8 really good reasons to hike in Cinque Terre

The small path winds along the terraced fields filled with vines. The path is narrow and it is necessary to stop and stand still when there is a hiker walking the opposite way. The true companion on this stretch is the sea, which shines blue at the foot of the slope on which we hike. The route is varied and winds down gorges, up slopes and although not long, it still takes time because it is so often necessary to stop and spend a few minutes letting the beauty sink in. The beauty of this place is unbelievable and it suddenly makes sense why there are Italians who have built houses on secluded rocky slopes, where it must take an eternity, for example to collect milk for the coffee.

Cinque Terre is the five small villages which are beautifully located in canyons and cliff tops in northern Italy. The cities are incomparably beautiful and after a few days it becomes almost a cliche to mention how beautiful something is. Everything is just great. Everything seems well thought out, from the little flower, which is set in a window sill in a small alley, where very few look down, to the small railing where loving couples have for years hung small declarations of love for each other and for life.

Our journey starts in Levanto, which is just outside the Cinque Terre National Park. We live at the Nuovo Garden hotel, which could not be better located a stone's throw from the beach and the center of the small town and only a five minute walk to the train station, which we use to visit the Cinque Terre itself and hike a wealth of exciting walking routes.

Riomaggiore is our next stop and here we stay at Hotel Ca Dei Duxi. The hotel is rushed because it is located in the middle of Riomaggiore and when you first see it, you think this could not be the place. A small door leading into a microscopic entrance with a staircase at the end. In the entrance there is a small counter where we are welcomed and after walking up the small stairs we find our lovely rooms in the very heart of the city. Close to everything.

The hiking trails in the area are all varied and offer great views, steep climbs and descents. The substrate is fairly even, but sometimes there are small rocky stretches where you really appreciate your hiking boots / boots. There are plenty of vantage points where it is perfect to stop and take a tear of water while the beauty pours into the mind. It's something you will never forget.

Why go hiking in Cinque Terre?

• Hiking has been a highlight of the Cinque Terre National Park for many years and the trails are well maintained and both beautiful and very varied.
• Hiking routes are available in all levels of difficulty and daily you have the opportunity to choose how challenging you will be on the hike.
• You can't go to Italy without being impressed by the food. We arrived at 1pm. At 11:30 pm Levanto and the local bar served bruchetta with olives and ham. It can even have something to do with hunger, but it tasted amazing.
• Everything is great. It's pretty incredible, but even dilapidated buildings where the paint is falling off have a charm on those edges.
• Boat trip from Portovenere to Levanto. The trip takes about two hours, costs about 30 euros and is well worth it. The coastline is impressive.
• "The Five Cities" is the epitome of Italian charm with narrow streets, flowers in the balconies and paths on the outside of cliff walls.
• Levanto. The city does not belong to "the five cities", but is a great place to be. The central square of the city is the perfect place to enjoy a refreshment. There is also the beach where it is sometimes possible to surf.
• There are very few cars in Cinque Terre, as the vast majority of guests arrive by train, which drills through the rocky sides of the coast.

Check out our five-day hiking holiday in Cinque Terre
Check out our seven-day hiking vacation in Cinque Terre
We also have a walking holiday in Cinque Terre which is a total of 8 days / 7 nights and this also includes the Portofino Peninsula