I am planning to stay in Monterosso in May 2026 and do the Town Walks as described in Rick's 2025 Italy Guide. The 2nd part of the Walk is a climb up the hill that separates the old town from the new, to the Capuchin Church and cemetery. I am of a mature age, still mobile and traveling solo, but like to avoid steep climbs and many stairs when I can. The walk's description and map shows a lot of stairs in what looks like fairly long up-hill switchbacks and then more uphill to the cemetery in the ruined castle and the summit.
Has anyone done this hike and can please provide me an overall description of the effort and trail quality up and then back down into town? Thanks
Posted by
6677 posts
I find this page to have the best info, but I am not sure which hike that is.
https://www.parconazionale5terre.it/Esentieri-outdoor.php
It is always good to check this website before setting out in case of trail maintenance issues.
I would be very surprised if any hike in CT (aside from the paved one) does not have a pretty significant ascent with steps.
Each hike is classified like this: (height difference may need to be converted)
Forward time: 2 hour/s
Return time: 2 hour/s 15 minutes
Difficulty Level: EE - For expert hikers
Length: 3.668 km
Difference in height: 217m
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
17969 posts
Hi Fran -
I have done the climb up to the cemetery and church, and I wouldn't be concerned about the 'quality' of the path but it will involve some exertion as it's uphill and involves steps. I don't know as the path has a name or number, as the hiking trails in the park's website do, or I don't recall that it does, anyway.
I dug around on YouTube to see if I could find some videos that might be helpful: give these a look? They may not capture the entire route but should give you an idea of what this adventure involves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGHe5AX2Ip4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghwtF07qQ0g
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
16826 posts
I, also, have done the climb up to the monastery from the Old Monterosso side which starts beside the Hotel Pasquale. It's gentle steps but steadily uphill. I did not go down the other side into New Monterosso so can't comment on the path on that side. On the Old Monterosso side it is fairly wide and paved. There are plenty of places to stop and see the beautiful views if you need to catch your breath.
To me it's fairly shocking to see a Van Dyke painting (or attributed to) in an un-airconditioned, humid church.
Editing to add: The videos Kate linked I thought were pretty good. The stairs that both show are at the end when you are going up to the actual church, not on the climb up the hill, if that makes sense. There are rails which always helps me. I had forgotten some of the areas were brick and stones instead of paving.
Oh, and I skipped the steps down to the area with the wrought iron railing around the statue. Uh, just no....I've got a fear of heights and I just looked over that part.
Posted by
Coral Gables, Florida
490 posts
I didn’t do this, but Google Maps says it’s about 16 floors and Apple Maps says it’s about 18 floors.