A stroll on an Italian ledge

The coastal path that links Italy's Cinque Terre threads through olive groves, vineyards and gardens.

Sometimes the path dwindles to just a narrow ledge cut into the cliff that crumbles like old cheese, gnawed by the sea hundreds of metres below.

In order to control tourist numbers, the park sells one, three or seven-day passes called Cinque Terre cards, which allow access to the coastal path and unlimited local train travel.

The most famous stretch is the Via Dell'Amore (Love's Way), joining Manarola and Riomaggiore, lined with murals of scenes from local history.

At a leisurely amble you can walk between all the villages in five hours.

If you get tired at any point, you can jump on the Genoa to La Spezia train, which stops at each village along the way.

Other paths lace the forest and vineyards, passing abandoned villages, farms and old religious communities, including the lovely Sanctuary of the Madonna di Montenero above Riomaggiore.

The hill village of Biasso is a few hours' hike or a short scenic bus ride from Manarola.

The park also has reinforced tracks for horse riding and mountain biking.

Ferry boats regularly ply their way between La Spezia, Lerici, Porto Venere and Levanto.

- NZPA