Cinque Terre Walking

Cinque Terre & Tuscany Walking & Hiking

Overview
Lodging
Reviews
Route Rating
More Trips
Trip Highlights
  • Two distinct and beloved regions of Italy in one amazing trip
  • Hike the Cinque Terre's spectacular coastline, with brightly colored cliffside villages
  • Outstanding seafood by the Mediterranean and simple hearty fare in Chianti
  • Stroll through archetypal Tuscan villages, vineyards and cypress-flanked lanes
  • Taste crisp Ligurian white wines and full-bodied Tuscan reds
800-462-2848
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
Backroads Trip VideoCinque Terre & Tuscany Video Thumb

Watch a Video

From the Ligurian Coast to Timeless Tuscany

How do you prepare for this adventure? First you walk, and practice stopping suddenly. So that you'll be ready for the spontaneous views - colorful villages clinging to cliffs with waves crashing below. The scenery will arrest you mid-step, so be ready. Then pick the most delectable Chianti you can find. It won't match the Classico you'll sip in Panzano but it's good practice. Finally get your fill of just-off-the-boat fresh seafood, hearty pork and beef, friendly people, rows of cypress, warm sunlight, patch-work hills and the blue Mediterranean. And you've got a good start.

Days 1-2 Two distinct regions of Italy in one amazing trip  Hike through the dramatic landscape to Portovenere, taking in sweeping vistas of the Golfo della Spezia Boat to Palmaria Island for a feast of fresh seafood Sip crisp Ligurian white wines at a fun and informative tasting  Explore the Cinque Terre's spectacular coastline, a World Heritage site, by foot, boat and train Well-groomed paths lined by ancient stone walls lead from stunning Riomaggiore through cliffside Manarola, quiet Corniglia, colorful Vernazza to inviting Monterosso al Mare

Days 3-4 Stroll through quintessential Tuscan villages, vineyards and cypress-flanked lanes Pass trompe l'oeil-adorned villas en route to pretty Portofino, playground of the rich and famous A walk along Portofino's postcard-perfect waterfront is a must before heading inland to Chianti Explore historic Greve in Chianti, shop for local delicacies and taste the region's best wines at a renowned enoteca.

Days 5-6 Savor full-bodied Tuscan reds and Chianti's simple hearty fare Bold balsamic vinegars dance across your tongue in ancient ridgetop Radda, of Chianti Classico fame Visit Volpaia, a medieval village-turned-winery Soak up grand pastoral panoramas from the strada bianca, surrounded by vineyards.

Guests Reviews About This Trip

Terrific experience. The locales were beautiful, food was amazing, hikes were challenging but gorgeous, ferry opportunities gave a nice water option, a great blend of seaside and Tuscan experiences.
Christine Young - Cary, NC
I had a lovely time and saw some of the most spectacular views and scenery in my life.
Karen Arnold - Westmont, IL
We love Backroads! Everything we heard about it was true - fun, professional and great service, wonderful food, super nice people on our trip that we loved getting to know, and beautiful scenery. Thank you for our first spectacular trip to Italy. We aren't sure we could have done all that on our own because it enabled us to go to small towns, meet with local people, eat at local restaurants, and workout pretty extensively (hiking) every day yet have the option to sightsee instead. I cannot recommend it enough to others.
Blake Allvine - Atlanta, GA

Casual Inns

Hotel Belvedere
Hotel Belvedere

Portovenere (1 night) This modest seaside hotel offers superb vistas of Palmaria Island and the Gulf of La Spezia from its terrace and balconies.

Hotel Jolanda
Hotel Jolanda

Santa Margherita Ligure (2 nights) Enjoy the tranquility of this family-run hotel, within walking distance of the sea.

