Hiking in the Cinque Terre, staying in a 3-star hotel
In summary
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Sports
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Duration5 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationItaly / Cinque Terre
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AgeFrom 12 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions53.16 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
In a few words
Head to the Ligurian coast for a trail running holiday between sea and mountains , combining running , cultural discovery , and the Mediterranean lifestyle . On the panoramic trails of the Cinque Terre Natural Park , you'll traverse colorful villages , steep vineyards , and turquoise coves at your own pace. Thanks to our dedicated app, follow a variety of routes, from coastal singletrack to hilly terrain. Whether you're a seasoned runner or a keen walker, this hub-and-spoke holiday adapts to your preferences: rack up the kilometers in training mode , or alternate running with contemplation . After your exertion, savor the peaceful atmosphere of the small ports, settle in the shade of an olive tree, or indulge in local specialties: fresh fish , artisanal focaccia , or white wine from the hills . A sporty and gourmet getaway in a protected setting, to reconnect body and mind in the heart of the Mediterranean.
The highlights
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Unique trail running routes between land, sea and vineyards
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The many Italian gastronomic (and aperitif!) specialties
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The opportunity to discover the landscape from the sea, by boat
Photos
Sport
Level
Trail running
The expert's opinion
Someone who doesn't do trail running can absolutely join you for hiking or sightseeing. Each village in the Cinque Terre (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore) is connected by train, the Park's electric minibuses, and boats.
There are also several stations or towns to see between Genoa and La Spezia (Camogli, Portofino, Sestri Levante, Levanto, Portovenere, …).
In figures
Trail and road running
- Average duration/day: 4h
- Average distance/day: 14 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 885 m
- Average daily descent: 905 m
Management
Complete travel package, "paper" version, including: marked trail map, roadbook, tourist guide and detailed practical information (boat schedules etc).
One pack is provided for 1 to 6 people.
Your hike on your mobile!
When you register, you can opt for the digital navigation app. A few days before departure, we'll send you the information to download the app to your smartphone. You'll then have access to your route (using Openmap) and can discover points of interest along the way. With real-time geolocation and turn-by-turn directions, it's simple and fun to use!
Once the route is downloaded, this app works in airplane mode. Depending on its battery life, we recommend bringing a small external battery. For optimal use, you should have a recent smartphone with an up-to-date operating system.
Program
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Arrival
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Arrival at your accommodation, first night.
Day 1 -
Levanto / Corniglia or Manarola: A walk suspended between sky and earth
- Activity Trail and road running
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 940 m
- Negative elevation 940 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
From Levanto, gateway to the Cinque Terre, you'll reach the charming villages of Vernazza, Corniglia, and then Manarola via a scenic path along the coast, winding through maquis shrubland and pine forests. Be warned, the trail is quite hilly in places…
Swimming is possible.
You can stop in Corniglia or Manarola depending on how you feel.
Day 2 -
Camogli / San Fruttuoso / Portofino: Wild and mystical…
- Activity Trail and road running
- Duration of the activity 3h30
- Distance 11 km
- Positive elevation gain 800 m
- Negative elevation 800 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
To "break away" from the Cinque Terre and enjoy the "Riviera" atmosphere.
Today, you have two options: a rolling route through the forest on a wide track or a technical version overlooking the sea for the "chamois-trail runners".
After a stop in the turquoise blue cove sheltering the mystical monastery of San Fruttuoso, you finish your day's journey in Portofino, a romantic port on the Ligurian coast, a high place in Genoese history.
Optional extension to Santa Margherita + 1 hour
Day 3 -
Manarola / Corniglia / Vernazza: A summary of Cinque Terre
- Activity Trail and road running
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 17 km
- Positive elevation gain 1150 m
- Negative elevation 1230 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
A magnificent trail winds through olive groves, vineyards, and gardens. As you explore colorful hamlets, you climb above the Mediterranean Sea to enjoy breathtaking views of the Cinque Terre. This is the trail of pure bliss!
Day 4 -
Riomaggiore / Porto Venere: When the mountain plunges into the Mediterranean!
- Activity Trail and road running
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 650 m
- Negative elevation 650 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
After a warm-up with a series of steps through the village and then across the terraced fields, you'll reach the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montenero. You'll then follow the ridge that separates the Gulf of La Spezia from the Cinque Terre. This ridge will lead you to Porto Venere along a truly beautiful route! The boat trip back to Manarola (or another village) will allow you to admire the Cinque Terre from a new perspective, from the sea!
End of your stay.
Please note: if you wish to enjoy one last day of trail running before your departure, your room must be vacated in the morning, after breakfast. It will therefore not be possible to keep your room until you return from the trails to shower and change.
However, you can leave your belongings at the accommodation's luggage storage during your outing.
To fully enjoy your last day and have your room available until the following day, an extra night can be arranged. Please feel free to contact us.
Day 5
Note
You take the local train every day to get to the starting point of the hike (between 5 and 25 minutes) and/or back to your accommodation.
Of course, our organizational proposal can be adapted according to your wishes and the weather.
All our itineraries are described starting from a station served by the local train. It will be easy to adapt the program, as using the local train allows for all sorts of combinations.
