The famous coastal path is only half the story: here's what's actually open in 2026, what's closed, and the free high trails that beat the crowds.
Cinque Terre has over 120 kilometres of hiking trails threading through terraced vineyards, cliff-top ridges and medieval sanctuaries — yet most visitors only know the famous coastal path, the Sentiero Azzurro. This guide covers everything: which sections of the Blue Trail are open right now, the full story on the Via dell'Amore, the best free high trails that beat the crowds, how the Cinque Terre Card works for hikers, the strict footwear rules, a difficulty table for every major route, and exactly how to do all of it as a day trip from Florence.
The Cinque Terre National Park manages a network of over 120 kilometres of marked hiking trails across its 3,800 hectares of terraced coastline, hillside vineyards, olive groves and Mediterranean macchia. Trails are marked with the red-and-white blazes of the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI), with each route assigned a number — SVA for the coastal Sentiero Azzurro and numbered paths (2, 3, 6, 7…) for the inland routes.
The network divides broadly into two tiers. The coastal path — the Sentiero Azzurro (SVA), popularly called the Blue Trail — runs low along the cliffs from Riomaggiore to Monterosso, linking all five villages. It's the most famous route and the most crowded. The high trails climb inland and up into the hills, offering emptier paths, wider panoramas over the whole arc of the coast, and access to the terraced vineyard landscapes that make Cinque Terre a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most high trails are free; no card required.
Five things to know about the Cinque Terre trail network
The Sentiero Azzurro runs roughly 12 km from Riomaggiore to Monterosso al Mare, passing through Manarola, Corniglia and Vernazza. In its original form it is a relatively easy coastal path — but "relatively easy" is relative: there are steep stone staircases, uneven paving and exposed cliff sections that demand proper footwear. And in 2026, large parts of it are not open.
The Sentiero Azzurro runs from south to north: Riomaggiore → Manarola → Corniglia → Vernazza → Monterosso. Here's the status and character of each section in 2026.
The most famous and most photographed stretch — just 1.1 km of cliff-carved path between Riomaggiore and Manarola. The Via dell'Amore (Love Path) reopened in August 2024 after a decade of closure following a landslide in 2012. It now operates with timed entry slots and a one-way rule. See the full Via dell'Amore section below for all the 2026 details.
Distance: 1.1 km · Time: 20–30 min · Difficulty: Easy · Card required: Yes (combined ticket ~€10)
The middle section of the Blue Trail — linking Manarola and Corniglia — has been closed since 2015 due to severe erosion and landslip damage. Restoration work is underway but the national park's current estimate points to reopening no earlier than around 2029. Do not attempt this section: access points are fenced and the terrain is genuinely dangerous.
To travel between Manarola and Corniglia, take the Cinque Terre Express train (a few minutes) or walk the free high trail via Volastra (around 2.5 hours — see high trails section).
Status: CLOSED · Alternative: Train or Volastra high trail
This is the section most visitors should prioritise in 2026. The path from Corniglia to Vernazza is fully open, well-maintained and scenically one of the most dramatic on the coast — a mix of terraced vineyard paths, exposed cliff-edge ledges and shaded woodland with recurring views back along the coast. You'll earn Vernazza's harbour as your reward at the end.
The path starts from the top of Corniglia village (a steep climb of 382 steps from the train station — or take the shuttle bus). Expect a mix of paved and unpaved surfaces, with moderate ascents and descents throughout.
Distance: 3.8 km · Time: 1.5–2 hours · Difficulty: Moderate · Card required: Yes (Trekking Card)
The final section from Vernazza to Monterosso is the most strenuous on the Blue Trail — and arguably the most rewarding. The path climbs steeply out of Vernazza's harbour, reaching an exposed ridge with views back over the village and all the way south along the coast before descending into Monterosso. There are long stretches of steep stone steps and narrow cliff-hugging paths.
On designated peak dates in spring 2026, this section operates under a one-way rule — see the 2026 trail status section below. In the normal direction (south to north, Vernazza → Monterosso) this section tends to be slightly easier than the reverse.
Distance: 3.5 km · Time: 1.5–2 hours · Difficulty: Strenuous · Card required: Yes (Trekking Card)
Trail status changes with weather and erosion events. This is the official summary for the 2026 card season (14 March–2 November 2026). Always verify at parconazionale5terre.it before setting out, as the park updates closures after each storm event.
