5 Terre: Blue Trail #2 from Vernazza to Corniglia

Fancy a stroll through the "Cinque Terre"?

Get ready to have your breath taken away by the views on the stretch of the Blue Trail #2 connecting Vernazza to Corniglia.

I did this hike through Liguria's famous “5 lands” on 2 different occasions during my time in Italy.

Why 2 times?

Because I didn't get the chance to do it more.

Looking at the photos, you'll understand why. 😉

Technical details

• Difficulty: medium.
• Length: 4.1 km (one way).
• Elevation gain:  269 m.
• Hiking time: 2 hours.
• Start: Vernazza.
• End: Corniglia.
• Date completed (photos): February, 2018.

Heads up:

At the time of writing this post (January, 2020), this trail is closed to the public due to landslides and other storm damage.

It's a common occurrence along the Cinque Terre coast because of its exposure to the sea.

Before planning your hike, check the trail conditions on the park's official website (you'll find the link at the end of this post).

Blue Trail from Vernazza to Corniglia (or vice versa)

Climb to the upper part of Vernazza

From Vernazza train station, head up away from the sea until you find this sign on the wall.

There are other ways to access the trail from the town center, but this is one of the easiest to follow.

From here, all you have to do is follow the markers.

Remember that the Blue Trail #2 is marked with two stripes, one red and one white.

Shortly after, once you've climbed a few flights of stairs in the upper part of Vernazza, you'll get spectacular views of the town from behind, tower included.

One thing is undeniable: Vernazza doesn't have a bad angle.

If you don't believe it, just look at the picture-perfect scene waiting for you when you finish the first section of the Blue Trail #2 from Monterosso to Vernazza.

Like I said, Vernazza never disappoints.

Walk with sea views

Once you leave behind the view of the tower over the sea, you'll reach the park booth (where you'll need to pay the entrance fee if you don't already have a pass).

From there on, much of the path (usually protected by a railing, though not always) hugs the coast, offering stunning cliffside views.

Every now and then, train tracks pop up between the hillsides.

The best part?

Corniglia comes into clearer focus with every step.

A charming little village with colorful houses in true 5 Terre style.

Unlike the other 4 villages that make up the Cinque Terre, though, Corniglia doesn't have direct access to the sea.

It's true you can head down to a small beach if you're up for a stair workout, but it doesn't have a harbor.

Arrival in Corniglia

And now that you're so close, you can even make out the details of Manarola, the next village silhouetted against the coast.

Shortly after, you'll hit the paved road that leads right into the town center.

I couldn't really explain why, but Corniglia has always been my favorite.

I recommend strolling down its main street to reach the viewpoint overlooking the sea:

Want to catch the train?

If so, head back to the entrance of the village and keep following the paved road that brought you here.

You'll quickly spot the signs for the station next to a huge zigzagging staircase.

Good luck with those stairs!

Once you reach the bottom, you'll see the path to the station right in front of you.

Blue Trail #2: requirements to visit

Maintaining the Blue Trail #2 is demanding because, due to its exposure to the sea, certain sections need to be closed every year to repair damage caused by autumn and winter storms.

Because of this, access requires purchasing an entry ticket in advance, which also gives you access to buses, public restrooms at train stations, and even some museums.

The price of this ticket varies depending on the condition of the trails and can be bought as a simple pass (€5 to €8) or including unlimited local train rides throughout the area (€16 for one day).

Where can you get this ticket?

• Online (you have the link in the final section Useful Links).
• At the trail entrance points.
• At local train stations.

Top tip: if you're buying it with the train service included, get it before arriving in the 5 Terre to make the most of it! 😉

How to get to and get around the Cinque Terre

By train

The best way to visit the 5 Terre?

Without a doubt, the train: fast and affordable.

There are several regional routes that stop in some of the villages making up the Cinque Terre, along with other lines connecting them to each other.

Their frequency (and price, if we're talking about the ones stopping in Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore) varies depending on the season.

I recommend checking the official Trenitalia website (link at the end of this post) to find your ideal schedule and route. 😉

Boat

Another great way to explore the 5 Terre is to take a boat tour.

The Golfo dei Poeti ferry company operates routes from La Spezia and Levanto, running more frequently during the summer.

This option costs a bit more and limits your visiting time in each village, but it undoubtedly offers coastal views you just couldn't get any other way.

Car

Don't even think about it.

When to visit the Cinque Terre

It really depends on how you want to experience 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'll want to go in summer (June, July, August, and September). Heads up: you might get an unforgettable swim, but the streets, trains, and trails will be packed to the brim. In other words, this season isn't for you if you're allergic to crowds.
• If you want to go hiking: the best time is in late September or early October, before the autumn storms hit, or in May, once they've finished repairing any trails damaged over the winter.
• If you want the villages all to yourself: during the winter months (January, February, March), you can soak up the 5 Terre without the crowds. That said, if you can, try to steer clear of weekends and public holidays.

What to bring

• Food: pack whatever you feel like eating during the hike in your backpack. Need some inspiration?: focaccia, fruit, nuts, cookies…
• Water: you'll find drinking water in both Vernazza and Corniglia, but not along the trail itself, so I recommend carrying at least 1 liter per person (in summer, make it 1.5). 😉
• Sun protection: the route is mostly out in the open, so bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen…
• What to wear: lightweight clothes, a warm layer depending on the season, and (a must for hiking) shoes with good trekking soles; meaning no sandals. By the way, remember to pack your swimsuit—you'll definitely want to take a dip in Vernazza.
• Travel insurance: if you don't have a European Health Insurance Card, book your IATI travel insurance through this link and get a 5% discount. They offer customizable coverage tailored to your needs and cover all medical expenses upfront if you notify them beforehand.

Where to sleep

Since I lived in Genoa for 5 years, my trips to the 5 Terre were always 1-day getaways by train.

Although I have to admit, with how charming these villages are, I always felt the urge to stay overnight in one of their cozy rural guesthouses.

The downside is that I can't recommend a specific one. Sorry about that! 🙂

Useful links

• Official park map with updated trail conditions.
• Online tickets to visit the Cinque Terre national park.
• Trenitalia official website.
• Golfo dei Poeti boats from La Spezia and Levanto.
• Hotel deals in the area.
• Flights to Italy: Trabber, eDreams, Momondo, and Vueling.
• 5% discount when booking your travel insurance with IATI.

Planning a trip to the 5 Terre?

Then you'll definitely want to check out these posts too:

• Route along the Blue Trail #2 from Monterosso to Vernazza.
• Discover the Cinque Terre village by village.

Map

Got any questions about this hiking trail in the Cinque Terre between Vernazza and Corniglia?

Leave your question down below. 😉