The Cinque Terre hiking trails are some of the most famous in the Mediterranean. They are also some of the most confusing to plan: some require permits, some are often closed for maintenance, and the most famous one (Via dell'Amore) has been closed for years and keeps getting its reopening date pushed back. Let me cut through the noise and tell you exactly what to expect.
Plan my trip →#1 Monterosso → Vernazza (SVA trail 592): 3.5km, 1.5-2 hours. THE best hike. Challenging but not brutal, with the most dramatic coastal views. The descent into Vernazza with the village appearing below you is peak Cinque Terre. Do this one if you only do one.
#2 Vernazza → Corniglia (SVA): 4km, 1.5 hours. Good views, some steep sections, less crowded than #1. The approach to Corniglia with its impossible staircase is memorable.
#3 Corniglia → Manarola: Currently partially on road detour (check latest status). When open on the original trail, it is lovely. When detoured, it is a hot roadside walk — skip it and take the train.
#4 Via dell'Amore (Manarola → Riomaggiore): The famous romantic path. Check if it's actually open before planning around it. It has been closed for landslide repairs since 2012 with multiple announced reopening dates that keep slipping.
The Cinque Terre Card is required for the main Sentiero Azzurro trail. Two versions:
Hiking Card: €7.50/day — trail access only. Fine if you just want to hike one or two segments.
Hiking + Train Card: €16/day or €29/2 days — includes unlimited train between all 5 villages plus trail access. This is the one to get if you plan to mix hiking and train-hopping (which is the smart strategy). Buy it at any Cinque Terre train station or online.
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