There are many ways to visit the Cinque Terre. You can take the train from one village to the next, stop for a swim, follow the most famous paths, take a few photos and move on.
Or you can slow down a little and let someone who knows this landscape help you read it properly.
That is exactly what the Cinque Terre Walking Park is for: a seasonal calendar of guided hikes, visits and outdoor experiences organised by the Cinque Terre National Park, designed to help travellers discover the territory beyond the postcard view.
From 1 May to 31 October 2026, the programme includes nature treks, guided visits, boat trips, snorkelling, cycling, winery visits, foraging experiences and walks through villages, terraces, sanctuaries and coastal landscapes.
For guests staying at the Oasi Eco Boutique Hotel in Levanto, it is one of the best ways to explore the Cinque Terre with more awareness, especially if you enjoy walking, local stories, wine landscapes and the quieter side of the Park.
What is the Cinque Terre Walking Park?
The Cinque Terre Walking Park is the official programme of guided activities organised in the Cinque Terre National Park during the warmer months of the year.
The idea is simple, and very useful: instead of walking alone without context, you can join expert guides and discover the Park through its trails, villages, vineyards, dry-stone walls, Mediterranean vegetation, marine environment and local traditions.
The programme usually includes different types of experiences:
- Guided hikes along the Park’s trail network;
- Historical walks in the Cinque Terre villages;
- Nature walks and biodiversity experiences;
- Winery visits and wine landscape tours;
- Snorkelling and marine protected area activities;
- Cycling and e-bike experiences;
- Foraging walks dedicated to spontaneous herbs and traditional knowledge;
- Special events connected to local culture, saints’ days, sunsets and seasonal themes.
It is a lovely option if you want to understand what you are looking at, because the Cinque Terre are not only colourful houses and sea views. They are also terraced vineyards, stone walls, steep paths, tiny sanctuaries, old mule tracks, human effort and a fragile balance between nature, agriculture and tourism.
Why join a guided excursion in the Cinque Terre?
The Cinque Terre are beautiful, but they are also delicate.
The landscape has been shaped over centuries by people who cultivated steep slopes, built dry-stone walls, planted vines and olive trees, and created paths that we often walk for pleasure today. A guide can help you see this more clearly.
Joining a guided excursion can be useful if you want to:
- Walk with someone who knows the trails and the territory;
- Discover villages, sanctuaries and landscapes with more context;
- Learn about vineyards, dry-stone walls, Mediterranean vegetation and local traditions;
- Avoid choosing a route only because it is famous;
- Understand which paths are more suitable for your walking level;
- Travel in a more responsible and respectful way.
For many travellers, the Cinque Terre Walking Park is also a good way to avoid the “rush from village to village” feeling. You still visit beautiful places, but at a slower pace and with a clearer sense of where you are.
Who can take part?
The Cinque Terre Walking Park activities are generally included among the services of the Cinque Terre Card, both the Trekking Card and the Train Card, unless otherwise specified. Some free events may also be scheduled.
Booking is required, and the number of participants is limited, usually to a maximum of 15 people.
For information and reservations, the Park indicates:
Email: visiteguidate@ati5terre.it
Telephone: +39 0187 743500
We always recommend checking the official programme before organising your day, because dates, routes and activities may change depending on weather, trail conditions or organisational needs.
Where do the excursions start?
Departures usually take place from one of the Cinque Terre National Park Welcome Centres, located at the railway stations of the Cinque Terre villages.
The only exception concerns excursions in the Tramonti area, west of the protected area, which may have different meeting points.
This makes it quite easy to join the programme if you are staying in Levanto. From the Oasi, you can walk to Levanto railway station in about 350 metres, take the train to the village where your activity starts, and meet the guide directly at the Park Welcome Centre.
It is one of the reasons we often suggest Levanto as a relaxed base for visiting the Cinque Terre: you can leave your car at the hotel, take the train, and choose guided activities without having to deal with parking in the villages.
What to wear and bring
This is important: the Cinque Terre trails are not urban promenades.
The National Park reminds visitors that the paths are comparable to mountain trails and are intended for people with good hiking experience. Proper hiking footwear with a non-slip sole is required, and a Vibram-type sole is recommended.
Before joining a guided hike, we suggest bringing:
- Proper hiking shoes with non-slip soles;
- A reusable water bottle;
- Layered clothing;
- A hat and sunscreen in warm weather;
- A light rain jacket if the forecast is uncertain;
- Trekking poles if you usually walk with them;
- A small snack;
- Your Cinque Terre Card;
- A charged phone;
- A little patience and flexibility.
And yes, bring your camera too. Just remember to look up from it often.
Weather, safety and trail changes
In the Cinque Terre, weather matters.
Rain, heat, wind, trail maintenance and safety conditions can all affect the programme. In case of adverse weather, the calendar may be changed, and activities may be cancelled or modified.
