My husband and I hiked the beautiful trail to all 5 cities 7 years ago before the flood. We are revisiting next month and need to know, is the trail completely open and hikable between all 5 cities at this time?
Thank you,
Karen
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32212 posts
Karen,
The only Sentiero Azzurro trails that are open between the five towns are the Monterosso-Vernazza and Vernazza-Corniglia segments. The Corniglia-Manarola and Manarola-Riomaggiore (Via dell' Amore) segments are closed due to damage and likely to remain that way for the rest of the year. However, a short section of the Via dell' Amore is open from the Manarola end as far as the small Bar.
There's an extensive network of trails in that area, and it is possible to use different trails to bypass the closed sections, but they go further up into the hills, so are a more robust hike.
As you probably remember, you'll need a Park Pass to hike the two segments that are open.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11337 posts
Personally we prefer hiking anything BUT the Sentiero Azzuro, of Trail #2, which suffers from frequent closures and high use. Some of the other trails are more challenging, but many are no more challenging and indeed far easier than the overcrowded #2. Some good ones IMHO
Sanctuary Trail from Riomaggiore to Montenero Sanctuary and return (up and back)
Trail 7a from Volastra to Corniglia. You take a little shuttle bus from Manarola up to Volastra then walk to Corniglia and can either take a shuttle down or walk down to the train station
Vernazza to the San Bernardino Sanctuary (up and back)
Monterosso to Levanto -- a long hike with a return via train