The trail (SVA2) starts from the enchanting small port of Vernazza and from its opposite square (Street View 1 ), dominated by the church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia, dating back to the XIV century, on the left and the Doria castle on the right ( ).

The hike from Vernazza to Monterosso (part of the Sentiero Azzurro or Blue Trail) starts at a staircase directly across from the pharmacy (Farmacia) in the center of Vernazza. As you walk up the main street (Via Roma) away from the harbor, look for the green cross of the pharmacy on your left; the trailhead is on the right-hand side. The path begins with a fairly steep climb of stone stairs that quickly takes you above the village for that iconic "postcard" view of Vernazza's colorful houses and harbor. You will need a Cinque Terre Card to access this section of the trail, which can be purchased at the train station or at the checkpoint shortly after you start the ascent. The hike is roughly 3.6 kilometers (2.2 miles) and takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. In 2026, hikers are encouraged to start early in the morning to avoid the intense Mediterranean sun and the heavy crowds that can make the narrow, cliffside sections of the path quite congested.