Cinque Terre Trail Confusion

A lot of rain can fall in a month, even if it's not the rainy season. Getting the latest trail update when you buy your park pass is a good idea. I'm not a hiker, but know others will suggest their favorite trails.

Tyler,

The most recent information on the Save Vernazza website should be completely accurate, unless something has changed within the last few days. The two trails you mentioned under "A" and "B" are the only ones open at the present time (AFAIK). The Via dell' Amore (Manarola-Riomaggiore) will not be re-opening until next year.

I'm not sure where you're reading these "mixed updates", but I suspect they're not accurate. I have read a few reports from people that have ignored the "closed" signs and walked the trail from Corniglia to Manarola, but I wouldn't advise doing that as it could put your safety at risk.

It's possible that a few of the people that contribute here will be in the Cinque Terre within the next week or so, and they will have more information to add in the near future. Hopefully you'll have some information to add soon also.

I'd suggest starting your hike in Monterosso as that's the most difficult part. There's quite a climb at the beginning and I've found that it's a good idea to be well rested for that section. Be sure to take lots of water.

Rick is or has very recently been filming in the CT . Hopefully he will be posting the most recent information on trail closures as we will also be there in a little over a month.

Sounds good. I will wait for Rick to send his update. In the meantime, any suggested "personal favorite trails" to try would be awesome. Thanks!

My personal favorite trail is from Vernazza to Monterosso. There is a restaurant/bar at the end of the trail, right before you go into the town. Can't remember the name, but it is the only one. We stop there for lunch, and wine, visit Monterosso, and end up taking the train back to Vernazza, where we stay. The trail is beautiful, and like others said, bring water!

We were in CT about 10 years ago and will be going back in 7 weeks. I do not have specific information about trails that are open, but I do want to suggest some of the less travelled trails. The trails between the towns are great and definitely the highpoint of the hiking, but the some of the trails above the towns give a completely different perspective. These are not easy trails, but as long as your in good shape and allow yourself plenty of time, you should have no problems. I believe that you can hike from Corniglia or Vernazza to Manarola or Riomaggiore via Volestra. With a map and the easy to see red and white trail markers it was easy to find our way 10 years ago.

One more question. I assume we just buy the Cinque Terre Card right when arrive at the train station. We will be there for 3 days, but I'm seeing the maximum number of days we can buy the card for is 2 days, is that correct?

Finally, is there a time the trails actually open? I am seeing that the National Park Office where the hiking tickets are normally purchased does not open until 9am. Does that mean we are not able to use the trails before 9am as well?

Hi Tyler - My fiancee and I just returned from a trip that included 4 days in the CT and I can definitely confirm the Corniglia-Manarola section of the coastal trail is closed (we didn't know and hiked to the gate).

On our first full day we did trail 7a that goes from Corniglia to Manarola via Volastra. I thought that trail was great, and it offered nice views along the way. It takes a lot longer to hike that segment than any of the segments on trail #2, though, and is more crowded than usual b/c of the #2 closure. The alternate route from Manarola to Riamaggiore is VERY steep up and down, but doesn't take a ton of time if you can keep putting one foot in front of the other. It's a little tough to recommend hiking from Monterosso to Riomaggiore in a day if these two trails are still the only real options when you get there. We hike pretty often and are in good shape, but I'm happy that we split it up into two days.

Other hikes: 8a is closed, and has been for a while, but if you want some moderate route-finding challenges (there are faded or overgrown blazes) and an empty hike it's the way to go. There are three or four parts that are washed out and make for tough going, but overall it's still in great shape. It's a great loop that starts and ends in Vernazza and goes through the great little town of San Bernadino (which offers a steep descent to Vernazza). You'll cross streams, see some small waterfalls, walk through terraced olive orchards and vineyards, and get great views of the hills above Vernazza. Also, a short detour takes you to the Sanctuary above Vernazza, which is very nice to visit.

