I am planning to spend a few days hiking the 5Terre trails in May. The park web-site (http://www.parconazionale5terre.it) shows that most of the coastal trail are now closed. I have emailed several of the welcome centres and received no response. Does anyone know if they are just closed for the season or whether there is a more serious problem with landslides or construction that may persist into May?
Posted by
4961 posts
Difficult to say at this point--weather dependent and if they finish the work. The high trails are typically unaffected. Levanto to Monterosso is often recommended.
Also, there are less crowded alternatives in the area, so let us know if you are flexible and the rest of your itinerary.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16049 posts
The Via dell'Amore (Riomaggiore to Manarola) is permanently closed due to a major landslide a few years ago. The path needs to be rebuilt there. The rest may be open depending on weather conditions. You need to monitor the website.
Posted by
Minneapolis
1261 posts
Hi. Rio to Manarola and Manarola to Corniglia coastal trails have been closed for several years and are not scheduled to reopen anytime soon. Likely the welcome centers are not responding because they are closed for the season. Likely the coastal trails from Vernazza north will be open. In any case, there are many great trails other than the coastal trails. Go and enjoy!
Posted by
Houston, TX
487 posts
Everything the others said is true about season and construction status. Of the trails that will be open in May, the status can change daily or even hourly based on current conditions. You will still need to check the status on the day of your hikes.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32350 posts
dn,
It's likely that the Monterosso - Vernazza and Vernazza - Corniglia segments of the Sentiero Azzurro trails will be open by May, but the other two will remain closed. I haven't seen anything on a re-opening date for the Corniglia - Manarola segment, as the blockage is significant. The famous Via dell' Amore from Manarola to Riomaggiore may not be re-opened until 2019. Note that you'll need to buy a Park Pass to hike the S.A. trails, and those are easily obtainable at the huts at the start of each trail, or in local stations.
A short section of the Via dell' Amore can be accessed from the Manarola end, as far as the small bar. That's a nice place to have a glass of wine and a meal while enjoying the view.
it's also important to note that there's an extensive network of other trails in the Cinque Terre, so it's possible to bypass the closed sections. No Park Pass is required to hike the other trails.