We'd like to do the Blue Path trail Vernazza - Monterosso. Do we need to buy the Cinque Terre Card for it or we just pay the single entrance fee in the gate (if there's any)? How much is the entrance fee (only) to the Blue Path? I read that it's not even inspected.
Also, we plan to do it later in the afternoon around 4 - 5 pm on a Tuesday in June. Has the crowd and heat subside by that time?
As of two weeks ago, The ticket for the path was 7.5o Euros.
Budget between two and three hours for the walk depending on your age and physical condition. Parts are treacherous. Bring water.
I do not know about the crowd, but I suspect the heat will not have subsided to any discernible extent as the sun will still be fairly high in the western sky as June has some of the longest daylight hours of the year.
Sunscreen and water !!
The entrance fee on the trail is the Cinque Terre Trekking card (w/o the train) so the price is the same if you purchase it on the trail, online, or at a welcome center. If you intend to buy at a Welcome Center, your lodging may be able to provide a voucher for a small discount. If you buy online you must specify the date, but you'll also avoid the possibility of a line at the Welcome Center. If you have a smartphone, download the Cinque Terre Park app before you hike. It can show you where you are on the trail, provides trail descriptions, shows photos of junctions, and if you enter your CT Card number there are other features. http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/Eindex.php
Do we need to buy the Cinque Terre Card for it
Yes. You need to purchase the card to hike any open segment of the Sentiero Azzurro. You can buy it at the train stations, Welcome Centers or at ticket checkpoints at entrances to the path. Doesn't matter if every one of them are inspected or not, fees from the card go towards (constant) maintenance of these overused trails so it's a must-do.
How much is the entrance fee (only) to the Blue Path?
As Frank stated, 1 day, adults: € 7,50, unless your accommodation offers the voucher for the discount.
http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/page.php?id=157
4 - 5 pm on a Tuesday in June. Has the crowd and heat subside by that
time?
I would expect it to still be plenty warm and busy enough. This path should not be hiked in or after heavy rain, and they will shut it down if conditions are unsafe to do so.
