Hiking the Cinque Terre Trails: A Complete Guide
The five villages of Cinque Terre are connected by ancient mule paths along the Ligurian cliff face. Some trails are partially closed, some are spectacular, and the overall experience rewards planning.
The Trail System
The iconic Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail, Trail 2) connects all five villages — Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso — along the cliff face above the sea. The Riomaggiore-to-Manarola section (Via dell'Amore, or Path of Love) and much of the remaining trail have been subject to landslide closures in recent years. Check current status before visiting: the Cinque Terre National Park website publishes trail status weekly.
The High Trails
When the Sentiero Azzurro is partially closed (common), the high ridge trails above the villages offer a more demanding but crowd-free alternative. Trail 1 (SVA Alta Via) runs along the ridge with views down to all five villages — harder walking, fewer people, spectacular in clear conditions.
Village by Village
Vernazza is the most beautiful village — a small harbour, a medieval tower and a beach crowded with Ligurians on weekends. Manarola is the most photographed (the iconic stacked-houses-above-the-sea image). Monterosso has the longest and most accessible beach.
Practical Considerations
The Cinque Terre Card (€7.50 per day) covers the official trails and is required for trail access. Trains connect all five villages and nearby La Spezia; use the train when trails are closed.
High summer is intensely crowded — May and September are significantly better.
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