Wide shot of Cinque Terre houses, small pier and ocean down below.

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Cinque Terre & Tuscany Hiking & Walking Tour

Coastal Italy’s Seaside Charm & Tuscan Villages

How do you say beautiful in Italian? Bellissimo. Now you’ll know how to describe this hiking journey made of warm sunlight, the azure sea, hill towns, seafood and delectable wines.

6 days, 5 nights

Deluxe Hotels

Activity Levels 2-4

Couples, Friends & Solos

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From $4,599 - $4,899/person

Itinerary Where You’ll Stay What to Know Reviews

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Trip at a Glance

Highlights

Hike trails framed by sea views and the iconic candy-colored villages of Cinque Terre’s UNESCO World Heritage coast
Taste your way through two distinctive regions, from the sea-to-table fare of the Mediterranean to Tuscany’s soulful red wines
Stroll through storybook Tuscan villages, past vineyard-draped hillsides and along serene tree‑lined country lanes
Step into Portofino’s postcard‑perfect waterfront, visit historic Radda and immerse yourself in the dramatic landscapes of the Ligurian Riviera
Stay in well-appointed family‑owned hotels, chosen for their location near Cinque Terre and Tuscany’s best trails

Sample itinerary. Trip details may vary by departure.

Start Pisa Airport & Travel Details

Walk coastal trails through terraced vineyards and olive groves
Experience Cinque Terre’s spectacular World Heritage coastline on foot and by train
Follow well-maintained paths and ancient stone walls from Riomaggiore through cliffside Manarola, peaceful Corniglia and vibrant Vernazza to Monterosso al Mare
Venture into the rugged highlands for a fresh perspective on this remarkable region
Pass elegant villas en route to chic Portofino
Stroll Portofino’s postcard-perfect waterfront
Explore the Golfo del Tigullio towns of Santa Margherita Ligure or Rapallo
Unwind at our hotel’s private beach, with time to swim and soak up the sun
Cap off each day with Mediterranean cuisine and dinners by the sea.

Hotel Continental

(Deluxe Hotel, 3 nights)

Activity Options & Terrain

Sky view of a port with blue chairs and umbrellas next to the water

Chef preparing a plate of food, including kabobs and salads

Exterior view of an orange and white hotel building with outdoor patios and palm trees in front

Exterior view of a stone building next to the ocean, with tall trees in the background

Nights 1-3

Hotel Continental

Santa Margherita Ligure

Deluxe Hotel

Just steps from the bay of Santa Margherita, this art-nouveau-style hotel delivers sweeping views of the Ligurian Sea from its panoramic perch. A path down through a garden shaded by pine and palm trees brings you to the hotel's private beach, where lounge chairs frame protected swimming coves. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

Head inland to Chianti’s quintessential Tuscan villages, vineyards and cypress-lined lanes
Hike through the medieval villages of Greve in Chianti and Panzano
Wander the narrow streets of historic Radda, the heart of Chianti Classico
Walk to a historic wine cellar for a picnic paired with local wine
Take in sweeping pastoral views from a strada bianca (white road), surrounded by vineyards and olive groves
Sample regional wines during a fun and informative tasting
Unwind each evening at our tranquil Tuscan oasis
Extend your adventure with a visit to Florence, birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and our magnificent gateway city.

Villa Le Barone

(Deluxe Hotel, 2 nights)

Activity Options & Terrain

Exterior view of two-story building covered in plants and moss

Outdoor dining patio with yellow tables, surrounded by tall trees

Outdoor infinity pool on a grassy hill, looking out to an open valley

Outdoor dirt patio with a small cottage close to the edge of a cliff

Two tall trees on a hill, looking out to an open valley

Nights 4-5

Villa Le Barone

Panzano in Chianti

Deluxe Hotel

Owned by the same family since the 1500s, this former manor house sits among olive groves and vineyards. Traditional Tuscan décor, lush gardens, tennis courts and a heated infinity pool overlooking the countryside create a relaxed setting after a day of biking quiet country roads. (pool)

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

End Florence Airport & Travel Details

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This trip has an activity level range of 2-4

Route & Terrain Notes

The hiking routes on this trip are a mix of rocky trails, paved coastal paths and country roads. In Cinque Terre, many of the coastal trails feature steps carved into natural rock, as well as steep ascents and descents. In Tuscany, the rolling terrain winds through hilly vineyards, farmlands and forests. Hiking poles, included on all Backroads Hiking & Walking trips, are especially useful on this varied terrain.

