Last Sunday, we spent some of our time for a walk in nature, opting for a beautiful trail, the one connecting Manarola to Corniglia, passing in between vineyards and the sea.
We left Levanto by Cinque Terre Express train in the afternoon to avoid the hottest hours and the bulk of tourist flows in the Cinque Terre.
Not having too athletic minds, once we arrived in Manarola, we have reached the Info Point Park located at the station to buy bus tickets to Volastra.
Each village is, in fact, connected to its surroundings by bus, the “ecological Green Bus.” The ticket costs € 1.50 if purchased at the Info Point or € 2 if directly on the bus. For those who have the Cinque Terre Card is included.
Manarola to Corniglia
The bus to Volastra leaves from the post office and, given the limited seating, you should be at the bus stop with a little advance. However, if you plan on taking it, you might consider buying the Cinque Terre Card!
In a few minutes, you are in Volastra, a tiny village perched on a hill among vineyards, olive groves, and the sea. A small pearl.
The path from Manarola to Corniglia, No. 586 to Case Pianca and then-No. 587, ex-7a 6d CAI starts from underneath the Sanctuary of Nostra Signora della Salute (Roman, dating between X and XI century), and from the very beginning, it offers breathtaking views.
The trail
The first half of the trail winds through vertical vineyards, and the step slows down to admire meter after meter the different perspective, the landscapes, colorless … a poem in images.
The vineyard in the Cinque Terre replaced the forests centuries ago when the population began to work the rock to build the terraces supported by miles of dry stone walls made with sandstone and gravel.
A huge work, which not only allows growing the vine, but it is essential for the stability of the hydrogeology of our territory. A work that is likely to be lost due to the new lifestyle. A job that must be protected and rewarded.
Vittorio G. Rossi wrote: “Liguria will not remain in history for discovering America and playing the violin of Paganini, but because of the first man who, from a cliff on the breakers of the sea, has given rise to a bunch of grapes “(from” The dog barks at the moon “).
After about half an hour’s walk, you will reach the village of Porciano, where the trail leaves the vineyards for the forest of pines, oaks, and Mediterranean bush. Not without one last glance at Manarola …
Walking among terraces now abandoned and then recaptured by the forest has the advantage of giving a little fresh and different smell.
A symphony for the nose! At one point, where the forest thickens, you can see the immense dry stone walls and the staircase that descends to Case Pianca. At this point, the path to be taken is No. 587, ex No. 7 of the CAI.
From here, it is all downhill, and the pavement on which you are walking has hundreds of years, and it’s beautiful! Finally, you will reach the village just behind the San Pietro Church.
Once we arrived, we had great ice cream and a walk in the narrow and characteristic Via Fieschi, up to the viewpoint of Santa Maria, which offers a fascinating view.
- The path marked in red and white
- Walking time: about 60 minutes
- Appropriate footwear essential.
