its ‘midway’ point. About an hour into your journey, after a bit of a climb, you’ll stumble across Bar Il Gabbiano. It’s instantly recognisable from its colourful signage and the crates of bright lemons stacked outside.
If you’re in need of shade, there’s a small amount of indoor seating at the bar itself, with windows that open right out onto the stunning coastal panorama. Or, you can head further up the path, where you’ll find their large outdoor seating area with plenty of space and some similarly incredible views. Here, their sign warns you to ‘send the strongest down to the bar to order’!
Bar Il Gabbiano serves some surprisingly affordable bites to eat, along with coffees, soft drinks, and beers. There’s also a wide range of cocktails, many incorporating their fresh lemons and oranges. If you’re after something non-alcoholic, their iced lemon slushies are incredible. They’re the perfect refreshment after a long hike in the sun – and only €3.50.
Overall, if you only have time for one hike in Cinque Terre, the Vernazza to Corniglia hike will never disappoint. Save this for your next trip to Italy, and check out my other guides on Cinque Terre for more things to do!
The Gossamer Traveller 