Soggiorna
The Azzurro Trail is the coastal path that connects the five villages of the Cinque Terre, the most well-known and frequented in the entire park. It is not a single continuous track managed in the same way everywhere: some sections require a fee and are regulated by the Cinque Terre National Park (entrance ticket, sometimes reservation), while others can be accessed freely. The most famous section, the Via dell'Amore between Riomaggiore and Manarola, has a separate history of closures (see the dedicated guide).
Verified Data
- Start and finish: Riomaggiore → Monterosso al Mare
- Trail code: SVA (Sentiero Verde Azzurro), CAI hiking network
- One way or loop: one way (you can return by train: the Genoa-La Spezia line stops in all five villages)
- Kilometers: 11.2 km (calculated from the official track; the figure of ~12 km often cited is consistent within rounding)
- Elevation gain: not confirmed by the REL/CAI sheet (the data is not present on OpenStreetMap for this relation) — expect continuous ups and downs typical of the coastal path
- Difficulty: E (hiking)
- Walking time: not confirmed by the REL/CAI sheet; consider a full day to enjoy all the stops in the villages, or 4-5 hours of walking only
- Responsible authority: Cinque Terre National Park
- Last verification: 2026-07-24
Access and Ticket
The Azzurro Trail crosses an area with regulated access by the Cinque Terre National Park: some sections require the Cinque Terre Card (which also includes local transport), while others are free. Conditions change over time and from section to section — always check the updated schedules and prices on the official Park website before you leave, especially if you plan to visit the Via dell'Amore (Riomaggiore-Manarola), which has had prolonged closures due to landslides in recent years.
What to Expect
The path alternates between hillside sections among terraced vineyards and olive trees and descents towards the sea, with views of the villages suddenly opening up after a curve. It is not a flat route: despite the E difficulty, the ups and downs accumulate throughout the day, especially in the sections between Corniglia and Vernazza and between Vernazza and Monterosso, the most challenging of the entire itinerary.
Before You Go
- Always check the opening status of individual sections with the Cinque Terre National Park: landslides and storm surges can cause prolonged closures, and not all sections reopen at the same time.
- Wear hiking shoes: despite the name "trail," several sections are unpaved and uneven, not a simple seaside stroll.
- Consider the train for the return: the local railway connects all five villages and is the most convenient way to avoid walking back.