Hikes in Liguria

The province of Liguria is famous for beaches, culture and food, however it is also a wonderful walking destination. In spring and autumn, going for a walk in Liguria is a splendid holiday, allowing your warm, pleasant days with everything that makes the Italian Riviera so special.

One of the finest walks on earth is the legendary Cinque Terre walk. While you can spend a week making your way along the paths of Cinque Terre, the most popular route is the one from Monterosso al Mare to Riomaggiore. While you can walk Cinque Terre in a day, spending a week on a self-guided Cinque Terre walking tour is a truly spectacular way to explore Cinque Terre.

The Cinque Terre Portofino to Porto Venere Trek is a classic walking tour. While the Cinque Terre Pilgrimage to Portovenere Trek is another great self-guided Cinque Terre walking tour.

So go on, start planning your next holiday in stunning Liguria, the beautiful Italian Riviera.

Hiking in Liguria

Liguria is a thin crescent of coast in north-west Italy, squeezed between the Ligurian Sea and the mountains of the Apennines and the Maritime Alps. That narrow strip packs in a remarkable amount of walking: vineyard terraces stacked above the sea, ancient mule tracks linking fishing villages, shady headland forests, and high ridge paths with views over the whole Italian Riviera. The undisputed star is the Cinque Terre, but the walking here rewards anyone who lingers a little longer than the standard day trip.

What’s New in Liguria for 2026

After more than a decade closed, the famous Via dell’Amore (the ‘Path of Love’) between Riomaggiore and Manarola has reopened, though you now need a Cinque Terre Card and a booked time slot to walk it. A Cinque Terre Card is also required to walk the open sections of the Sentiero Azzurro, the coastal Blue Trail, so it is worth checking current trail openings and booking ahead before you visit.

The Best Hikes in Liguria

Almost all of Liguria’s most famous walking is found in the Cinque Terre National Park, where a web of trails links five clifftop villages above the sea. The classic outing is the coastal Sentiero Azzurro, but the higher ridge and sanctuary trails, and the headlands on either side of the park, offer plenty more for walkers who want to escape the crowds.

1. Cinque Terre (14.0 km, 1,384 m, 5 - 7h): Hiking Cinque Terre is on many travelers bucket list. This world class hike takes you through five coastal towns and along cliffs rising above the Ligurian Sea. It is stunning and every bit worth adding to any trip to Italy.
2. The Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail): the low coastal path that strings together Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. The Monterosso to Vernazza and Vernazza to Corniglia stretches are the most scenic, climbing through vineyard terraces with classic views back over the pastel villages and the sea.
3. The Via dell’Amore: the short, easy and famous ‘Path of Love’ between Manarola and Riomaggiore. It is the gentlest section of the whole walk and a lovely stroll at sunset, now reopened with a timed Cinque Terre Card booking.
4. The high trails and sanctuary paths: above the coast, the ridge trail and the routes that climb to the sanctuaries behind each village are quieter, usually free of the coastal-path ticket, and reward the extra effort with sweeping panoramas over the whole park.
5. The Portofino promontory: east of the park, a beautiful headland links Santa Margherita Ligure, glamorous Portofino, the seaside abbey of San Fruttuoso and the fishing town of Camogli, mixing clifftop paths with shady Mediterranean woodland.
6. Portovenere to the Cinque Terre: from the pretty harbour of Portovenere on the Gulf of Poets, a high path climbs into the hills and connects through to Riomaggiore, a wilder and far quieter way into the Cinque Terre.

When Is the Best Time to Hike in Liguria in 2026?

The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are the sweet spot for hiking in Liguria. In spring, roughly April and May, the terraces turn green, wildflowers line the paths and the days are warm without being oppressive. Autumn, from September into October, is arguably even better: the sea is still warm enough for a swim, the grape harvest is under way on the terraces, the light turns golden and the summer crowds have begun to thin.

Summer, from June to August, brings the heaviest crowds and the hottest weather. The coastal paths are exposed and offer little shade, so if you hike in high summer, start early, carry plenty of water and book your accommodation well in advance. Winter, from November to March, is quiet and often mild, but it is also the wettest time of year; some coastal sections and seasonal facilities close, and trails can shut after heavy rain, so always check conditions before you set out.

Getting Around the Cinque Terre

The five Cinque Terre villages are linked by frequent regional trains, so it is easy to walk one stretch and ride back, and seasonal ferries connect several of the villages with views from the water. Many walkers base themselves in one of the villages, or in nearby La Spezia or Levanto, and day-trip along the coast. The Cinque Terre Card covers train travel between the villages along with access to the open sections of the Blue Trail, which makes it the simplest way to combine walking and transport in the park.

Exploring more of Italy? Discover nearby hikes in Tuscany, or browse our full guide to hikes in Italy.