ago work commenced on the construction of the dry stone walls that characterize the Cinque Terre landscape. The terrace walls, built with only stone and soil, cover over 6,700 kilometers. The steep mountainsides were terraced to allow for viticulture and other agricultural uses. Because of the uniqueness of this territory, the Cinque Terre have been named by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The area has also been designated a National Park to protect the characteristic landscape. The Cinque Terre National Park is actively involved in recuperating and maintaining abandoned terraces.
In 1997 the waters of the Cinque Terre were made a Marine Protected Area to safeguard the diverse range of marine life and vegetation that are present, including several rare types of coral.
To maintain the territory and trails of the Cinque Terre, the National Park has instituted a fee for the use of park services. To make your stay in the Cinque Terre easier, the National Park offers the "Cinque Terre Card", which can be used to access the coastal path #2, serviced areas of the park, and public transportation within each village. There is also a "Cinque Terre Card + Train", which includes unlimited train service between La Spezia and Levanto. A hiking trail map is included with the card. The card can be purchased at any of the park offices, located in each village's train station and at the La Spezia train station.
