Cinque Terra….. hiking and beach!
04.10.2024 - 06.10.2024
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October 4, 2024
Had an early breakfast and headed out to the train station to Monterosso, Cinque Terra.
We passed Carrara. Carrara is known for its marble quarries.
Sites along the way.
Cinque Terre (meaning 'Five Lands') are a coastal in the northwest of Italy. It lies in the west of La Spezia Province, and is comprised of five villages - Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. The coastline, the five villages, and the surrounding hillsides are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Vernazza is one of the most beautiful villages of Italy.
Headed out for lunch and met this couple from Australia. They joined us for lunch and we chatted for over an hour. Actually, she chatted!
We headed out for a hike to Vernazza. Great views, difficult hike…..didn’t make it all the way as the sun was setting?
October 5, 2024
Had a slow wake up morning today. Had breakfast and headed on to purchase a Cinque Terre Park pass. This pass allows you to hike in the park and also take the trains from town to town.
Decided to train to Riomaggiore and hike to Manarola. Riomaggiore is the most southern village of the Cinque Terre, situated just a two minutes by train from Manarola. The town climbs up along the ridges overlooking the sea, with it typical stone houses with coloured façades and slate-roofs.
We found out that the hike we wanted to do was going to cost us another 17,50 euros on top of the 48,50 euros we paid. We decided to do the longer hike but once we saw where we were hiking to we decided to just explore the town and then train to Manalora!
Riomaggiore and other Cinque Terre towns were the inspiration for the fictional Portorosso in the 2021 animated film Luca.
Manalora is built on a high rock 70 metres above sea level and is said to be one of the most charming and romantic of the Cinque Terre villages. The tiny harbour features a boat ramp, a tiny piazza and picturesque multicoloured houses facing the sea. We grabbed a lunch. Julia decided to train back to Monterosso and I stayed to explore Manalora.
Trained back to Monterosso, gabbed a calamari.
(photo credit: Julia)
Got changed and spent the rest of the day at the beach!
Dinner in Vernaza.
October 6, 2024
Had breakfast and headed off to Levanto for a visit. Levanto is near one the five towns of the Cinque Terre, Monterosso al Mare.
Next we boarded the train to Corniglia. Corniglia is located in the heart of the Cinque Terre National Park on a small cape, 100 meters above the sea. It is the smallest of the five villages and also the least accessible. You can take the shuttle bus up from the train station or you have to climb the Lardarina staircase, 382 stairs, to reach the village. We took the shuttle bus!
Corniglia is connected to the other villages of the Cinque Terre by footpaths. The path from Corniglia to Vernazza boasts amazing sea views and takes 1 hour 30 minutes to walk. Took me about 1 hour 15 minutes.
208 meters above sea level….the highest peak on the blue path!
This gentleman was entertaining us as we walked along the trail.
Lemonade stand…. It was so refreshing!
This guys sits there and checks to see you have a park pass.
Bar along the way.
Vernaza!
Stopped at Castillo Doria in Vernaza. A medieval fortress known as Doria Castle stands on top of a rocky ridge near the village of Vernazza. The tower was used as a lookout fortress to protect the village from pirates. Climbed to the top of the tower.
Trained back to Monterosso. Showered and off I went to explore the old town of Monterosso.
Dessert before dinner…. Mango and lemon gelatos!
Today’s step count