WE ARE HAPPY TO REPORT THAT Cinque Terre is back in business. Well almost. The hiking trail that runs from town to town is open only from Corniglia to Vernazza and from Vernazza to Monterosso al Mare, the two more difficult sections. It won’t be open from Riomaggiore to Manarola to Corniglia until next year—or maybe not until 2024!
You are Here ⍟ Hiking the trail from Corniglia to Vernazza
Undaunted, we each bought a “pensioner’s” 5 Terra Pas for €13 that includes unlimited train/bus rides and trail access for the day. Our plan was to get off the train in Corniglia, climb the 350 stairs to town and poke around a bit and hit the trail. The 4K hike to Vernazza would take about 1½ hours and we would be ready for lunch.
Connie pauses on the climb to Corniglia
Church in Corniglia
Refreshment Break
Hidden corner of Corniglia
Looking back from the trail at Corniglia
You don’t have to worry about getting lost—just follow the signs. Or the folks in front of you. Stay ahead of the group walking up your heels and don’t run into the ones coming in the other direction. Trail etiquette hasn’t quite reached the Cinque Terre.
You won't get lost if you follow the markers and stay on the trail
Bridge Crossing
Looking at where we were
Practice good trail etiquette
Going Down ↓ is just as hard as going Up ↑
Long before we reached Vernazza—before we could even sense its presence—I began to understand all the hype about Cinque Terre. Looking back at Corniglia perched on its hilltop and Manarola farther back in the haze, we got a sense of how special this World Heritage Park is.
Corniglia and Manarola in the Distance
The pastel houses on the rocky cliffs above the sparkling Med made it all worth while. I can only imagine what it would be like to stay in one of the seaside Bed and Breakfasts and share a bottle of while wine watching the sun set after the visitors have been railed away.
Three Views of Vernazza
We figured the final hike to Monterosso would take another couple of hours but I didn’t shed any tears when we heard the trail was closed for the day. I was plain knackered!
A look ahead at Monterosso from Vernazza
The trail to Vernazza may have only been 4 kilometers point-to-point but there were enough ups-and-downs to make my quads tremble. The trail to Monterosso was said to be just as arduous. Instead we took the train down for a look at Monterosso al Mare.
Monterosso from above
Monterosso is the nearest of the “5 Terre” towns to Levanto and is most easily accessed by car. Parking is a totally different issue, however. As if the “al Mare” part wasn’t a hint, Monterosso is on the Med—with a real beach and all that comes with it. There should be an age limit on Speedos!
Life's a Beach—Monterosso
