I know Rick has reported that trails are open, but on the Cinque Terre webpage I looked at it showed the entire trail #2 connecting all five towns as currently being closed. In the RS book it mentions the portion between Manarola and Corniglia being closed in 2013, but not anything else. I am planning to go there in June 2013 and can work around a small closure, but not the entire trail. Can anyone provide some insight or clarity on this?
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Vernon, Canada
32201 posts
Charles, All four of the No. 2 (Sentiero Azzurro) trails are currently closed but it's expected that most (if not all) will re-open when the tourist season starts on April 1st. The trail from Manarola to Corniglia has been closed for awhile, so it remains to be seen whether that will open at the same time. The trails were closed a bit early this year, following a slide on the Via dell'Amore in late September that seriously injured four Australian tourists. I'm sure the authorities will want to ensure these are safe before they re-open. One other point to mention is that there is an extensive network of trails in the Cinque Terre, in addition to the No. 2 trails. If you're an experienced hiker, it should be possible to get around the closure of one segment of the No. 2 trails (although it will take longer). Of course, it's also easy to get around closed sections by using the local trains or boats (weather permitting). It's virtually impossible to predict which of the trails will be open in June. I'd suggest checking the website again in late March or April to determine the status at that time. If you're able to hike most of the trails, I'd suggest starting in Monterosso and working south, as the section from there to Vernazza is the most challenging. Happy travels!