Trek Liguria — Cinque Terre National Park, Italy

The Blue Trail (Sentiero Azzurro) — Five Villages of the Cinque Terre

A coastal footpath threading the five cliff-clinging villages of the Cinque Terre — Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore — above terraced vineyards and the Ligurian Sea.

Duration: 1 day
Distance: 12 km
Ascent: 600 m
Difficulty: Moderate
Best season: Late spring and early autumn (May–June, September–October); summer is hot and crowded

The Sentiero Azzurro is the classic coastal walk of the Cinque Terre, linking five UNESCO-listed fishing villages strung along a rugged stretch of the Ligurian Riviera. It runs above dry-stone-walled vineyard terraces, through olive groves and past little chapels, dropping into each pastel village in turn before climbing back to the cliffs.

It is not a wilderness trek — you are never far from a village, a café or a train — but the exposed, stepped sections are steeper and more demanding than many visitors expect, and the whole route makes a full and rewarding day on foot.

Getting there. The five villages sit on the Genoa–La Spezia railway; frequent local trains connect them in a few minutes each, so you can walk one leg and ride back, or skip any closed section entirely. La Spezia and Levanto are the usual gateways.

Trail card & closures. The marked coastal path requires a Cinque Terre Trekking Card (around €7.50), sold at park offices and stations. Landslides close sections regularly — the Corniglia–Manarola leg has often been shut, while the famous Via dell’Amore between Manarola and Riomaggiore reopened in 2024 after years of closure. Always check the day’s status before setting out.

Good to know:

Start early: the exposed cliff paths bake in summer and the villages fill by mid-morning.
Wear proper shoes — the trail is largely stone steps, and hundreds of them, not a flat promenade.

Tips & Insights for this route Planning this route? Read our practical tips before you go — 6 tips. Read the tips

Day 1

Monterosso to Riomaggiore — the five villages

Monterosso al Mare → Riomaggiore 12 km 600 m

Navigate this day

Walk the whole Blue Trail from Monterosso in the north to Riomaggiore in the south, tackling the steep open cliff sections first while the legs are fresh and finishing on the gentle seaside path. Use the train to skip any leg that is closed.

Segments

Monterosso to Vernazza 3.8 km 200 m Map

Monterosso al Mare → Vernazza

Steep stepped cliff path

The longest and steepest leg, climbing hundreds of stone steps out of Monterosso through vineyards and pines before a photogenic descent into Vernazza and its natural harbour. About 2 hours.

About this place

Vernazza is a town and comune located in the province of La Spezia, Liguria, northwestern Italy. It is one of the five towns that make up the Cinque Terre region. Vernazza is the fourth town heading north, has no car traffic, and remains one of the truest "fishing villages" on the Italian Riviera. It is the only natural port of Cinque Terre and is famous for its elegant houses.
Read more on Wikipedia
Vernazza to Corniglia 3.5 km 200 m Map

Vernazza → Corniglia

Terraced hillside path

A rolling path through olive groves and terraced vineyards with sweeping sea views back to Vernazza, ending with the climb up to Corniglia, the one village perched on a headland rather than at the water. About 1.5–2 hours.
Corniglia to Manarola 2.8 km 100 m Map

Corniglia → Manarola

Coastal path (frequently closed by landslides)

Down the Lardarina, a long brick staircase of nearly 400 steps, then a low coastal path toward Manarola. This leg is often closed for landslide repairs — check first and take the train if so. About 1 hour when open.
Manarola to Riomaggiore — Via dell'Amore 1 km 20 m Map

Manarola → Riomaggiore

Paved seaside promenade

The Via dell'Amore, the 'Way of Love', an easy paved cliffside promenade reopened in 2024 after long closure — a gentle 20-minute stroll to finish the trail in Riomaggiore.