Cinque Terre Train Trip

This group of villages along the Italian Riviera is famous for its dramatic landscape and is a popular hiking destination.

Cinque Terre [Five Lands] consist of five distinct villages along the Ligurian coast, spanning from south to north: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare. The rocky terrain that makes up this coastline creates a number of ragged promontories and secluded coves. Each village possesses its own distinct character. Riomaggiore, Manarola, and Vernazza dramatically cling to the steep cliffs surrounding their harbors, while Corniglia is perched high on a peak, encompassed by rocky terraces. These villages appear untouched by the passage of time, with their narrow, steep streets and vibrant-colored houses. The largest, Monterosso, overlooks a wide bay with a sandy beach. It basically looks like any seaside Mediterranean village. Cinque Terre was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 due to its outstanding cultural landscape and unique preservation of traditional coastal settlements.

These villages, originally established as fishing communities, have a history dating back to the 11th century. For centuries, they remained secluded until the 19th century when railway lines were constructed, linking them with the rest of Italy. The surge in tourism during the 1970s brought about a transformation. Visitors were charmed by the colorful, quaint little villages, leading to the birth of an anecdote. According to the tale, the houses were painted in vibrant colors to aid fishermen in spotting their villages from the sea, amidst the greyness of the rocks. However, the truth is less romantic – the buildings were actually painted in the 1970s to enhance their appeal to tourists. Unfortunately, the passage of time has taken its toll, with the paint fading significantly and the facades crumbling.

The beautiful scenery and diverse range of hiking trails draw visitors from all over the world. While some trails present more challenging terrain, along the coast, there are relatively easy footpaths that grant access to secluded beaches. Among these paths is the ancient Sentiero Azzurro [Blue Path], which offers stunning views of the rocky coastline and terraced vineyards. This trail connects all five villages and was historically used by locals as the sole means of reaching neighboring communities. Notably, the most renowned section of the path, Via dell’ Amore [Lovers’ Lane], winds along the coastal cliffs between Riomaggiore and Manarola. However, it has remained closed for several years, and there are no indications of its reopening in the near future. Overall, frequent landslides, prompted by the region’s unstable nature, necessitate regular trail closures.