Each of the five villages has its own sanctuary on the hill above it, a Marian church at the end of an old pilgrim path, with a bench in the shade and the coast at its feet. Free, open, quieter than the coast path, and the best way to see the terraces.
For centuries, the villagers of the Cinque Terre climbed to these sanctuaries on feast days, carrying statues, candles and the sick. The paths they wore into the hillside are now the best-kept secret of the national park.
The five sanctuaries are Soviore above Monterosso, Reggio above Vernazza, San Bernardino above Corniglia, Nostra Signora della Salute at Volastra above Manarola, and Montenero above Riomaggiore. All are dedicated to the Virgin, most date from the Middle Ages, and all stand at 300 to 500 metres on the ridge, where the old villages had their chapels before the people moved down to the sea.
The climbs are short but steep, mostly on stone mule tracks through terraces, olive groves, chestnut and pine. They need no ticket and are rarely closed, which in autumn 2026, with most of the coast path shut, makes them the heart of walking here. Each is a half-day out with a picnic; strong walkers link two or three along the ridge on the Alta Via.
Times are for the climb; coming down is usually a third quicker. Follow the red-and-white CAI signs for the sanctuary's name from each village.
The highest and oldest of the five, said to be the oldest Marian sanctuary in Liguria, at about 470 metres in chestnut woods above Monterosso. The path climbs from the old town up the valley on an old paved mule track, steady and shady in places. At the top there is a bar and restaurant, a terrace with a view down the whole coast and, on very clear days, Corsica on the horizon.
The path climbs from the top of Vernazza's main street past the cemetery and a series of wayside shrines, the stations of the cross, to a sanctuary on a wooded shelf under huge, ancient cypresses and holm oaks. A spring, stone benches and a cool, shady clearing make it the best picnic spot of the five.
From Corniglia the path climbs through vines and olive groves to the hamlet of San Bernardino on the ridge at about 360 metres, with a church and a few houses. The views look south over Manarola and north to Vernazza and Monterosso, a panorama of half the coast. Can be joined to the vineyard path from Volastra.
The 12th-century Romanesque church in the hamlet of Volastra, at the top of the steep vineyard climb on trail 506. It is the first leg of the vineyard path to Corniglia, and the place to taste at Cantina Capellini on the way.
The full vineyard path →The finest view in the park. From the top of Riomaggiore the path climbs steeply through terraces and pines to the sanctuary on a ledge at about 340 metres, looking straight down on the village and along the whole coast to Portovenere and the Gulf of La Spezia. The park shuttle bus runs up on some days, so you can walk one way.
Every path starts in its village, all five on the Levanto to La Spezia railway. Park shuttle buses climb from some villages towards the sanctuaries on certain days; they are included in the Cinque Terre Card and are useful for walking one way.
Link two sanctuaries along the ridge: Montenero to Volastra via the Alta Via, or Reggio to Soviore, coming down into a different village. Or walk the vineyard path, which passes Volastra and ends below San Bernardino.
The Alta Via ridge →
Manarola to Volastra to Corniglia, through the terraces and the heart of the wine country.
The coastal Blue Path from Monterosso to Vernazza and Corniglia.
The high ridge from Portovenere to Levanto, and the headland walk over Punta Mesco.
The flat, paved Lovers' Way cut into the cliff between Riomaggiore and Manarola.
A three-hour walk round the island facing Portovenere, with a swim at Pozzale.
The old coastal railway through tunnels with windows on the sea.
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