Best of Cinque Terre by Train
Rail & Trail Tour
Holiday Type:
Rail & Trail
When:
June to October
Centres:
Monterosso & Riomaggiore
Length:
5 days (suggested)
Grade:
Flexible
2024 Price:
From £ 740.00
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Wander above blue Mediterranean waters and hidden coves
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Visit all five of the colourfully painted fishing villages on foot
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Hike ancient pathways along a steep, rugged coastline
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Enjoy freshly caught seafood, local olives and wine
Scenically situated on the Italian coastline, Cinque Terre National Park is a region perfect for exploring on foot. Five fishing villages cling to this steep, rugged coastline, overlooking the blue Mediterranean waters, the houses painted in bright colours. Rather than roads, the villages of this UNESCO World Heritage Site are connected by ancient, narrow pathways cut into the hillside, winding through terraced olive groves and vineyards.
Set out on a relaxed wander along these trails, soaking in the Italian sun, visiting secluded coves and sandy beaches along the way. Get lost amongst the winding alleyways of these historic villages and find your favourite ice cream shop. Restaurants will treat you to freshly caught seafood and local produce from this active agricultural area. Based in the two largest of the five villages, Monterosso & Riomaggiore, our Rail & Trail holiday makes use of the railway tunnel connecting these settlements, allowing plenty of flexibility in the length of walks.
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Our Rail & Trail holidays take you to some of the best hiking destinations in Europe, by public transport. Spend a few nights in each location, in comfortable accommodation, rather than checking in and out daily. Our itineraries are designed to make use of the most convenient train and bus routes, often to locations where cars are not allowed. Included in your package, along with all accommodation, is a Travel Pass which will allow you to travel on local trains and buses for free.
Each day we have set out a specific hiking route which makes the most of the area. A detailed guidebook, map, online mapping and GPX route is provided for each route. However, as this is a self-guided trip, you can of course choose an alternative hike, depending on your preference, and perhaps the weather! Your information pack will therefore also include plenty of alternative hiking routes in each area, of varying difficulty.
Photo Gallery
Best of Cinque Terre by Train Itinerary
▼ Day 1: Arrive in Monterosso
Arrive on the Ligurian coast at Monterosso, one of the 5 villages of Cinque Terre (meaning "Five Lands"). The village boasts a wide beach of golden sand, a pleasant seafront promenade and a 16th Century watchtower. Sitting on the Cinque Terre railway line, it makes a great base to explore the area. Monterosso is well connected by train to Florence (2.5 hours), Milan (3 hours), Turin (3.5 hours) and Rome (4 hours).
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in Monterosso
▼ Day 2: Monterosso to Vernazza
4.3km & 276m ascent (2.7 miles & 905ft)
A delightful section of the Sentiero Verde Azzurro (SVA), a coastal path which links the villages of Cinque Terre. From Monterosso to Vernazza the SVA undulates along the coastline - with the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean often far below. Trees and olive groves provide good shade. Spend the afternoon in the picturesque village of Vernazza before taking the regular train (10 mins) back to your hotel in Monterosso.
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in Monterosso
▼ Day 3: Corniglia to Riomaggiore
7.7km & 598m ascent (4.8 miles & 1962ft)
Another stage of walking along the coast, but today a bit higher up the hillside. From Corniglia head uphill into the amazing, terraced vineyards which make this area so distinctive. Old cobbled pathways traverse along the hillside, with far reaching views along the coast and over the ocean. Visit the 13th Century church at Volastra before heading downhill to the village of Manarola, and along the coastline to Riomaggiore, your base for the next two nights, where your luggage will have already been delivered. Riomaggiore is arguably one of the most photogenic of the Cinque Terre villages, where multicoloured houses are stacked up overlooking a small cove.
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in Riomaggiore
▼ Day 4: Porto Venere to Riomaggiore
12.8km & 646m ascent (8 miles & 2119ft)
This morning you will be transported by taxi to Porto Venere (40 mins) - a picturesque harbour town at the very end of this rugged peninsula. This allows you to walk back along the coast to your hotel in Riomaggiore. The route makes a superb traverse of the coastline, along ridges with spectacular views - and be sure to celebrate your last day of walking with a delicious goodbye dinner!
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in Riomaggiore
▼ Day 5: Depart Riomaggiore
Similarly to your arrival at Monterosso, Riomaggiore is well connected by train, with all the major cities of northern Italy accessible in a few hours.
Best of Cinque Terre by Train Route Map
What’s Included?
✔ 4 nights accommodation
✔ Breakfast every morning
✔ Luggage & Taxi Transfers as required
✔ Detailed Itinerary, Map & Guidebook
✔ GPX Waypoints and online mapping
✔ 24/7 Emergency Phone Number
What’s not Included?
X Travel Insurance
X Flights to and from the holiday
X Lunches
Optional Extras
? Rail Transport to and from the holiday
? Taxi Transfers to and from the holiday
? Luggage Transfers
Accommodation & Prices
On our Rail & Trail itineraries we aim to book all accommodations on a B&B basis. However, we will always ensure that there are options for dinner either at your accommodation or nearby, and provide restaurant recommendations in your information pack.
Standard
2024 Price: from £ 740.00 GBP per person (Request a Quote)
Accommodation will be in en-suite rooms, in a mixture of 2 to 3 star hotels, or good quality, comfortable Guest Houses.
Luxury
2024 Price: from £ 990.00 GBP per person (Request a Quote)
Accommodation will be in en-suite rooms, in a mixture of luxury 4* star hotels, or boutique Guest Houses.
FAQs
What is a self-guided holiday? When is the best time to travel? How do I get to the start of my holiday?
Please head to our FAQs page for all answers. Alternatively, please don’t hesitate to send us an email or give us a call with any questions about our holidays.