Hi all,
We are in the CT this coming week and they just introduced a fee to hike!
Where do we pay?
Tourists charged €15
Hikers who want to tackle the Cinque Terre’s celebrated “sentiero azzurro” or blue footpath will have to start in the village of Monterosso and head east towards the hamlet of Vernazza.
https://cinqueterre-travel.com/information/cinque_terre_card/
We first went there in 1999 and had to buy a card which covered trains and walking then, so it’s not new.
I believe some of the funds go to maintaining trails, etc.
There's a toll booth, yes it's a small building adjacent to the popular trail heads, where you can pay or show your Cinque Terre Card that you can purchase at the train station or, online. This has been in place for well over a decade and helps pay for repairs and upkeep, slides are a problem during the rainy season, as is erosion by heavy usage.
You're going to a national park, like any other country's national park there's an entrance fee; unless you're just staying in the towns and don't plan on using any of the footpaths. Remember sandals/open-toed footwear is not allowed on the trails.
We are in the CT this coming week and they just introduced a fee to
hike!
There has been a fee to hike any open segment of the Sentiero Azzurro for many years; it's not new. These are the most-traveled paths in the region so are needing the most constant upkeep. The fees go towards that upkeep.
The two currently open segments are Monterosso>Vernazza and Vernazza> Corniglia. A trekking card covers both and then some. Cards are currently priced according to high vs. low season, weekend vs. weekday, and holiday vs. non-holiday dates.
https://www.parconazionale5terre.it/Ecinque-terre-card.php
You can purchase the card at any of the CT Welcome Centers as well as at the gates on the paths.
https://www.parconazionale5terre.it/Ecentri-visita.php
We were in Cinque Terre last week. We did the Blue Trail from Monterosso to Vernazza to Corniglia, and it was very nice. But the trail from Corniglia to Volastra to Manarola was even better. Free, fewer crowds, better views, and we thought an easier hike.
Does the CT card cover a trip in from La Spezia to a CT town (Monterossa)? Wondering if I should buy ahead and use for my leg to La Spezia if I end up having to take a bus from Florence to La Spezia due to a possible train strike...
kmh1, only the treno card covers travel between La Spezia and the other CT towns, not the Trekking card. But you can also just buy a single ticket at the La Spezia station for whichever town you want to get to.
