My family and I are visiting the Cinque Terre in June and I have been checking on the official national park website for information on the paths. Every time I have checked, all of the 5 main paths have been closed. In December, I assumed that it was maybe for maintenance during the off season. However, now that it is April, and I still see all 5 main costal trails closed, I'm beginning to worry. Has anyone encountered this before and/or do you know if the paths (at least some of the 5 main ones) will be open in June? I tried emailing the site through their contact page, but haven't gotten a response (and it has been weeks). Thank you!
Posted by
Boston
1814 posts
You should be ok. Have a look at these two threads on another forum. The poster cm28 lives in Monterosso and knows all.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187817-i997-k11163861-Trail_closures-Cinque_Terre_Italian_Riviera_Liguria.html
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187822-i1121-k11237502-Hiking_From_Vernazza-Vernazza_Cinque_Terre_Italian_Riviera_Liguria.html
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32398 posts
Although the Parco Nazionale website shows all of the Sentiero Azzurro trails are closed, it's quite likely that the Monterosso - Vernazza and Vernazza - Corniglia segments may be open now and should certainly be open in June. The Corniglia - Manarola and Manarola - Riomaggiore segments have been closed for awhile and will likely remain closed for the remainder of this year. However, the Via dell' Amore is open for a short distance from Manarola. There's a small bar at the end, where visitors can get a "cool one" or a meal, while enjoying the fantastic views.
As you've probably noticed from the Parco Nazionale website, there are numerous other trails in that area, some of which bypass the closed sections of the Sentiero Azzuro trails. The other trails go higher in the hills, so they're a more robust hike.
Posted by
Houston, TX
487 posts
Trails can also close last minute due to poor weather conditions or other changes in safety. Even if they showed up as open today it could change by the time of your trip in June.
Posted by
1230 posts
Adding to whats been said: the trails from Rio-Manarola and Mana-Cor. are supposed to be closed for a few years (this was the data last summer when we went). We, and others we saw on the trail, hiked from Rio-Manarola on the upper trail, that goes up up up and then down down down. Very steep, but a great hike. There is another upper trail that connects Mana to Cor. but we were with kids and they wanted to swim all afternoon in Mana. We also hiked the other two sections (Monte-Ver, and Ver-Cor). So, if some trails are open, there is a way to hike between all 5, just not necessarily all on the coastal trail
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16701 posts
Trails can also close last minute due to poor weather conditions or
other changes in safety. Even if they showed up as open today it could
change by the time of your trip in June.
Exactly so, and especially when applied to the 4 segments of the Sentiero Azzurro (# or what you refer to as the very popular "main paths"). Two of the four - Corniglia> Manarola # 592 2, and Manaola> Riomaggiore # 592 1 - will definitely be closed for the 2018 season. The #592 segments between Monterosso>Vernazza and Vernazza > Corniglia should be open but heavy weather, instability threat or other issue could abruptly close them at any time. There's simply no guarantee what the situation will be during your dates in June so emailing the park won't help you.
As someone else mentioned, these are not the only trails in the park so closures of a few routes doesn't mean that avid trekkers can't find alternatives when the weather is favorable.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32398 posts
I've just received some updated information on the Cinque Terre trails.....
"Bottom line: the Via dell'Amore from Riomaggiore to Manarola is closed and will remain closed in 2018. Manarola to Corniglia : I will check with the right people but my gut says that too is closed and will remain closed in 2018.
Corniglia-Vernazza-Monterosso: OPEN, except during and after heavy rains (when it is ALWAYS closed due to slippery and dangerous conditions, as well as the threat of landslides)."
This website will be updated shortly, so you can check that closer to your trip - http://savevernazza.com/traveladvisortrailupdates/