We give tips and advice how to keep costs low but still enjoy the best that the Cinque Terre has to offer. The hike can be done in either direction. 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.
People Also Ask
Monterosso Al Mare to VernazzaThe 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.
If you want a much easier hike, definitely hike from Vernazza to Monterosso (and not vice versa). The trail is much easier and Monterosso has the best beach of all five villages — so you can relax on the beach after your hike! Be sure to bring water and snacks on your hike!
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.
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!
Vernazza: Located to the north of the Cinque Terre, Vernazza is probably the most beautiful and picturesque fishing village of Cinque Terre, where its colourful houses hang above the sea level on rugged cliffs. It has a charming natural port and an old castle, built to protect the area from pirates.
The most beautiful Cinque Terre town from above is Vernazza – projecting to the sea on a rocky cliff, its tightly packed houses and medieval tower look almost surreal when arriving from Corniglia on foot.
Yes you can wear sandals to dinner, but on a rocky trail they could be a problem. A quick google search indicates that no flip flops, sandals, or pumps are allowed on the trails between the towns (fines range from 50-2500 euros depending on the intensity of a rescue mission).
Overtourism in a fragile areaFabrizia Pecunia, the mayor of Riomaggiore, came up with the new plan for the 3,215- foot-long path to combat overtourism. Last year, about three million tourists visited Cinque Terre, a fragile national park. In contrast, there are fewer than 4,000 residents left in the area.
Some portions of the trail are very easy to walk, such as the paved section connecting Riomaggiore to Manarola, and other sections climb up and over hillsides with spectacular views along the coast. It takes about 5 hours to hike the entire distance, not counting the time to explore and linger in each town.
The towns can be visited by bus, boat, train, or by hiking trail. We chose the hiking option. There is a 11 km trail (called the Blue Trail) connecting Riomaggiore to Monterosso al Mare.
Skip town at midday.Cruisers and day-trippers start pouring into the Cinque Terre around 10 a.m. and typically head out by 5 p.m. Those midday hours are your time to hit the beach or find a hike away from the main trails.
Corniglia is the smallest of the towns, and will have more limited options for accommodations and restaurants. Vernazza is probably the most popular of the towns (I won't speculate on the reason for that), so it's often very crowded during the daytimes, and busy in the evenings.
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.
Leaving Corniglia station behind (Street View 1 ), take the flat road that runs along the long wall of the railway up to the foot of via Lardarina, a rather easy staircase consisting of 33 ramps, for a total of 377 steps (photo 360°).
The Via dell'Amore, from Riomaggiore to ManarolaNo matter how many trails you've walks its hard not to fall in love with the Cinque Terre on this “Lover's Lane.” Wide, flat and paved, it is by far, the easiest section of Trail #2. And it's famous for its kissing statue and tunnel covered in declarations of love!