Where does Monterosso to Vernazza trail start?

This trail is about 12 km long and can be hiked in either direction starting from either Monterosso or from Riomaggiore. It is also, of course, possible to hike only certain sections of the trail and visit other villages along the way by either train, boat or bus.



The world-famous hiking trail from Monterosso to Vernazza (part of the Sentiero Azzurro or Blue Path) starts in the "Old Town" (Centro Storico) of Monterosso al Mare. To find the trailhead, you should walk toward the eastern end of the village, past the train station and the main sandy beach, heading through the pedestrian tunnel into the historic district. The path begins near the Hotel Porto Roca; you will see a green metal gate and a ticket booth where you must show your "Cinque Terre Card." The trail immediately starts with a demanding, steep ascent of stone steps that winds through ancient lemon groves and vineyards. For 2026 hikers, it is important to remember that this trail is roughly 3.6 kilometers (2.2 miles) long and takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to complete; the "quintessential" photo opportunity occurs at the end of the hike during the final descent, where the entire colorful harbor of Vernazza is suddenly revealed from above.

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You can start from either direction (Monterosso, heading south, or Riomaggiore, heading north). But here's a tip: Start from Riomaggiore, where the paths are easier and paved, and work your way up to the more challenging trails. That way, you can stop at any time? and head to the nearest train station if you have to!

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To get the hardest hiking over with first, start in Monterosso. Once you reach Corniglia, and assuming all of the trails are open, the easier sections will be at the end. For those who are very ambitious, there are trails that go even higher into the mountains for some of the best views of the area.

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Monterosso Al Mare to Vernazza The trail portion between Monterroso Al Mare and Vernazza is the most difficult and challenging of all Cinque Terre trails. There are lots of narrow steps and stairs to hike up and down. You have to climb lots of hills up and down. Remember that you can hike in either direction.

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Hiking trail Levanto - Monterosso The trail starts on the east end of the beach promenade in Levanto by stairs up to the castle (castello). This path is an old donkey trail and goes through pine forests and Mediterranean vegetation. Nice views over Levanto as you climb the hill.

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You have to skip Corniglia situated on top of a cliff 100 metres above sea level. If you are limited on time, take the train between the villages.

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Experience this 2.1-mile point-to-point trail near Corniglia, Liguria. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 14 min to complete.

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Do this hike when you go, it adds so much to the experience, it's definitely worth the effort of the two-hour hike. Monterosso al Mare to Vernazza was just one section of the Cinque Terres region, some routes are closed off due to landslides but there are alternatives and still plenty of hiking to be done.

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Head out on this 2.3-mile point-to-point trail near Vernazza, Liguria. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 22 min to complete. This is a very popular area for birding and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.

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If you start on the Monterosso end, you will have the toughest part of the climb early on. Once you get halfway, the rest of the way to Vernazza is pretty gradual and not nearly as tough as the first part. The views are spectacular, especially looking back at Monterosso, and then seeing Vernazza on your approach.

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The most popular of these paths is the Sentiero Azzurro (blue trail) and it shows up as blue on most maps. Although it can be rigorous at times, it is the easiest, most direct route between Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso.

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Vernazza beach In Vernazza, there is a small sandy beach (good for kids as well), and you can also swim at the end of the pier, among the boats.

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There are several walking trails with picturesque landscape running across the place, numerous old castles and ancient structures and a few beaches. Cinque Terre is an ideal location for a solo travel.

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Corniglia is the only one of the five Cinque Terre towns that isn't a fishing town and you need to walk up around 365 steps to get there. That puts most people off and means that Corniglia is the Cinque Terre town with the fewest tourists.

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Corniglia is the smallest and quietest of the Cinque Terre villages. It is located 100 meters above sea level, on top of a small promontory. Houses are a bit different here, smaller and wider, similar to the houses of the villages inland.

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