We will be in the CT in late March and early April but I don't think the ferries begin running until Easter. But I REALLY want to take a boat ride after we hike the area to see it all from the vantage point of the sea! Know any reputable boat captains or companies I can contact in advance to see about a sunset cruise or a town-to-town sail?
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15806 posts
Amy, according to the very good local website, "A Path to Lunch", ferries are supposed to start running on April 1 unless the weather isn't conducive. In that case, it wouldn't be safe for private craft either.
https://www.apathtolunch.com/2014/06/complete-cinque-terre-portovenere-la.html
"When: The 2020 Cinque Terre ferry will start Wednesday, April 1 and end Sunday, November 1. The boats may modify the route or not operate in rough seas or winds (unusual in summer)."
Posted by
Southwest Florida
856 posts
Check in advance on trail ability as well. I think only two sections are currently open for hiking. Ferry service is nice, but keep in mind that the main transport ferry does not stop at every town. There are a few different private boat services out of Monterosso to choose from that will do a custom cruise.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15806 posts
Amy, trail maps, descriptions and open/closed status at any given time are on the park's website:
http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/Eindex.php
http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/Erete-sentieristica.php
Black lines means those paths are currently closed; orange means open trails for experienced, conditioned hikers; blue and green lines are open trails that fall in the bit less stressful category (but still not for couch potatoes.)
The "trail" many visitors reference is a 4-segment coastal route from Monterosso to Riomaggiore called the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Path/SVA2.) The entire thing is currently closed but I'd expect the legs from Monterosso> Vernazza and Vernazza>Corniglia to be open in early April. The legs from Corniglia>Manarola and Manarola> Riomaggiore will not be open this year. Rain, rockfall or other damage could also affect trail status at any time. Anyway, you can check what's going on in the region at any point, and note that there are MANY trails in the system besides the overrun SVA2 sections. Oh, and you will need to buy a park pass to access any part of the Blue Path.
http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/Ecinque-terre-card.php
Ferries don't stop in Corniglia but do at the other 4. In late March, early April, weather could be sketchy so I wouldn't count on your 1.5 days (according to your other post) being dry. We'll cross fingers that they are. :O)