Villa Le Barone
Villa Le Barone

Panzano (2 nights) Owned by the same family since the 1500s, this former manor house offers vistas of the surrounding countryside, olive groves and vineyards of Chianti Classico. (pool, tennis)


Amalfi Coast Walking & Hiking

From the Sorrentine Peninsula to the Isle of Capri

Dolomites Walking & Hiking

Mountain Majesty in Northern Italy

Italian Lakes Walking & Hiking

A Stylish Sojourn in the Lake District

Tuscany Walking & Hiking

Ancient Footpaths in Bella Toscana

This Trip Is Rated Level 1-4

Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level Average Time Road Bike Average Mountain Bike Average* Walk & Hike Average
Level 1 2-3 hours 10-20 miles 10-15 miles 2-5 miles
Level 2 2-4 hours 21-30 miles 16-20 miles 5-7 miles
Level 3 3-5 hours 31-40 miles 21-25 miles 7-9 miles
Level 4 4-6 hours 41-55 miles 26-30 miles 9-11 miles
Level 5 5-7+ hours 56-75+ miles 31+ miles 11-13+ miles

*Mountain bikes are used in locations where the best riding is on a combination of dirt and paved roads. View trip locations

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
  • Levels 1 to 2  2 Route Options Available
  • 2.1, 6.6 miles
  • 200 - 250 feet elevation gain
Day 2
  • Levels 3 to 5  2 Route Options Available
  • 7.6, 11.7 miles
  • 650 - 1290 feet elevation gain 
Day 3
  • Levels 1 to 3  2 Route Options Available
  • 5, 8 miles
  • 590 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
  • Level 2 1 Route Option Available
  • 6.3 miles
  • 900 feet elevation gain
Day 5
  • Levels 1 to 4 2 Route Options Available
  • 4, 9.5 miles
  • 600 - 1050 feet elevation gain 
Day 6
  • Level 1  2 Route Options Available
  • 0.5, 2.4 miles
  • 30 - 290 feet elevation gain
Terrain Description
Seaside village paths with occasional exposed cliff views, stone steps. Please note: The hilly terrain makes the routes feel more challenging than the mileage suggests.

For 33 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Cinque Terre & Tuscany tour experts. See our award-winning Europe Italy walking tours and hiking tours, Europe Italy biking tours and Europe Italy multisport tours.

Walking & Hiking

Casual Inns

6 days, 5 nights
arrow view dates

Trip Price*
  • $2,998 to $3,298 pp dbl. occ.
  • (+$890 for sgl. occ.)
Meet/Depart

La Spezia, Italy/Florence, Italy


Roll over dates below for specific prices
2012 CLASSIC DATES
2012 SINGLES+SOLOS DATES

* Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.

Trip Notes

All meals included except 2 lunches, 1 dinner

Recommended Reads

Essential trip reading

Cancellation Policy

View cancellation policy

Inside_scoop_header

You Can Have
It All

The strong local expertise that Backroads’ leaders bring combined with a deep and genuine understanding of the North American service ethic is crucial to your enjoyment…

Inside_scoop_footer

Close This Window X

Inside_scoop_big_header

You Can Have
It All

The strong local expertise that Backroads’ leaders bring combined with a deep and genuine understanding of the North American service ethic is crucial to your enjoyment… and connection on trip. We pair experienced Backroads leaders with local guides as needed on international trips. They are the best combination in the business; they know how to both cater to you and how to crack open the local culture in a way that’s meaningful. It’s neither one nor the other—it’s the magic of both.

Inside_scoop_back_button 5 of 12 Inside_scoop_next_button
Inside_scoop_dotted_hr Inside_scoop_download
You can have it all

"What an awesome trip! Taking in the culture, people, and scenery by bike is such a wonderful way to experience Thailand. The various activities planned throughout the trip, combined with great leaders and support staff made the trip very enjoyable and enriching. Thanks Backroads for some great memories and a great travel experience!"

Justine Oppenheim
Cambridge, MA

Contact a Trip Consultant today!

800-462-2848

or 510-527-1555

e-mail us

Open 7 days a week

from 7 am to 5 pm, PT

or

contact your travel agent