Reopened August 2024
Open with timed 30-minute entry slots, maximum 200 people per slot, one-way direction only (Riomaggiore → Manarola), combined ticket ~€10. Advance booking strongly recommended in high season. See the Via dell'Amore section for full details.
Closed since 2015
Severe erosion and landslip damage. Restoration work ongoing; no firm reopening date before 2029. Use the train or the free Volastra high trail as your alternative.
Fully open, Trekking Card required
The principal walking section for 2026. 3.8 km, moderate difficulty. Standard two-way access, no special restrictions except the Cinque Terre Card requirement.
Open, Trekking Card required; one-way rule on specific peak dates
Standard two-way access except on the 2026 one-way peak dates listed below, when the section runs Monterosso → Vernazza only, from 9am to 2pm. One-way peak dates in 2026: 4–6 April, 1–2 May, 14 May, 30–31 May, 1 June.
Planning around peak dates? If you're visiting on one of the one-way dates, simply start in Monterosso and walk south to Vernazza before 9am or after 2pm to avoid the rule — or combine with Corniglia in the other direction. Guided tours are timed around these restrictions automatically.
The Via dell'Amore — the Love Path — is the most iconic 1.1 kilometres of walking in all of Italy. Carved into the cliff face between Riomaggiore and Manarola in the 1920s, it became world-famous for its combination of effortless coastal drama: a flat, wide, accessible path with sheer drops to the turquoise Ligurian Sea on one side and colourful villages bookending it at each end.
A landslide on 1 April 2012 closed the path entirely. After twelve years and a major restoration project, the Via dell'Amore reopened on 27 August 2024 — and the management model is now completely different from before.
Access is now timed and capped. Entry operates in 30-minute slots and is limited to a maximum of 200 people per slot. The path is one-way only: Riomaggiore to Manarola — you cannot walk it in the reverse direction. A combined ticket of approximately €10 covers the Via dell'Amore, and this is a separate ticket from the standard Cinque Terre Trekking Card (though the two can be combined).
Slots are bookable in advance through the national park's online ticketing system. In high season (July and August) slots typically sell out within hours of release, so advance booking is not optional — it's essential. In spring and autumn you have more flexibility, but booking the night before is still advisable.
Physically, the path is easy: entirely flat, wide, fully paved, and accessible. The emotional experience of walking it above the open Ligurian Sea — the original "tunnel of love" carvings, the panoramic benches, the two villages framing the sky — is as powerful as ever. The cap on numbers means you'll share it with fewer people than at any point in its pre-closure history.
Via dell'Amore — 2026 key rules
Worth adding to your hike
The villages themselves are as much the destination as the trails between them. Riomaggiore and Manarola bookend the Via dell'Amore at the southern end; Corniglia sits on a clifftop 97 metres above the sea, reached by 382 steps or the park shuttle; Vernazza has the finest harbour on the coast; and Monterosso al Mare to the north has the only sandy beach. The Cinque Terre Express train (included in the Treno MS Card) connects all five in minutes, so you can hike the open sections and take the train past the closed one. From La Spezia the same train line serves as the gateway from Florence, and a guided cliff walk along the Blue Trail from Corniglia to Vernazza is the centrepiece of most day trips. The Via dell'Amore and the broader Sentiero Azzurro are also called the Volastra high route above Manarola and the Punta Mesco headland above Monterosso — all destinations well served by the day trips below.
The inland trails are the best-kept secret in Cinque Terre hiking. Free to walk, far less crowded than the coast, and in many respects more beautiful — the terraced vineyards, ancient mule tracks and mountaintop sanctuaries are what earned this landscape its UNESCO designation. Here are the routes worth knowing.
This is the essential alternative to the closed Manarola–Corniglia section of the Blue Trail. From Manarola, the path climbs steeply through dry-stone terraced vineyards — these are the ancient Sciacchetrà wine slopes — up to the hamlet of Volastra at around 340 metres. From Volastra, the route continues gently east before descending to Corniglia. Round trip approximately 5 km, with 340 metres of ascent. Allow 2.5–3 hours one way. No card required. Free. The views north to Vernazza and south to Riomaggiore from the vineyard ridgelines are the best on the entire Cinque Terre coast.
