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Need help with hiking Vernazza to Riomaggiore Direction

Could you help me with hiking information from Vernazza going South? We are staying in Vernazza a few days in July and will do the Vernazza to Monterosso on day one. What are our hiking options going from Vernazza south. We want to spend a full day hiking with visits to Corniglia and swimming in Manarola and a meal in Riomaggiore. We are parents with teens and while we are fit, we don't want to hike in areas where the steps a washed away and there is major loss of trail. I know some hikes are open and some have been closed and it changes. In the best scenario, with what we expect, what would be a good day going from Vernazza south? We can take a train in the middle if it makes sense? Just trying to get some opinions as I feel overwhelmed with this section.

I am planning on dealing with the crowds by getting an early start and trying to make the best of it. I appreciate any help.

Thank you !!

Posted by
105 posts

Hi Carol! My husband and I are going to Italy next month. We have booked our Manarola B&B, and that's all we're doing with pre-planning for Cinque Terre. I don't know how much this answer will help you, but my husband and I intentionally are not planning anything in advance with Cinque Terre and are letting our B&B host give us suggestions when we arrive there. And I'm a total planner, so this approach is a little weird for me. :-)

Posted by
32325 posts

Carol,

AFAIK, the Sentiero Azzurro trail segments from Monterosso - Vernazza and Vernazza - Corniglia will be open at that time of year, but of course conditions can change if a storm rolls through the area. Note that a Park Pass is required to hike those and the Passes are easily available in the area.

If you wish to hike from Cornigila - Manarola and Manarola - Riomaggiore, you'll have to use one of the higher trails (no Park Pass required). You can see all the details on the official Park website - http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/Eindex.php

It might be prudent to use the same method as the previous reply - wait until you arrive there and look at the available options then. You could use the trains to bypass the two closed trail segments, and then use the boat from Riomaggiore back to Vernazza.

Posted by
187 posts

Don't worry too much about this in advance. Weather will greatly affect your plans for a given day in the Cinque Terra. Your B&B will have advice on current conditions and what to expect. I have made the hike from Vernazza to Riomaggiore in one day with a leisurely lunch and stops in both Corniglia and Manarola. Took the train back from Riomaggiore to Vernazza. I would also suggest a boat ride if the weather is nice.