Trekking at Vernazza

Vernazza is arguably the most fascinating village of the Cinque Terre, as well as the starting point of some spectacular trails. This page explains how to reach Monterosso, Corniglia or the Madonna di Reggio (or maybe to go trekking along all the Cinque Terre) and it shows some pictures that will make you want to go to Vernazza right now ... starting from Vernazza and his photogenic little harbour!

Starting from west, Vernazza is the second of the Cinque Terre (Five Lands) after Monterosso and before Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. The most popular of the hiking trails that cross this stretch of coast is the Blue Path that connects all the Cinque Terre: the Monterosso Vernazza portion of the path is probably the most beautiful and challenging. The other treks described on this page are much less crowded.

The Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Path) is a bit expensive (the ticket costs 7.5 euros; alternatively, there is the Cinque Terre Card that includes also the travels by train). Starting from Vernazza, it is easy to follow the signs for Monterosso: you walk along the cemetery and then you climb quickly up to 150 meters of altitude. The views are sensational.

You continue on various ups and downs and after about a couple of hours (for 3.6 kms of trekking itinerary) you get to Monterosso, in the oldest part of the village (Fegina). If you are non a very tight budget, you may try to trek this path during the closing time of the ticket office, that is, in summer, after 6 pm. This method is not infallible, but anyway it allows you to admire the views at sunset.

As for the other villages of the Cinque Terre (and in general of the Ligurian coast) the train is the best way to to reach Monterosso or Vernazza, therefore, if you want to go back after the one-way trek, you can easily follow the beautiful promenade of Monterosso and arrive in a moment at the train station.

Alternatively, you can consider other paths: above each of the Cinque Terre there is a panoramic sanctuary and these are connected by equally scenic trails, which are all free!

Above Monterosso there is the sanctuary of Soviore, reachable from the village by a path. From here, you can walk along the route of the sanctuaries to the Madonna di Reggio, above Vernazza. Along the way, you can enjoy sensational views of Vernazza and the Cinque Terre coastline.

From the Madonna di Reggio it is possible to trek down to Vernazza through another path (free); alternatively, you can continue to the sanctuary of Nostra Signore delle Grazie, above Corniglia ... which is an excellent idea also to admire some incredible views of this fascinating village of the Cinque Terre.

Corniglia and Vernazza are otherwise connected by the Blue Path (always marked SVA2), which, if it is not interrupted by landslides, is less tiring than trekking to Monterosso and takes about an hour and a half.
Of course, this is not a good reason to face this portion of the path wearing flip-flops or shoes with heels (yes, sometimes you can see tourists in these conditions! :D).

Obviously, the hiking trail that covers all Cinque Terre deserves to be walked in its entirety in a pretty intense but spectacular trekking day. However, this article is dedicated mainly to Vernazza, so we add a couple more beautiful images of its houses and its harbour.

Another wonderful itinerary in the area is the path that leads from Riomaggiore, the easternmost village of the Cinque Terre, to Portovenere via Monesteroli. Read here about this trekking itinerary, one of the best in the world. Alternatively, it is an excellent idea, perhaps even more spectacular, to exploe the Cinque Terre coast by kayak.
This is the map of the paths between Monterosso and Vernazza.

If you want to spend more days here visiting, trekking and kayaking in Vernazza click here to find the best offers for accomodation.
If you enjoyed photos and info, please like the following Facebook page by clicking here (you'll find updates with info, photos and new itineraries):