Visiting Cinque Terre and hiking on the coastline between the villages of the UNESCO National Park on the famous and bellissimo Blue Path or Sentiero Azzuro was a destination on my mind for years and a bucket list item.
As a fun fact, a similar snapshot of the feature picture of Fegina Beach in Monterosso al Mare with the sea and the orange umbrellas is my phone screenshot since the second half of 2021. Vision becomes reality.
The Mediterranean vegetation of the Cinque Terre is very rich. I was drawn by the fact that you can combined an active morning hiking in nature with afternoon swimming and beach time. Visiting in the first half of June during the week turned out to be a good time, to avoid overcrowding and explore the region in a pleasant weather. Perfetto!
Cinque Terre card
As briefly mentioned in the first Cinque Terre story, in order to hike the Blue Path or Sentiero Azzuro between the villages, a card must be bought. It can be purchased at the train stations or better, online. All profits go to the National Park, is a sustainable way to travel, and is helping the local economy. There are also other trails in the area outside the Blue Path that are free of change.
There are two types of cards, one only for hiking and a second one that includes additionally all the coastal regional train connecting the five villages (valid also from Levanto until La Spezia). Plus, a third way to admire the views is by boat. Since I stayed in Cinque terre, I received from the hotel a code for a considerable discount on the 2 days full pass. Even though is not as pricey as the Amalfi coast, the accommodation in this region is also quite expensive due to its popularity.
Sections in the Blue Path
Normally there are 4 sections between the villages, but the first two between Riomaggiore – Manarola (or Via dell’Amore) and Manarola – Corniglia are closed due to restoration. Even when it will open, the easiest and shortest section, Via dell’Amore or “path of love”, closed since 2012, it will only be accessible as part of a tour guide, in order to promote a responsible tourism in the area.
The good news is that the roads between Corniglia – Vernazza and then followed by Vernazza – Monterosso are open section on the Blue Trail. Keep in mind that the passes are verified near the entrance, to bring water, hiking or walking shoes are recommended and is not allowed entry if is raining.
Monterosso to Vernazza
To finally complete the trail, Monterosso – Vernazza section open in Sentiero Azzuro, I started in Monterosso and hiked until Vernazza. The ancient path used for centuries of almost 4 kilometers it took around two hours, including taking time to admire the splendid view and make pictures.
After climbing first many stone stairs, the views back towards the coast of Monterosso are beautiful. After a while you are surrounded entirely by vineyards, lemon and green olive groves. Quite stunning hiking experience.
This is considered the toughest hike in the region, and I would say it was a medium difficulty and very steep, but landscapes that seem taken out from paintings make up for it. On the way you could also stop and read different information about the National park or the fauna and flora in Cinque Terre.
In some parts there was a distinct smell of citrus, you could see the Mediterranean coast and hear the waves clashing in the coast. You felt the windy breeze since the sky was a bit clouded in the first half. There were even people playing music, and other locals working on the terraced hills with vineyards. All the senses were activated.
You can tell why this hike from Monterosso was one of the highlight of the trip. The best part – it was during my birthday. I felt many emotions and so much gratitude for this nature, to be able physically to do this challenging hike and mentally to be present to enjoy it. Helped the mind, body and spirit, especially since I arrived in Italy a bit drained and with different worries. The reality was better than my vision.
Approaching Vernazza, the paths become very narrow, but the sights over the cliff and the Mediterranean are dramatic, while the views over my favorite village in Cinque Terre in distance from the mountain are very pretty.
After the hike ended, I stayed a bit more in bella Vernazza, where it was a nice atmosphere. The train ride returning to Monterosso takes only a few minutes, where was the accommodation in the last night, in time for an afternoon swim at a classic Italian beachfront, listening to the waves.
Read also about the walk between Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino
In the last morning in Monterosso, after breakfast, I had the whole hotel rooftop garden to myself, writing and reflecting on this beautiful trip, surrounded by lemon groves and olive trees, overlooking the Ligurian Sea hills. A memory I deeply cherish.
Travel Journal 
One thought on “Hike Monterosso to Vernazza”