Day 1

Hiking & Walking

Level 1

3 miles

600 ft. gain; 900 ft. loss

Level 2

4 miles

800 ft. gain; 1300 ft. loss

Day 2

Hiking & Walking

Level 1

1 mile

200 ft. gain

Level 2

3 miles

1100 ft. gain; 1000 ft. loss

Level 3

5 miles

1500 ft. gain; 1600 ft. loss

Level 4

8 miles

2200 ft. gain; 2200 ft. loss

Day 3

Hiking & Walking

Level 2

5 miles

1000 ft. gain; 1000 ft. loss

Level 4

8 miles

1400 ft. gain; 1200 ft. loss

Level 4

8 miles

2000 ft. gain; 2000 ft. loss

Day 4

Hiking & Walking

Level 1

2 miles

500 ft. gain

Level 2

6 miles

1200 ft. gain; 700 ft. loss

Level 3

7 miles

1400 ft. gain; 700 ft. loss

Day 5

Hiking & Walking

Level 2

3 miles

200 ft. gain; 500 ft. loss

Level 3

5 miles

900 ft. gain; 600 ft. loss

Level 4

8 miles

1500 ft. gain; 1100 ft. loss

Day 6

Hiking & Walking

Level 2

2 miles

300 ft. gain

View Dates & Prices From $4,599/person

What to Know

What's Included

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Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Hiking in Cinque Terre National Park

Cinque Terre is a popular tourist destination with busy peak seasons including summer months and on national holidays. During these periods, crowds are common. To access the best hiking areas in the Cinque Terre, we will sometimes be riding on state-operated regional trains alongside locals and other tourists. The trains can be subject to delays and crowds during peak seasons. Because the national park is still recovering from trail damage from previous years, closures may occur. In the event of a trail closure, your Backroads Trip Leaders will have alternate hikes and activities available. For more information on the park and trail closures, please visit www.parconazionale5terre.it.

Terrain & Trail Support: Cinque Terre & Ligurian Coast

Our routes for the first three days in Cinque Terre and Ligurian Coast follow mostly narrow trails, with occasional technical sections featuring roots and stones. Significant elevation gains and losses on steps can make the routes feel more challenging than the mileage may suggest. Because of the nature of these coastal paths, vehicle support won’t be available on some days. Alternative options to move along the coast—such as local trains or ferries—are always available.

FAQs

This trip is best suited for adults who enjoy moderate walks and longer hikes with some climbs. It’s ideal for those who want to experience the colorful villages of Cinque Terre and the rolling hills of Tuscany on foot, from dramatic coastal routes to vineyard-covered landscapes.

This is a Level 2–4 Hiking & Walking trip, with shorter options covering roughly 1–5 miles and the longest options reaching around 8 miles with 2,200 feet of elevation gain. A typical day includes multiple flexible route choices—see this trip’s Activity Options & Terrain in the itinerary for day-by-day details or learn more about Backroads’ activity levels.

Cinque Terre and Tuscany offer two distinct sides of Italy. Cinque Terre features dramatic coastal trails connecting colorful seaside villages, while Tuscany offers a slower-paced experience through vineyards, olive groves and medieval hill towns. Together, they combine iconic Mediterranean scenery with the relaxed charm of the Italian countryside.

Terrain varies throughout the trip. In Cinque Terre, trails include dirt paths, stone steps and some uneven, rocky footing along the coast. In Tuscany, trails are generally gentler, following well-packed dirt roads through vineyards and rolling countryside.

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