Every village in Cinque Terre has a medieval sanctuary perched in the hills above it, reached by ancient mule tracks. The paths to Sanctuary of Nossa Signora della Salute (above Riomaggiore), Sanctuary of Nossa Signora della Salute di Reggio (above Vernazza) and the Sanctuary of Nossa Signora di Soviore (above Monterosso) are all free, quiet and genuinely beautiful. The Soviore sanctuary above Monterosso is particularly rewarding — a simple bar serves cold drinks at the top, which you will appreciate after the climb.
From Riomaggiore, the Beccara trail (marked as path 2) climbs steeply inland and east along the high ridge towards the old fortifications and across to Campiglia, with sweeping views back over the southern villages. It forms part of the Alta Via delle Cinque Terre and connects into the long-distance AV5T ridgeline route. Free, no card required.
If the crowds in the five villages feel like too much, this is the antidote. The trail from Levanto (one stop north of Monterosso on the train) climbs to the Punta Mesco headland, circling the old lighthouse ruins, before descending to Monterosso. Around 10 km, 350 metres of ascent, roughly 3.5–4 hours. Panoramic views across the entire Cinque Terre arc with not a ticket booth in sight. Completely free. Combine with a train back to your base.
For serious hikers, the AV5T runs the full length of the national park along the high ridge from Portovenere in the south to Levanto in the north — approximately 45 km in total, traversing ancient terraces, mountain sanctuaries and remote cliff-edge viewpoints. The full route takes 2–3 days with an overnight stay; individual sections can be day-hiked by train. All free, no card required.
The short answer: only if you walk the paid coastal sections. All inland and high trails are free. But if you plan to walk any part of the Sentiero Azzurro — the Corniglia–Vernazza section, the Vernazza–Monterosso section, or the Via dell'Amore — you need a card or the appropriate ticket.
The Cinque Terre Card season runs 14 March–2 November 2026. Outside those dates, all trails including the coastal sections are free.
Access to the Sentiero Azzurro (open sections) and all national park services. Does not include train travel between villages. Priced by season:
Good if you're basing yourself in one village and walking just the trail sections — or if you've already bought separate train tickets.
Everything in the Trekking Card plus unlimited Cinque Terre Express train journeys between the five villages (and La Spezia). The better value for a full day of hiking multiple sections. Priced by season:
Essential if you want to hike one section, train to the next and hike back — or if you need to bypass the closed Manarola–Corniglia section.
Note: The Via dell'Amore requires a separate combined ticket (~€10), not the standard Trekking Card. Buy it in advance at the park's ticketing site to secure a timed slot. For everything else on the train and card logistics — single fares, timetables, where to buy, validation — see our dedicated Cinque Terre trains and Card guide.
Here's a practical comparison of the main hiking routes in Cinque Terre — distances, elevation change, time estimates (at a comfortable pace) and card requirements.
| Route | Distance | Elevation | Time | Difficulty | Card? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Via dell'Amore (Riomaggiore → Manarola) | 1.1 km | Flat | 20–30 min | Easy | ~€10 combined ticket |
| Manarola → Corniglia (Blue Trail) | 3.5 km | — | — | ⚠ CLOSED | N/A |
| Corniglia → Vernazza (Blue Trail) ★ | 3.8 km | ±200 m | 1.5–2 hrs | Moderate | Yes — Trekking Card |
| Vernazza → Monterosso (Blue Trail) | 3.5 km | ±200 m | 1.5–2 hrs | Strenuous | Yes — Trekking Card |
| Volastra (Manarola → Corniglia via high trail) ★ | 5 km | +340 m | 2.5–3 hrs | Moderate–hard | No — Free |
| Levanto → Monterosso via Punta Mesco | 10 km | +350 m | 3.5–4 hrs | Moderate | No — Free |
Times are estimates for a fit adult walking at a comfortable holiday pace. Add 15–20 minutes if you stop frequently for photos or swimming. Subtract 20 minutes if you're walking briskly. Elevation figures are approximate and represent cumulative gain on the hillier sections.
This is not a suggestion — it's park law. Closed-toe shoes with a gripped sole are mandatory on all paid trails (Sentiero Azzurro sections and the Via dell'Amore). Trail wardens check footwear at access gates and have the authority to turn back anyone in inappropriate shoes and issue fines on the spot.
