Last update: October 4, 2024.

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Trails in Cinque Terre: Map and Status

Cinque Terre Holiday: Via dell'Amore - the Shortest Segment of the Blue Trail.

The Blue Trail consists of 4 of the shortest hiking segments that connect all five villages of Cinque Terre.

Path of Love between Riomaggiore and Manarola, Blue Trail, Cinque Terre
Path of Love between Riomaggiore and Manarola

Exploring Cinque Terre on foot is the best way to experience it. The trails wind through cliffs, tunnels, vineyards, and forests, surrounded by stunning natural beauty. The trails offer breathtaking views of the sea and the villages of Cinque Terre.

The main trails are pedestrian routes that connect the villages. Each village is connected to its neighbor by two trails: the Blue Trail, also known as the short or lower trail, and a longer (upper) trail that traverses the hilltops and takes about twice as long to hike. That's why the short route, the Blue Trail, is the most famous.

On this page, we'll focus solely on the main Blue Trail. If you're interested in other longer trails, you can find more details on these websites:

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The Blue Trail is a paid trail. To access it, you need to purchase the Cinque Terre Card. You can buy this ticket at the train stations or directly at the entrance to the trail. For more details, read on the Cinque Terre Card page. Prices start from 7.50 euros. All other trails are free, but they may require more time and effort.

Update: To visit the Path of Love (Via dell'Amore), you must book your entry at viadellamore.info and pay an additional fee of 10 euros.

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The map marks the 5 villages of Cinque Terre (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore), as well as nearby well-known villages that can be reached on foot: Levanto and Portovenere. The famous Blue Trail is highlighted on the map in blue, while other trails are marked in orange.

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The four trails connecting the villages of Cinque Terre are known as the Blue Trail. Let's compare the key characteristics of each of them.

Riomaggiore – Manarola (The Path of Love)

The most famous trail in Cinque Terre. It is the only trail with no steps, making it suitable for strollers and people with limited mobility.

This is the most popular section. You need a Cinque Terre Card and must pay 10 euros at viadellamore.info to book your entry time.

Trail Difficulty: Very easy. Trail Length: 920 meters / 0.57 miles. Walking Time: 20 minutes.

The current condition of the route: Open. Opening date: August 09, 2024.

Path of Love between Riomaggiore and Manarola, Blue Trail, Cinque Terre
Path of Love between Riomaggiore and Manarola
Path of Love between Riomaggiore and Manarola, Blue Trail, Cinque Terre
Path of Love between Riomaggiore and Manarola

Manarola – Corniglia

This trail runs close to the sea right along a steep slope, which is why the trail is often closed for maintenance after landslides. If you're lucky and the trail is open, be sure to take a walk along it!

Trail Difficulty: Very easy. Trail Length: 2.5 kilometers / 1.5 miles. Walking Time: 45 minutes.

The current condition of the route: closed for a long period. Reason: landslides and instability of the terrain. It should fully open from May 2026. More info: only the first 300 meters (950 ft) are open (from the Manarola side).

Staircase (382 steps) to Corniglia station, Cinque Terre
Staircase (382 steps) to Corniglia station
Blue Trail towards Corniglia, Cinque Terre
Blue Trail towards Corniglia

Corniglia to Vernazza

From the trail, you'll enjoy a very beautiful view of Corniglia, Vernazza, and San Bernardino (a small village atop the hill). Unlike the previous two trails, this one has stairs as it gains an elevation of 220 meters / 700 feet above sea level. The panoramic views from this height are breathtaking.

Trail Difficulty: Easy. Trail Length: 3.2 km / 2 miles. Walking Time: 1 hour 30 minutes.

The current condition of the route: Open. Opening date: June 06, 2020.

The view of Vernazza from the trail to Corniglia, Cinque Terre
The view of Vernazza from the trail to Corniglia
Bar in the middle of the Blue Trail between Corniglia and Vernazza, Cinque Terre
Bar in the middle of the Blue Trail between Corniglia and Vernazza

Vernazza to Monterosso

From this trail, you'll have the most beautiful view of Vernazza. This stretch of the Azure Trail is one of the most popular but also one of the most strenuous due to the stairs at the beginning of the trail (in both directions). That's why many tourists only venture onto this trail to capture magnificent panoramic photos of Vernazza from its starting point. The spot where you can see Vernazza from a height is just a 5-minute walk away. For more details about these spots, read our page on “Best Spots for Photos and Videos”.

Trail Difficulty: Easy. Trail Length: 3.3 km / 2 miles. Walking Time: 1 hour 30 minutes.

The current condition of the route: Open. Opening date: June 06, 2020.

The view of Vernazza from the trail to Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre
The view of Vernazza from the trail to Monterosso al Mare
Blue Trail near Monterosso, Cinque Terre
Blue Trail near Monterosso
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All four sections of the Azure Trail are quite popular, with The Way of Love (between Riomaggiore and Manarola) being the most famous. Sometimes, certain trails may be closed for maintenance, so tourists usually visit the ones that are open at the moment. We recommend checking the trail status a week before your trip to stay informed about the latest updates.

If you're looking for more detailed information about the trails, you can explore it on the following websites:

Text printed from www.cinqueterre.holiday website