Corniglia to Manarola

Another favorite hike in Cinque Terre is Corniglia to Manarola, taking the train two stops (7 minutes) south from Monterosso, walking along the tracks to the steps up to town, and climbing the 382 steps up to the street.

Along the tracks and up the steps

At the top, we proceed up a side street off of which the path heads up from the town.

Starting up the trail

Corniglia rapidly grows smaller in the distance as we climb for a while.

Corniglia and Monterosso in the distance

Heading up

Corniglia, Monterosso in the far distance

Soon the path levels off and we continue along the ridge, with a few ups and downs to keep our attention.

Continuing along the ridge

Manarola starting to appear

A few more elevation changes

Further along the ridge

We round a corner, emerge from the forest, and follow the path through hillsides covered with vines for the fabulous local wines of the region.  Manarola is now in view and we continue through the vineyards toward our destination.

Path through the vineyards

Hillsides covered with vines

It's early in the season and the grapes are just emerging on the vines.  We'll be back in a few months when they are ready for picking, but now they're small and green.

Young grapes

Although our destination is getting closer, we still have to pass through Volastra on the hill above Manarola and we stop to peek into the chapel at the top of town:  Nostra Signora Della Salute.

Manarola down below

Nostra Signora Della Salute

We continue through Volastra and take the 1,200 or so steps down the hill to Manarola, enter the village, and catch a train to Riomaggiore, the next community south and the lowest of the five Cinque Terre villages.

Steps down to Manarola

Passing through Manarola

Now, it's time for lunch!