The Cinque Terre - from Porto Venere to Riomaggiore

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A very beautiful stage, more challenging and less crowded at the entrance to the Cinque Terre, with beautiful views of the sea.

Details

n°31547780
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.01 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 725 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 701 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 529 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 7 m
  • ⚐ Country: Italy
  • ⚐ District: Porto Venere 
  • ⚑
    Start: N 44.051896° / E 9.835011°
  • ⚑
    End: N 44.098719° / E 9.73775°
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Photos

Riomaggiore
Departure along the castle of Porto Venere.
Arrival in the vineyards by monorail
View of the arrival in Riomaggiore

Description of the walk

The hike starts from Porto Venere. The site is accessible by car (paid parking at the entrance to the town) or by public transport:
- Regular buses from La Spezia
- Regular trains between Riomaggiore and La Spezia

Before setting off, take the time to visit Porto Venere, which is well worth a visit.

(S) Go to Piazza Darsena at the entrance to the village of Porto Venere. Find the trailheads to the west of the square and follow the marked trail "Sentiero Liguria - Trappa 3". This begins with very steep stairs along the city walls. Climb up to a fork in the trail.

(1) Above the town, stay on the same route, taking the path on the right at the fork. Continue along the trail until you come to a road.

(2) Turn right onto the road until you reach a small bridge near two buildings.

(3) Cross the bridge and then leave the road to take the path opposite. Follow it until you reach a road. Then take the path on the left and reach the tarmac at a hairpin bend.

(4) Ignore the road and follow the path until you reach it again.

(5) Follow the road to the left and then take a path on the left at the entrance to the village of Campiglia, next to a dirt car park.

(6) Follow the path and ignore the turn-off to the left about a hundred metres further on. Continue until you reach the village of Campiglia.

(7) In the village, take a path on the left that descends between two houses, then follow the marked path until you reach a forest track overlooking the vineyards.

(8) Follow it to the left and, before the first hairpin bend, you will find a path starting opposite.

(9) Leave the forest track and follow the marked path to the next fork.

(10) Ignore the turn-off to the left towards the Monasteroli monastery and continue along the marked path opposite.

(11) At the forest track, continue straight ahead and you will arrive at the Sant Antonio Chapel.

(12) Take the forest track on the left that passes in front of the chapel and leads to a car park.

(13) Leave the forest track and take the marked path on the left. Follow this path straight ahead until you reach a pass (Colle del Telegrafo).

(14) Take the path that descends to the left. The path continues through the vineyards and then reaches a church overlooking Riomaggiore.

(15) Take the path on the right. After a left turn, cross a road and continue straight ahead to Riomaggiore.

(16) At the roundabout, continue straight ahead and descend straight down to the harbour (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 7 m - Porto Venere
  2. 1 : km 0.59 - alt. 167 m - Fork in the road
  3. 2 : km 1.34 - alt. 254 m - Road
  4. 3 : km 2.28 - alt. 182 m - Trail
  5. 4 : km 3.85 - alt. 349 m - Trail
  6. 5 : km 4.2 - alt. 369 m - Road
  7. 6 : km 4.43 - alt. 396 m - Castellana
  8. 7 : km 4.94 - alt. 394 m - Castellana exit
  9. 8 : km 5.93 - alt. 346 m - Forest track
  10. 9 : km 6.05 - alt. 342 m - Trail
  11. 10 : km 6.18 - alt. 358 m - Monasteroli monastery fork
  12. 11 : km 7 - alt. 483 m - Forest track
  13. 12 : km 7.54 - alt. 521 m - Sant Antonio
  14. 13 : km 7.68 - alt. 524 m - Trail
  15. 14 : km 8.59 - alt. 514 m - Colle del Telegrafo
  16. 15 : km 10.57 - alt. 326 m - Church
  17. 16 : km 12.44 - alt. 89 m - Roundabout
  18. E : km 13.01 - alt. 31 m - Port of Riomaggiore

Notes

Variations:
(10) Option to make a detour to the left to reach the monastery of Monesteroli (additional elevation gain of approximately 350 metres).
(15) You can take the path that goes under the church to reach Riomaggiore, but it is not very pleasant.

The hike can be done as a first step before tackling the Cinque Terre hikes or as a day trip with a return journey by train and bus. Riomaggiore and La Spezia are connected by a train with frequent departures, and a bus connects La Spezia and Porto Venere (also with frequent departures).

