Off the Beaten Track Adventures in Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is a premier location to find fantastic outdoor adventures. However, it’s well known that the five towns of Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera experience an overwhelming rush of visitors, especially in the prime vacation times. Tour groups following their leaders’ flags choke the main streets and trains.  The more hardy hikers spill over the narrow main trail between Monterrosso and Vernazza. They squeeze by slower walkers like they are in the passing lane of the Autostrada.

However, we found ways to enjoy the natural beauty of Cinque Terre without being part of the horde.

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Stay Local for Cinque Terre Outdoor Adventures 

By overnighting in Manarola for our four-day stay we enjoyed the peaceful mornings when the town was just waking up. Watching the fishermen launch their boats or visiting the shopkeepers pulling their displays out before the crowds descended made us feel as if we were part of the life of a small village.

Based in Manarola, we could take a morning dip in the Mediterranean before the young boys started jumping off the rocks sending tidal waves to disturb our quiet float.  The aqua blue pool for swimming right in front of the town landing in Manarola gets busy mid-day. Continue on the now-closed coastal trail toward Corniglia and there is a more secluded beach just before the trail closure barrier.   

From my experience, the tour groups and other tourists arrive very promptly at 10 am. They are dropped off from buses above the town or start to fill the trains early.  You can check the La Spezia cruise schedule to find out if a mob will arrive that day.

Where to Stay in Manarola, Cinque Terre for Outdoor Adventures

The best places to stay in Manarola will have a view of the harbor with a nightly show of the sun setting over the Ligurian Sea. We enjoyed watching the village life from the balcony of our accommodation.

Affittacamere Nuova Vandiris has a fantastic view of the coastline and sunsets. This charming guest house has a garden and is a short walk to the village.

Olimpo Affittacamere has a historic charm and is close to great restaurants. The patio overlooking the colorful houses of Manarola and the harbor is superb.

For a more luxurious stay in the heart of Manarola, choose Arpaiu. The views from the rooftop terrace are otherworldly. This hotel is a relaxing oasis after exploring Cinque Terre’s off-the-beaten-path outdoor adventures.

You can also stay in rent-by-owner accommodations in Cinque Terre.

Get an Early Start on the Trails 

And take the trail less traveled.  My early morning hike from Manarola to Corniglia was a mix of coastline scenery and local vineyard culture.  I actually started in Volastra to get a jump on the hike (and avoid the arduous stairs up the hill) by taking a morning bus to the top.  This made for early easy-going walking starting at the requisite Ligurian church and meandering through vineyards and chestnut forests.  Wide panoramas of the sea and the towns of Cinque Terre came into view at each turn. I watched the careful hand harvesting of the grapes and the mechanical monorails that moved the grapes to the winery. Definitely worth getting out of bed. 

At the end of my hike, other hikers complained their way up the steep trail out of Corniglia. At the same time, I enjoyed the downhill switchbacks into town, dreaming of new flavors of gelato.  

Go Sea Kayaking in Cinque Terre

And make sure you “go the other way”—that is, kayak from Riomaggiore toward Portovenere.  So while visiting some of the five towns from the sea is tempting, the deserted beaches and sea caves on the rocky coast south of Riomaggiore were our own private playground. Right on the Riomaggiore waterfront, you can rent single or double sit-upon kayaks.  The kayak company adds a sturdy dry bag and snorkel gear to the rental package of the boat, PFD, and paddle. They give great tips on sights to see on the kayak trip. 

Related Post -> Best Sea Kayak Trip on Kefalonia Island in Greece

If you aren’t confident with your sea kayaking skills, join a tour to see the incredible scenery from the water. Click on the link to book with free cancellation if plans change.

Sea Caves of Cinque Terre

After a short paddle, we had a sunny stretch of cobble beach all to ourselves.  Snorkeling off the beach yielded a few colorful fish. Although it wasn’t the Caribbean, there was plenty to see in the turquoise water.  The highlights of the day were the sea caves.  Arrgh, I fancied myself a pirate as I visited these briny hideouts with their liquid rock formations. I carefully considered the tide and surf before venturing inside as one rogue wave can crack your noggin on the cave ceiling.  In addition, the oil on your hands can destroy the natural deposition of dissolved minerals that make the cave formations. So don’t touch! 

Related post -> Sea Kayaking to the Benagil Cave in the Algarve

We could kayak forever along the gorgeous coast. Eventually, we turned back after exploring another beach with a freshwater river entering the Liguria Sea through a natural tunnel festive in emerald green.  We found more sea caves to explore on the return. I marveled at the torturous, folded rock of the cliffs and the vineyards draped on the hills.  The endless short walls built to reinforce the sleep hills are said to equal the Great Wall of China in total length.

Related post -> Best Sea Kayaking on the Mani Peninsula

Wrap Up of Off the Beaten Track Outdoor Adventures in Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is a true gem of the Italian coast. However, it can also be a crowded place teeming with day visitors. The secret to finding pockets of outdoor adventures beyond the crowds is to follow the ideas I’ve outlined here.

For more tips on paddling in Cinque Terre, check out this guide to kayaking in Cinque Terre.

Being able to see the natural areas of Cinque Terre without a thousand new friends is possible with a little advanced planning, an ability to go against the flow, and a good alarm clock.

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Looking for more off-the-beaten-track ideas in the US? Check these in Vermont.