Accommodation
You have two options for your hotel : Monterosso or Manarola. You choose where you would like to stay by specifying your preference when booking (subject to availability) !
In Monterosso , you're right in the heart of the Cinque Terre! The hotel is located in historic Monterosso, nestled in the maze of vaulted alleyways called "carruggi." It's a village that's both picturesque (with its arcades and church made of serpentine stone and white marble) and lively (with a wide selection of restaurants and shops). Monterosso is the only Cinque Terre village with a beach . A swim in the sea will be most welcome after a day of hiking!
In Manarola , you are also in the heart of the Cinque Terre! It is undoubtedly the most authentic of the five hamlets and the smallest.
The hotel rooms have all been renovated and offer a very high standard.
You will appreciate the tranquility of this village.
Access
Dispersion during the day.
Go to the starting point
Levanto station then Manarola.
Please note that trains are often delayed. Allow extra time for connections.
Take a ticket to Milan, Genoa or La Spezia. From there, you can take another ticket to Manarola (between 7am and 11pm).
From Paris, you can reach Levanto via two airports :
- Genoa Airport : direct flights from Paris. A Volabus shuttle (€10 per person, every 45 minutes) takes you to Genova Piazza Principe or Genova Brignole train stations . From there, direct trains to Manarola take 1 to 2 hours and cost approximately €8 .
- Pisa Airport : direct flights from Paris. The Pisa Mover (€6.50) provides a quick connection between the airport and Pisa Centrale . From there, take a train to Manarola with a change in La Spezia . The journey takes approximately 2 hours and costs between €11 and €20 depending on the train.
This mode of transport is strongly discouraged. The area in question is within a National Natural Park, where alternatives to private vehicles are encouraged: train, boat, and electric minibuses. Furthermore, you will have no use for them once you arrive. Everything is done by train.
Furthermore, like most of the Cinque Terre villages, Manarola is a pedestrian village. There is a paid parking lot (approximately €20 per day) at the village entrance. The pedestrian center is a 500-meter walk away.
Manarola
Take the motorway to Genoa (Genova), then follow signs for Livorno and take the La Spezia-Santo Stefano exit. Follow signs for La Spezia, Les Cinque Terre (SP370) towards Manarola.
Price details
The price includes
- Accommodation in a room for 2 or 3
- Breakfasts
- A complete hiking/trail pack is provided for 1 to 6 people, including pre-marked maps, a roadbook, a tourist guide, and all practical information. If you order it when registering, you'll also get access to the smartphone navigation app.
The price does not include
- Lunch and dinner
- The pass provides access to local trains and park trails.
- The ferry trip from Porto Venere (approximately €22)
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Insurance and any associated costs
Options
- Extra night BEFORE stay - With breakfast : CHF73.18 / unit
- Additional night AFTER your stay - With breakfast : CHF73.18 / unit
- Additional night BEFORE stay in a single room - With breakfast : CHF114.35 / unit
- Additional night AFTER your stay in a single room - With breakfast : CHF114.35 / unit
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- 1 CamelBak-type backpack of 25/30 litres
- 1 water bladder (bring 2 liters as you won't find any fountains, but you can buy mineral water in the village shops)
- Two telescopic poles are highly recommended.
- 1 large plastic bag to protect the inside of the backpack
- 1 Opinel-type pocket knife.
- 1 small pouch (preferably waterproof) to put your money, identity card, health insurance card and assistance contract in.
- 1 pack of tissues
- Earplugs or earplugs
- toiletry bag
- sunscreen
- 1 bath towel
Clothing to bring
Don't carry unnecessary weight: you will have to carry your travel bag or suitcase from the station or parking lot (not very close) to your accommodation (wheels strongly recommended).
This list should be adapted according to the season:
- 2 short-sleeved t-shirts made of breathable material
- 1 long-sleeved thermal base layer in breathable material
- 1 fleece jacket.
- 1 Gore-Tex type waterproof and breathable windproof jacket with hood
- 1 rain cape
- 1 hat or cap for sun protection, depending on the season
- 1 small, lightweight hat with small fleece gloves for autumn and early spring
- 2 trail running shorts or leggings
- 1 pair of loose-fitting trekking trousers
- One pair of trail running shoes with good ankle support and waterproofing, with Vibram soles. Remember to test new shoes and those that haven't been used for a long time beforehand.
- 1 pair of excellent quality sunglasses.
- 1 sunscreen and protective lip balm.
- 1 swimsuit and a small bath towel if you plan to swim.
- 1 change of clothes for the evening
- 1 pair of shoes for the evening
- Change of clothes and underwear
Personal pharmacy
- your usual medications.
- Pain medication: paracetamol preferred.
- lozenges for sore throats.
- elastic adhesive tape, Elastoplast type, 8 cm wide.
- sets of adhesive bandages + disinfectant compresses.
- double skin (like Compeed or SOS blisters).
- 1 pair of tweezers
- 1 tick remover
- Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes
The Aurélie & Sébastien team
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- ✅ A 100% identical offer: Same dates, same services, same sales conditions.
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- You pay a 30% deposit today to reserve your stay.
- The balance (the remaining 70%) must be paid no later than 30 days before departure.
- ✅ Of an amount greater than €300.
- ✅ Whose departure is in more than 30 days.