This is not a small detail. The Cinque Terre are steep, exposed and fragile, and some paths can become slippery or unsafe very quickly after rain.
Before setting off, always check:
- The official Park updates;
- The trail status;
- The weather forecast;
- The meeting point and time;
- Whether your chosen activity is still confirmed.
At the Oasi, we are always happy to help you check the practical details before you leave, especially if you are planning an early-morning hike.
One-way route on the Blue Path between Monterosso and Vernazza
During peak visitor days in 2026, the Park has introduced a one-way system on the Verde Azzurro Trail, also known as the Blue Path, from Monterosso to Vernazza.
The one-way route applies from Monterosso towards Vernazza, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, on selected dates published by the Park. The measure is designed to improve safety during days with high visitor numbers.
For 2026, the dates currently indicated by the Park are:
- 4, 5 and 6 April;
- 1 and 2 May;
- 14 May;
- 30 and 31 May;
- 1 June.
If you plan to walk this section, always check the official updates before leaving, as rules may change based on visitor flows, weather, or safety needs.
The rest of the trail network offers many alternatives, including coastal, mid-hill and ridge paths. Sometimes the best walk is not the most famous one, but the one that gives you enough space to enjoy where you are.
Maps and useful links
Before walking in the Cinque Terre National Park, it is worth checking the official maps and trail information.
You can use:
Online map to download:
https://pn5t.wetransfer.com/downloads/d3454139a941e7a860bcf77e488be58520230830073451/16e0ef
Cinque Terre National Park trail web app:
https://www.pn5t.it/mappe/#/
The web app is particularly useful because it allows you to explore the trail network and plan your route with more awareness.
I would still avoid improvising too much. Distances in the Cinque Terre can be deceptive: a route may look short on the map, but include steep climbs, steps, exposed sections and uneven surfaces.
Staying in Levanto for the Cinque Terre Walking Park
If you are planning to join one or more Cinque Terre Walking Park activities, Levanto is a very practical base.
From the Oasi Eco Boutique Hotel, you can reach the railway station on foot, take the train to the Cinque Terre village where your guided activity starts, and return to Levanto after the hike for a quieter evening by the sea.
This works especially well if you want to combine:
- Guided hikes in the National Park;
- Time at the beach;
- A more relaxed stay outside the busiest villages;
- Private parking at the hotel, according to your rate or package;
- Local restaurants and walks in Levanto;
- A slower rhythm before and after your excursions.
The Cinque Terre are wonderful, but they can be intense. Levanto gives you a little more space to breathe between one trail and the next.
A few final tips from the Oasi
Book your guided activity in advance, especially in spring, on weekends and during holiday periods.
Choose your hike based on your actual walking level, not just the views you saw online.
Start early when possible, especially in warm weather.
Do not underestimate the climbs. The Cinque Terre are vertical, and that is exactly why they are so beautiful.
Carry water, wear proper shoes and check trail conditions before leaving.
And once you are there, take your time. The best part of walking in the Cinque Terre is not only reaching the next village, but understanding what lies between one village and the next: terraces, silence, sea, stone, herbs, vineyards, and the patient work of generations.
FAQ
What is the Cinque Terre Walking Park?
The Cinque Terre Walking Park is the official seasonal programme of guided hikes, visits and outdoor experiences organised by the Cinque Terre National Park.
When does the Cinque Terre Walking Park take place in 2026?
The 2026 programme runs from 1 May to 31 October, with guided hikes, village visits, boat trips, snorkelling, cycling, winery visits and other Park activities.
Are the guided excursions included in the Cinque Terre Card?
Yes, the initiatives are generally included among the services of the Cinque Terre Card, both Trekking Card and Train Card, unless otherwise specified. Some free events may also be scheduled.
Is booking required?
Yes. Booking is required, and the number of participants is limited. The Park limits the activities to a maximum of 15 people.
Where do the guided hikes start?
Departures usually take place from the Park Welcome Centres located in the railway stations of the Cinque Terre villages, except for some excursions in the Tramonti area.
Do I need hiking shoes?
Yes. Proper hiking footwear with a non-slip sole is required. The Park recommends shoes with a Vibram-type sole.
Are the Cinque Terre trails difficult?
Some paths can be demanding. The Park reminds visitors that the Cinque Terre trails are comparable to mountain paths and are intended for people with good hiking experience.
Can excursions be cancelled because of bad weather?
Yes. In case of adverse weather conditions, the programme may change, and activities may be cancelled or modified.
Is Levanto a good base for joining the Cinque Terre Walking Park?
Yes. Levanto is a practical and relaxed base because you can reach the Cinque Terre villages by train, join guided activities from the Park Welcome Centres and return to a quieter seaside town after your hike.
