We are planning to stay 3 nights in Cinque Terre in early May and wanted to have two full days there to hike between the towns and explore them. If the main trail linking the five towns remains closed, will we still find plenty to do? Are the other hiking trails easy to access and are the views as stunning? Our main interest is hiking/enjoying the scenery/being outdoors.
Posted by
Orlando
516 posts
You take the train from town to town and see all the beautiful coast line from the train.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
126 posts
We were there a couple of years ago and arrived to discover the trails were closed and were quite disappointed. After talking to a couple of people we discovered it wasn’t quite as bad as was made out and we ended up walking them anyway – there was no barrier across the path or anyone to tell us not to so we took the chance.
Some alternatives we also did –
Catch the boat along the coast and finish at Portovenere then walk the coast road into La Spezia (about 14kms) and catch the train back to your village.
Catch the train west to Santa Margherita Ligure then either catch the bus or walk out to Portofino (about 6kms) walk thru Portofino and finish at the lighthouse for a cold beer, ice cream or coffee. We caught the bus out and walked back, if you do that be aware that it is a very narrow road and the views are spectacular.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11852 posts
The main trail, Trail #2 or il Sentiero Azzuro is not the only option! We have spent two trips there that did not involve the "main trail" at all. You can read my blog about some things to do here. You can hike Trail #1 by taking one of the mini-buses up to a starting point; take "city walks" in Lerici or Santa Margherita Ligure; go to Portofino by train then bus, on foot or by boat; ride the trains or the boat between the 5 towns; go to Portovenere (which I have not managed to do yet). You will not be bored!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32405 posts
kristins,
It's quite likely that at least some of the No. 2 trails will be open by early May. I'd suggest checking the trail status website just prior to your trip. There's an extensive network of other trails besides the popular No. 2 trails, so if you want to hike there will be ample opportunities.
Posted by
vernazza, liguria, Italy
14 posts
Hello Kristins
The trail from Monterosso-Vernazza-Corniglia is Open.
Anyway You have the trails between the Santuary very good a little longer but scenery
giacomo from vernazza
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks so much for your helpful answers. I'm glad to hear that the trail is open again, but now we have many other great options as well.
Posted by
6 posts
Hello. Please see Save Vernazza's alternative Trail Map for good ideas on hiking in Cinque Terre http://savevernazza.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/trailmap_new.pdf. My favorites: from Vernazza to the Reggio Sanctuary above Vernazza (free and never crowded, about 45 minutes) and from Levanto to Monterosso (awesome views, lots of stairs at the beginning and end but the majority of the trail is flat and easy with gorgeous views and goes through all sorts of nature, free). There are so many other FREE, open trails that you can definitely have a fantastic vacation even if Trail #2 is closed (and, by the way, Trail #2 is closed now for maintenance and due to weather but most connections from Manarola to Monterosso should be open in May). Buon viaggio!
Posted by
Escondido, CA, USA
16 posts
Giacomo...could you please confirm that the #2 paths from Manarola to Corniglia to Vernazza to Monterosso are open right now? We are planning to be in Cinque Terre on April 9th!
Also, any news on the #2 path from Riomaggiore to Manarola?
Finally, I know the paths were closed after the 2011 landslides. Why were they closed more recently?
Thank you so much!
Julie