44.14° N · 9.68° E · Cinque Terre
The historic path linking the villages along the coast. Today you can walk between Monterosso, Vernazza and Corniglia, almost 8 km in two stretches of an hour and a half to two hours, with steps, steep climbs and vine terraces. The stretch from Corniglia to Manarola remains closed.
Part of Cinque Terre
Step by step
3.7 km and 217 m of ascent. Stone steps at the start and then an earth path that climbs the coast, narrow and exposed in places. At the end, the view of Vernazza from above.
The harbour, the square and something to eat before the second stretch.
4.1 km and 269 m of ascent among olive trees and vines. In the opposite direction it begins with the Lardarina staircase, 377 steps.
Corniglia is up on the heights; the station is below. The regional train takes you back to Monterosso in a few minutes.
To walk this path you need the Cinque Terre Card. The Trekking Card costs €10 a day per adult in normal season and €15 on very busy days; the Treno Card includes it together with the train. It is bought at the park's information points in the stations or on its website.
The Sentiero Azzurro, now signposted as trail 592, is the historic path that linked the five villages along the coast before the railway arrived. Now you can walk two consecutive stretches, from Monterosso to Vernazza and from Vernazza to Corniglia: almost 8 km with stone steps, steep climbs and passages among olive trees and terraced vines. The stretch from Corniglia to Manarola remains closed, and between Manarola and Riomaggiore is the Via dell'Amore, with reserved access.
From north to south, as in the steps above, the first stretch is the hardest and you do it with fresh legs; you finish at Corniglia, with the train below. The other way round you start by climbing the 377 steps of the Lardarina from Corniglia station, but you finish on Monterosso beach. If you only have half a day, the Monterosso to Vernazza stretch has the best-known views.
There are checks at the entrance to each stretch. The toilets at the village stations are free with the card.
Go by train. Monterosso and Vernazza have a station in the village, and Corniglia down below, next to the sea. If you come by car, leave it in Levanto or La Spezia: in the villages parking is scarce and expensive and the centres are closed to traffic. The path leaves Monterosso from the old town, at the end of the promenade, and in Vernazza from the top of the village, behind the church.
Spring and autumn are the best seasons: from March to June and from September to November there are mild temperatures and fewer people. In summer, set out first thing; at midday the sun beats down and queues form at the narrow passages. The park closes the trails when there is a weather alert and asks anyone already on the route to return to the nearest village: check the status on its website the same day.
Who it's for
What to bring
Map
What you have around the starting point.
More to do
Itineraries
Tips
It includes the trail, the train back and the Via dell'Amore in a single ticket.
By mid-morning the trail fills up and there are queues at the narrow stretches.
Since August 2026 a section near the Porto Roca hotel has been closed by municipal order. You enter via Via Corone.
Questions
No. Monterosso – Vernazza and Vernazza – Corniglia are open. Corniglia – Manarola remains closed; between Manarola and Riomaggiore is the Via dell'Amore, with reserved access.
Yes. You need the Cinque Terre Card, from €10 a day per adult and €7 for children aged 4 to 12.
The park classifies it as EE, for experienced hikers: there are high steps, steep slopes and narrow passages above the sea.
With children who walk confidently, yes, preferably aged 10 and over. It is not a path for a pushchair or for a baby carrier in the heat.
Geocaliahttps://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/liguria/cinque-terre/things-to-do/sentiero-azzurro
