Are you coming for a walk in the "Cinque Terre?
The famous Blue Trail #2 begins (or ends) with the stretch overlooking the sea that connects Monterosso and Vernazza.
This was the first hike I did in the famous "5 lands" of Liguria when I went to live in Italy.
Hard to forget...
Technical specifications
- Difficulty: medium.
- Length: 3.7 km (one way).
- Elevation gain: 217 m (steep, at the beginning and end).
- Travel time: 2-3 hours.
- Start: Monterosso.
- Final: Vernazza.
- Date of realization (photographs): May , 2013.
Notice:
At the time of this writing (January, 2020), this trail is closed to the public due to landslides and other storm damage.
This is common along the Cinque Terre coastline due to its exposure to the sea.
Before organizing your excursion, check the road conditions on the park's official website (link at the end of this post).
Blue trail from Monterosso to Vernazza (or vice versa)
Initial ascent from Monterosso
When you are in the central square of Monterosso al Mare, take the road that goes in the direction of the Hotel Porto Roca.
From there a long stone staircase leads up to the top of the trail.
I know that so much "step" may seem like an ordeal, but when I did this trail, the stairs did not exist (or were in very bad shape). I even had to climb some sections on all fours on a narrow path of dirt and undergrowth.
So be thankful for so much stepping stone 😉.
Promenade with sea view
Once you reach the top of the trail you can relax and enjoy the walk among crops and vegetation.
Almost the entire road offers breathtaking views of the sea, Monterosso and Vernazza.
And I say heart-stopping because sometimes (only sometimes) the trail is very narrow or with little protection, so be careful 😉.
Descent to Vernazza
As you approach Vernazza the perspective of the town from the heights becomes hypnotic.
That's exactly why I recommend doing this section of Blue Trail #2 in this direction (Monterosso ➔ Vernazza) and not the other way around.
After many stops to immortalize this view, you reach the village.
Sendero Azul nº2: requirements to visit it
The maintenance of the Blue Trail No. 2 is demanding since, due to its exposure to the sea, every year some segments need to be closed to repair the damage caused by the autumn-winter storms.
Because of this, its access requires the prior payment of an entrance fee that also gives you access to buses, public restrooms at train stations and even some museums.
The price of this ticket varies according to the state of the roads and can be purchased in simple mode (from 5 to 8€) or also including unlimited train rides in the area (16€ for one day).
Where to get this ticket?
- Online (you have the link in the final section Useful Links).
- At the entrance gates to the trail.
- At the train stations in the area.
Recommendation: if you are going to buy it with train service included, do it before arriving at the 5 Terre to make the most of it 😉.
How to get to and around Cinque Terre
Train
The best way to visit the 5 Terre?
Undoubtedly, the train: fast and economical.
There are several regional routes that stop in some of the towns that make up the Cinque Terre, along with other lines that connect them with each other.
Their frequency (and price, if we are talking about those stopping at Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore) varies according to the season.
I recommend you check the official Trenitalia website (link at the end of this post) to find your ideal schedule and route 😉.
Boat
Another way to visit the 5 Terre is to take a boat excursion.
The shipping company Golfo dei Poeti offers routes from La Spezia and Levanto, more frequently in summer.
This option costs more and conditions the time spent in the villages, but it undoubtedly offers views of the coast that would be impossible to obtain in any other way.
Car
Don't even think about it.
When to go to Cinque Terre
It depends on how you want to live it.
You can visit the villages of the Cinque Terre at any time of the year, but...
- If you want to enjoy the sea: you will have to go in summer (June, July, August and September). Be careful, you may have an unforgettable swim, but the streets, trains and paths will be full of boats. In other words, this season is not suitable for people allergic to crowds.
- If you want to hike: the best time is in late September or early October, before the autumn storms begin, or in May, when the trails that were damaged during the previous winter have been rehabilitated.
- If you want to have the villages all to yourself: during the winter months (January, February, March) you can enjoy the 5 Terre without crowds. However, if you can, avoid weekends or holidays.
What to bring
- Food: put in your backpack whatever you feel like eating during the excursion: focaccia, fruit, dried fruit, cookies...
- Water: you will find drinking water both in Monterosso and Vernazza, but not along the way, so I recommend you to carry at least 1 liter per person (in summer, better if it's 1.5) 😉.
- Sun protection: the tour runs in the open air most of the time, so bring sunglasses, hat, sunscreen...
- Clothing: light clothing, a warm layer depending on the time of year and (mandatory if you are hiking) shoes with a sole suitable for trekking, i.e. no sandals. By the way, remember to bring your swimsuit, you will certainly feel like taking a dip when you get to Vernazza or Monterosso.
- Travel insurance: if you don't have a European health card, book your IATI travel insurance through this link and get a 5% discount. They offer customizable coverage according to your needs and will pay all medical expenses in advance if you let them know in advance.
Where to stay
Since I lived in Genoa for 5 years, the excursions to the 5 Terre for me were 1-day excursions by train.
Although I must admit that, with the charm of the villages, I always felt like spending the night in one of their rural lodgings.
The bad thing is that I can't recommend you any specific one, sorry! 🙂 🙂
Useful Links
- Official map of the park with updated trail status.
- Online tickets to visit the Cinque Terre park.
- Trenitalia website.
- Boats from La Spezia and Levanto Golfo dei Poeti.
- Hotel offers in the area.
- Flights to Italy: Trabber, eDreams,Momondo, andVueling.
- Get 5% off when you purchase travel insurance with IATI.
On route in the 5 Terre?
Then these entries are also of interest to you:
- Discover the Cinque Terre village by village.
- Route along the Blue Trail #2 from Vernazza to Corniglia.
Map
Do you have any questions about this hiking route in the Cinque Terre between Vernazza and Monterosso?
Leave your question below 😉