Hello travelers, adventurers and explorers my sisters and I only have one day to try and get a small yet memorable hike in from Monterosso to some of the cinque terre towns. Suggestions for a reasonable hike? How about including a boat ride to incorporate into either departing or returning from ( specific) area? recommendations/suggestions please
Gratzie mary
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
Most first-time visitors would probably hike between Monterosso and Vernazza and between Vernazza and Corniglia. These trails are popular and probably pretty crowded during the morning and afternoon. They are not easy hikes but not super hard. There are a lot of steps up and down. I think it's about 1.5 to 2 hours for each hike, depending on your pace.
If you and your sister are in good shape and/or more advanced hikers, I would suggest instead the hike between Corniglia and Manarola, via Volastra. This requires a steep climb up and down to/from the town of Volastra - many steps up and down. It's otherwise an easy hike, just lots of steps. Going up from Manarola to Volastra is a little steeper than going up the other direction from Corniglia to Volastra. Some people find going up vs. down easier in one direction, so keep that in mind.
Anyway...this Volastra hike offers some breathtaking scenery down, perhaps the best of any of the hikes I've done in the CT. It's a little less crowded than the other hikes I described above. Should take 2-3 hours.
Train service is great between all five towns, with several trains an hour during the day. You'll need a hiking pass for the first two hikes above (not for the Volastra hike), and the hiking pass has an option for the trains. If you want to try to sneak in visits by train to other towns, the train pass option will quickly pay for itself.
The boat between towns runs about every 30 minutes in each direction I think. It doesn't stop at Corniglia but stops at the other four. You can take the train to/from Corniglia otherwise.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11680 posts
The Manarola to Corneglia hike is great and you can make it a might easier by starting in Manarola and taking the bus to Volastra. Check locally for the schedule as it is not a frequent service. Walk down at Corneglia, have lunch or a snack, then catch the Corneglia shuttle downhill to the train station. Those 400 steps are knee killers!