Vineyard Trail from Riomaggiore to Corniglia via Volastra

The path above the coast: from Riomaggiore to Manarola and then via Groppo, Volastra and Case Pianca to Corniglia, between dry-stone walls, vines and olive trees, with the sea always on one side. The park's map gives it as the terraced vineyard landscape itinerary: 8.3 km and about 3 h 15 min, for experienced hikers. It is free and much quieter than the Sentiero Azzurro.

The route step by step

1. Riomaggiore – Manarola along the top. The path leaves the top of Riomaggiore and crosses the hillside via Costa Corniolo to Manarola, above the Via dell'Amore.
2. Manarola – Volastra (trail 506). It climbs the valley, to the right of the Groppo stream. At Piè di Fiesse it follows the road towards Groppo for a stretch, leaves it to scramble up among olive trees, passes the chapel of San Michele and climbs an easy staircase to Volastra. This is the hard part: a good share of the day's ascent is here.
3. Volastra. A hamlet of stone houses around the church of Nostra Signora della Salute, with a drinking-water fountain and some facilities.
4. Volastra – Case Pianca (trail 586, closed now). It leaves from the church square and runs almost level, just below the road, among the DOC vines of Le Coste and their dry-stone walls, to Case Porciana. Then it enters a pine wood that has grown over abandoned vineyards. It is 2.4 km, 121 m of ascent and about 50 minutes.
5. Case Pianca – Corniglia (trail 587). From the junction below Case Pianca you go down among vines to Corniglia, which awaits you on top of its cliff. The railway station is below.

What you can do while the 586 remains closed

Climb from Manarola to Volastra on the 506, walk round the hamlet and come back: go down the same path or take the park minibus, included in the Cinque Terre Card. On the way up you pass Groppo, where the cooperative winery is, so you can end the morning with a tasting. The 506 continues beyond Volastra through the woods to the Monte Marvede saddle: in all it is 4 km and 635 m of ascent from Manarola, about 2 h 40 min, in case you want to go further.

Difficulty, water and shade

The path is signposted with the park's red and white marks and numbers. The climb from Manarola is continuous and with steps; the stretch between Volastra and Case Pianca, when it opens, is almost flat. There are fountains at Volastra and at the junction of trails 502 and 506V. On the terraces there is almost no shade: in summer set out first thing and bring at least a litre and a half of water.

Hiking boots or trainers with a good sole: there are stone steps, narrow stretches and, after rain, slippery rock.

When to go

From March to June and from September to November, in good weather. The grape harvest, in late September and early October, is when you see the terraces being worked. In rain or an orange alert do not set out: the park closes the trails and asks anyone already on the route to return to the villages.

With a dog and with children

With a dog you can, on a lead and with water for it. For children it is demanding because of the climb and lack of shade; from about age 10 and used to walking.

If you are looking for the coastal path, the Sentiero Azzurro between Monterosso and Corniglia is open with the Cinque Terre Card, and the train takes you back to any village.