The hike from Riomaggiore to Portovenere sounds great, but we didn't have enough time to try it. You might consider reading up on that one. If you do it early in the day it should be easy to hitch a ferry back.

Edit: Re: the 9am open time poses no problem for hiking. We hiked every day before 9am and it was no issue. When we got up early to go from Monterosso to Vernazza we just bought our hiking passes at the kiosk in Vernazza, which was just opening when we got there. It is not like you will contend with closed gates or anything. You can also buy the train + hiking passes at the train station the day before and validate them in the morning I guess, but it really is tough to get your money's worth out of those combo tickets.

We are supposed to go to CT in early July. Should we change our plans and skip CT since most of the trails between towns are closed according to the Save Vernazza website?? Is there enough to do in Monterosso where we are staying to make it worthwhile since we can't hike the trails between Riomaggiorie and Manarola ?? My son could do Monterosso to Vernazza, but my knees can't do those difficult trails, so I would have to go by boat/train to meet up with him.

Thanks for the very detailed update on the trails from your recent trip. I really appreciate it. We will for sure follow your advice.

Dwarren2,

I was in the CT yesterday on a day trip. It was very crowded, but in July will be twice that. Plus it will be very hot. I would skip it.

Tyler,

My wife and I hiked the #2 in September 2009 from Riomaggiore to Monterosso (I turned 59 that month). It was a good challenge, but not too difficult. Took us about 7 hours with a stop for lunch in one of the towns. If the trails were open and you're in shape, you'd love it, but, alas, at least part of the trails are closed.

We're going back this September. We plan to hike from Riomaggiore to Portovene and then take the ferry back. I think it's about a five hour hike. Take an early train to Riomaggiore, have a bite to eat and a look around, then hike to Portovene so you arrive mid-afternoon. Have lunch and a look around and then catch the 5 o'clock ferry back to Vernazza. You should look into that one.

Another one you should consider is to hike from Vernazza to Monterosso for breakfast and to have a look around, and then to continue from Monterosso to Levanto. I think Monterosso to Levanto is about 6 miles overlooking the water and through forests. Then you can explore Levanto and take the train back to Vernazza.

Best wishes.

Since Trail #2 is closed between Riomaggiore and Corniglia, does anyone know if there is a way to still walk between these two towns. Based on what I'm reading, people have recommended the the following route:
A) Trail #531 from Riomaggiore to Manarola (can find any details on how long this will take)
B) Trail #6 from Manarola to Volastra (30 minute walk)
C) Trail #6D from Volastra to Case Pianca
D) Trail #7A from Case Pianca to Corniglia

Does anyone if this route will be our best option and if all these trails are still open?

Tyler,

Have a look at THIS website as it should provide all the information you need. AFAIK, it's up to date. Before embarking on each hike, it might be a good idea to check with the proprietors of your hotel / B&B, as they may have some more current information to add.

Note that the trail numbers have changed this year, but both old and new numbers are shown.

Thank you for the website, very helpful.

And this might be a dumb question, I would assume you can walk in either direction on the path, but I guess I've never really 100% read that so I just want to make sure before I plan that out. And how do the trails work in terms of walking in each direction. Is there a separate path for those going each way separated by a rope or something? Or do you just have people walking at you on the same path and you just move over to the side while they pass?

Tyler,

Yes, you can walk in either direction. As you'll see when you get there, there is only ONE path that has to be shared by those going in both directions. Some parts are wide and easily navigated while other parts can be very narrow (this is the trail from Monterosso to Vernazza). There are no ropes or railings, so some caution is required. I've found that the other hikers are usually very polite and will "take turns" where the trails are narrow.

Don't forget the Park Pass for hiking the Sentiero Azzurro trails. As I recall, you can even buy them at the small booths at the end of each trail.

Tyler,

The trail from Manarola through Volastra to Corniglia is fantastic. Allow 2 - 2.5 hours depending on what kind of shape you are in. It isa big hike uphill from Manarola to Volastra, more then 30 minutes.