Worth a visit

Take the time to visit the villages of Porto Venere and Riomaggiore.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 10 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 18238296

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It’s a lovely hike with some steep, rocky sections in the first part (between Portovenere and Campiglia). The climb from Portovenere is a real warm-up! The views and scenery are magnificent 🤩
The route is easy to follow as you stick to marked trails throughout: AV5T from Portovenere to Campiglia, 504 from Campiglia to Sant’Antonio, AV5T from Sant’Antonio to Telegrafo and SVA from Telegrafo to Riomaggiore.

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Stéphane69
Stéphane69

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike requiring careful attention to the route, especially in the first few kilometres (from Porto Venere). Beautiful views of the sea and vineyards along the way. We are occasional hikers and did this as a family of four (children aged 11 and 14). Note that in the first third of the hike, there is a long section along the side of a cliff with little vegetation on the slopes or just rock, including on the trail and on the slopes. We found this section dangerous, narrow, steep above and below, and without any safety measures. Walking sticks and good shoes are essential. I do not recommend this hike for children. The rest is easy.
Otherwise, there is a little gem in Campiglia (point 7, halfway along the route), in the village square, with a small terrace overlooking the sea and a little shop selling homemade products (savoury and sweet tarts in particular) and local produce: beautiful and excellent!

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User 26161346

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike off the beaten track of the Cinque Terre. This means fewer visitors and no entrance fees. We started in Porto Venere (reached by boat from La Spezia) and walked to Riomaggiore, where we took the train back. A 13 km hike with a gradual climb to 515 m, fairly easy, in a shaded area with alternating trails and sections of road. There are a few places to eat along the way, as well as streams to cool off in (especially in the second half towards Riomaggiore). However, there is nothing particularly noteworthy to see along three quarters of the trail. The hike takes place in a low-altitude forest that is generally well sheltered from the sun. However, there are no views of the sea or anything particularly typical of the area. It is only in the last few kilometres, as you descend towards Riomaggiore, that the landscape opens up and is replaced by vineyards, among other things, which are more exposed to the sun. The end of the route is quite steep towards the town.
In summary, this hike is a change from the crowded tourist trails of the Cinque Terre, but it is much longer, although still fairly easy. However, it is not particularly interesting.
It should be noted that the app is very useful because the signposts do not indicate the final destination but sections that lead to nearby villages. Riomaggiore is only indicated in the last few kilometres. But with Visorando, you just have to follow the guide.

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nlx
nlx
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We mainly used GPX, which was a great help!
Be careful at point 15, at the Madonna sanctuary. Follow the suggested route and not the path that descends in front of the church, which is steep and leads to a road with a sharp bend.
Be sure to visit Portovenere and its castle (€5 admission, well worth it).
A beautiful hike with two beautiful endpoints, beautiful views at the Madonna and in the terraced vineyards; a few steep sections (I'm afraid of heights and it was fine)... I recommend it. Allow 6 hours.

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Laura67
Laura67

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike with superb views. The start is tough with a very steep climb, but the rest is easier.
We did it with our 7-year-old daughter in about 6 hours, not counting the snack break, but it's not really suitable for children (very narrow passages on slopes).
This hike is definitely worth the detour!
All three of us loved it!

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Sylvie 34160
Sylvie 34160

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, somewhat physically demanding, especially at the start. Magnificent views. Narrow passages at times, so caution is required.

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Bernard_MZB
Bernard_MZB
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with varied landscapes and a lovely section through terraced vineyards.
I completed this crossing without any problems in the opposite direction, from Riomaggiore to Portovenere, with a magnificent return trip by boat.

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apl64
apl64
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with no difficulties for regular walkers. Varied paths and viewpoints.

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sigouben
sigouben

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

You need to be well trained for the ascents and descents. The steps are often quite high.

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olivier brosse
olivier brosse

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike of medium+/difficult level, which we recommend doing in the direction from Porto Venere to Riomaggiore; the hike starts at the exit of Porto Venere with a fairly steep climb, paths that are fairly easy to follow, crossings along magnificent (even unforgettable) cliffs; the arrival in Riomaggiore is gradual and pleasant on the descent (also quite steep).

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