Cinque Terre paths

I hiked Vernazza to Monterosso in May 2014, everything was open. In my opinion, this is "the hike" for scenery. CT is definitely worth 2 nights.

jonathan,

The only one of the four Sentiero Azzurro segments that is "officially" open is the one from Monterosso to Vernazza. However, the SAVE VERNAZZA website has been recently updated and indicates that the Vernazza to Corniglia segment is also open. A short section of the Via dell' Amore (Manarola to Corniglia) is also open, but only as far as the small bar at the Manarola end. Note that a Park Pass is required to hike any complete segments which are open, and these can easily be purchased at local stations or even at the small booths at the start of each trail.

There's an extensive network of other trails in that area, so if you like to hike, there will be lots of opportunity to do so (the other trails don't require a Pass).

I hiked in the CT last summer. As the other posters have said, Monterosso to Vernazza is officially open. When I hiked, Vernazza to Corniglia was not officially open, but everyone hiked this trail. The other direct trails were not open and shut down. However, you can hike to the other towns through trails that go up into the hills and back down to the seaside towns. These were a little tougher, but the views were even more incredible.

Is it best to have hiking boots or are sneakers ok for these hikes?

Hiking shoes are better especially if you plan to spend multiple days hiking or plan on the more difficult trails up into the hills, but sneakers will work if you plan on taking short hikes or stick to the main trails. You definitely do not need 3/4 or full hiking boots.

Been hiking the high trails all week. Today for example hiked from Corneglia and then back down to Manarola,wonderful. Yesterday hiked from Riomaggiore to Telegrafo, returned home the same way, and the day before that from Monterosso to Levanto. The blue trail is open from Corngelia to Monterosso,but personally not interested in walking it..way too many people for my taste.

And not wearing hiking boots just my Merrell walking shoes.

I normally just wear my Ecco Trac II walking shoes for hiking the Sentiero Azzurro trails, and haven't had any problem. Those shoes are a more robust "outdoor" design, so I could probably wear them for hiking the higher trails as well. I've seen all variety of shoes on the S.A.trails, ranging from heavy duty high top hiking boots used by German and Austrian hikers (who also use hiking poles) to cheap rubber flip-flops used by teenagers.