What counts as appropriate: trail running shoes, hiking boots, sturdy walking shoes, sneakers with rubber soles and a reasonable grip. What does not: flip-flops, sandals, Birkenstock-style open shoes, heeled shoes, flat-soled canvas shoes (including most Converse/Vans), smooth-soled dress shoes.
The reason is real — not bureaucratic. The Cinque Terre paths are steep, often wet, and paved with old smooth stones that become treacherous in sun-warmed conditions. Falls are the leading cause of trail incidents, and the majority involve inappropriate footwear.
Footwear fines start at €50 and are issued on the spot by park wardens at trail access gates. Wardens actively check shoes before allowing entry. The rule applies to all paid sections — Via dell'Amore, Corniglia–Vernazza and Vernazza–Monterosso. If you arrive in flip-flops or sandals, you will not be allowed onto the trail.
For the high inland trails — Volastra, Punta Mesco, the sanctuary paths, the AV5T — there is no official enforcement, but the same logic applies: proper grip matters far more on the steep, stony, sometimes slippery inland paths than it does on the wide flat tarmac of the Via dell'Amore. Hiking boots or trail runners are the right choice for the full network.
May and September are the clear sweet spots for hiking. The temperatures are comfortable enough to climb the steep staircase sections without overheating, the trails are open, and the crowds — while still present — are noticeably thinner than the July–August peak. The light in both months is also outstanding: soft, golden and great for photography at the exposed viewpoints.
Spring (April–May) brings green, wildflower-covered hillsides and fresh vineyard foliage. The Cinque Terre Card season reopens on 14 March 2026, so the full network is available from mid-March. Be aware that several peak one-way dates in April and May bring strict trail management — check the 2026 trail status above before booking.
Autumn (September–October) is arguably the finest season for the high trails — the vineyard terraces turn gold, the grape harvest begins in late September, and the whole landscape takes on a warm harvest-season colour that spring can't match. The sea is at its warmest (around 22°C in September), so you can swim after hiking without a wetsuit.
Summer hiking (July–August) is possible but demanding. Midday temperatures on the exposed coastal sections regularly exceed 30°C (86°F), the direct sun is relentless, and there is little shade. Start before 9am, carry more water than you think you need, and plan to be back at the beach or a café terrace before midday. The high trails have more shade but more elevation.
Winter (November–March): outside the card season, all trails including the coastal sections are free. But winter brings genuine rainfall risk — the 2011 flash floods (542 mm of rain in a few hours) devastated Vernazza and Monterosso and remind you that the steep terraced hillsides funnel water extremely fast. Check trail status carefully and keep an eye on orange or red weather alerts from the park.
For the full seasonal breakdown — weather, crowds, sea temperatures and festival dates — see our best time to visit Cinque Terre guide.
The trails are well-maintained and heavily visited, but they are real mountain paths with real risks. Follow these guidelines and you'll have no problems.
For most day-trippers from Florence, doing the Cinque Terre independently is absolutely feasible — but it requires buying the right card, understanding the current trail status, timing the villages around the crowds, and keeping an eye on the weather. A guided day trip solves all of that in one booking.
The Florence: Cinque Terre Day Trip with Optional Hiking or Pisa is the most-reviewed guided hiking option from Florence on GetYourGuide: 4.9 stars across over 5,000 verified reviews. The tour includes a coach transfer from central Florence (about two hours each way), the Cinque Terre National Park entry card and train pass, a coastal boat ride between villages (April–October, weather permitting), and — for hikers — an optional guided cliff walk on the Corniglia–Vernazza section of the Blue Trail. The guide times the village visits around the crowds and adjusts for any trail changes on the day.
One traveller put it simply: "The guide was excellent — he knew exactly when to arrive in each village to avoid the worst queues and got us onto the trail before the day-trip rush. The hike from Corniglia to Vernazza was the highlight of the whole trip. Worth every penny." — James T., United Kingdom, 5★, GetYourGuide verified review.
The most-reviewed day trip from Florence combines the Cinque Terre Express, a coastal boat ride and — for those who want it — a guided cliff walk on the open Corniglia–Vernazza section of the Blue Trail. The guide times arrivals to beat the daily rush and adjusts the route for any closures on the day.
Hiking tip: choose the hike option at booking and the guide takes the group onto the Corniglia–Vernazza trail in the morning before the crowd peak. No card to buy separately — it's included in the tour price.
