Cinque Terre Coastal Trail, Liguria
The Cinque Terre is five pastel-coloured fishing villages pinned to vertiginous Ligurian cliffs above a sea of impossible blue. The trails linking them — particularly the stretch between Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare — deliver some of the most dramatic coastal walking in Europe.
The Best Trail Sections
The Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail, SVA No. 2) is the classic high-level path. The Vernazza–Monterosso section (about 3.8 km, 1.5–2 hours) is the most spectacular: it climbs steeply through terraced vineyards and opens onto repeated clifftop panoramas before dropping into Monterosso's beach.
The Corniglia–Vernazza section (4 km, around 90 minutes) is quieter and equally beautiful, passing ancient dry-stone walls draped in agave and wild rosemary. Note that sections of the Sentiero Azzurro between Riomaggiore and Corniglia have been intermittently closed due to landslides — always check the official Cinque Terre National Park website before you go.
Getting There and Staying Sane
The Cinque Terre Express train connects La Spezia to all five villages in under 30 minutes and runs frequently from 6 am to midnight. Buy a Cinque Terre Card (€7.50/day) which covers the train and trail access fees — the trails now charge an entry fee of €7.50 per person.
Visit in May–June or September–October to avoid the crushing summer crowds. Monterosso has the best beach; Vernazza has the most photogenic harbour; Manarola has the most-photographed evening view. Stay overnight in any of the five villages to experience them after the day-trippers leave.
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