The questions hikers most often ask before setting out on the Cinque Terre trails.
Partially. The Corniglia–Vernazza and Vernazza–Monterosso sections are open. The Manarola–Corniglia section has been closed since 2015 for restoration and is not expected to reopen until around 2029. The Via dell'Amore (Riomaggiore–Manarola) reopened in August 2024 and is open in 2026 with timed entry slots.
Only if you walk the paid coastal sections — Via dell'Amore, Corniglia–Vernazza and Vernazza–Monterosso. The high trails and inland routes are free. The Trekking Card costs €7.50–€21 per day depending on season; the Treno MS Card (which adds unlimited train journeys) starts from €19.50/day. The card season runs 14 March–2 November 2026. See our trains and Card guide for full pricing and how to buy.
Closed-toe shoes with a grippy rubber sole are mandatory on all paid trails. Flip-flops, open sandals and smooth-soled shoes are banned and wardens issue fines starting at €50. Trail runners are fine for the Blue Trail; proper hiking boots are better for the steeper inland routes.
The two currently open sections take roughly 3.5–4.5 hours total at a comfortable pace: Corniglia to Vernazza is about 1.5–2 hours (3.8 km, moderate); Vernazza to Monterosso is 1.5–2 hours (3.5 km, strenuous). Add time for breaks, photos and the train between sections.
Yes. The Via dell'Amore (Riomaggiore to Manarola) reopened in August 2024. In 2026 it operates with 30-minute timed entry slots, a maximum of 200 people per slot, one-way direction only (Riomaggiore → Manarola), and a combined ticket of approximately €10. Advance booking is strongly recommended in high season.
The Vernazza–Monterosso section is the most strenuous — steep stone steps, exposed ridge stretches and around 200 metres of elevation change over 3.5 km. On peak spring dates in 2026, this section operates one-way (Monterosso → Vernazza only, 9am–2pm) — check the 2026 trail status section for specific dates.
Yes. All inland and high trails are free — including the Volastra route above Manarola, the Levanto–Monterosso trail via Punta Mesco (10 km, one of the finest hikes on the coast), the sanctuary trails above each village, and the Alta Via delle Cinque Terre ridgeline traverse. The only trails that charge are the Blue Trail coastal sections and the Via dell'Amore, and only during the card season (14 March–2 November 2026).
Absolutely. A guided day trip from Florence includes the coach transfer, the Cinque Terre Express train pass, park entry card, a coastal boat ride between villages, and an optional guided cliff walk on the Corniglia–Vernazza section. The journey from Florence takes about 2 hours each way. Check live availability above.
The Volastra route climbs from Manarola through ancient terraced vineyards to the hilltop hamlet of Volastra, then continues to Corniglia. Around 5 km one way, with 340 metres of ascent. No card required — completely free. It's the best alternative to the closed Manarola–Corniglia Blue Trail section, and the vineyard views are exceptional.
May and September are the sweet spots — comfortable temperatures, open trails, thinner crowds than high summer. Avoid hiking midday in July and August when temperatures on the exposed coastal path regularly exceed 30°C (86°F). Start before 9am or after 4pm in peak summer. For the full breakdown see our best time to visit guide.
All options from Florence
All three trips include the Cinque Terre Express train, park entry and free cancellation up to 24 hours before — so you can book now and adjust if trail conditions or your schedule change.
Three Cinque Terre villages and free time at the Leaning Tower of Pisa combined in a single day from Florence. A good option if you want a trail walk and an iconic landmark in the same trip — the guide builds in time at both.
All five villages by coach, train and boat — with the option to add a Ligurian street food lunch in the village. Ideal for those who want to combine a walk on the trail with focaccia, anchovy bruschetta and local Sciacchetrà wine in Vernazza or Manarola.
See all five villages from the water, stop at Portovenere with its striking Byron's Grotto and medieval church, and let the boat do the connecting between villages — no trail card to sort, no platform queuing. Best April–October when the Ligurian Sea is at its most beautiful.
Ready to hit the trail
The most-reviewed guided day trip from Florence includes the Cinque Terre Card, Cinque Terre Express train pass, coastal boat ride between villages, and an optional guided cliff walk on the Corniglia–Vernazza section of the Blue Trail. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before means you can lock in a date now and change it if the forecast shifts.
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