# Can you walk the trails of the Cinque Terre? Canonical: https://zestasy.com/wiki/cinque-terre-walk/ Section: Zestasy Wiki > Movement · Updated: 2026-10-14 · Publisher: Zestasy *Zestasy Wiki: our reference answers. Checked for facts and sources; less curated than the magazine.* Yes, though not every section of the famous coastal path is open at any given time, so check the national park's trail status before you go. The busiest coastal stretches between Monterosso, Vernazza and Corniglia, plus the Via dell'Amore, need a Cinque Terre Trekking Card, and the park bans open or smooth-soled shoes on its trails. Start early to avoid the midday heat and the crowds, carry water, and expect paths to close during weather alerts. Walking between the five villages of the Cinque Terre is one of those rare tourist experiences that is even better than the postcards. The path clings to the cliffs above the sea, threads through vineyards and lemon terraces, and drops you into a harbour village just as you start to think about a cold drink. It is also a real mountain path in places, with steps, drops and narrow sections, and it is managed by the Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre, whose rules you need to know. This is a summary in our own words; the park's website and info points have the current details. ## The coastal path and which sections are open The classic route is the Sentiero Azzurro, part of the park's coastal network. The park's trail network page lists the sections village by village, each with a label showing whether it is open and how demanding it is. When we checked, it listed: - **Riomaggiore to Manarola**, the Via dell'Amore: a short, easy stretch that needs advance booking. - **Manarola to Corniglia**: marked as closed. - **Corniglia to Vernazza**: open, around an hour and a half, rated for experienced walkers. - **Vernazza to Monterosso**: open, around two hours, also rated for experienced walkers. Sections close and reopen after landslides and repairs, so check the [park's trail network page](https://www.parconazionale5terre.it/rete-sentieristica.php) or ask at an info point on the day. There is also a wider network of higher, quieter paths through the vineyards and sanctuaries above the villages, which are a lovely alternative when the coast is busy. ## The Trekking Card According to the park, the Cinque Terre Trekking Card gives access to the coastal stretch between Monterosso, Vernazza and Corniglia and to the Via dell'Amore, along with village buses and some other services. It is sold by the day at park info points along the railway and online. Prices vary with demand, so check the [Trekking Card page](https://www.parconazionale5terre.it/pagina.php?id=149) before you go. The park's FAQ notes that access can be limited on very crowded days or for safety reasons. ## The footwear rule This one catches people out. The park's hiker guide states that open shoes and smooth-soled shoes are banned on its trails, and that people who break the rule can be fined. Closed shoes with a grippy sole are the minimum; the park prefers walking boots. Flip-flops are for the beach at the end. ## Heat, crowds and timing The coastal path is exposed, steep in places and very popular. A few cues: - **Start early.** Morning is cooler and calmer, and you reach each village before the day visitors arrive. - **Avoid the middle of the day in summer.** The NHS advises staying in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm in hot weather and avoiding activity that makes you hotter. Our guide to [exercising in the heat](https://zestasy.com/movement/exercising-in-the-heat/) has more. - **Carry water.** The park suggests a reusable bottle and planning around the fountains marked on its maps. - **Consider spring and autumn.** Shoulder seasons are often pleasanter for walking than August. - **Walk one section and take the train back.** The park's info points sit along the coastal railway, so a single stretch with a long lunch is a perfectly good day. ## Weather alerts and safety The park's guide says that walking the trails in bad weather is not allowed, that during a yellow weather alert it advises against using the trail network, and that during an orange or red alert the whole network is closed. It also advises checking trail conditions before you set off, not walking alone, telling someone your route, turning back if in doubt, and calling 112 in an emergency. ## FAQ ### Can you walk all five villages in one day? When all the coastal sections are open, some people do, but it is a long, hot day with plenty of steps, and closures often make it impossible anyway. Two or three villages on foot, with swims and lunch, is the more civilised plan. ### Which direction should you walk? There is no single right answer, but starting where the climb is gentlest for you and finishing in a village with a good train connection is a practical approach. Ask at an info point which way the crowds are moving that day. ### Are there easier walks for children or less confident walkers? Yes. The park's website has a section on paths for everyone (*sentieri per tutti*). Ask at an info point for routes that suit your group. ### Can you swim along the way? A swim is a fine reward, but only where swimming is allowed and signposted. Follow local signs, flags and lifeguards, and cool down a little in the shade before you go in. ## Sources - [Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre: Rete sentieristica (trail network)](https://www.parconazionale5terre.it/rete-sentieristica.php) - [Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre: Vademecum escursionista](https://www.parconazionale5terre.it/pagina.php?id=333) - [Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre: Cinque Terre Trekking Card](https://www.parconazionale5terre.it/pagina.php?id=149) - [Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre: FAQ Cinque Terre Card](https://www.parconazionale5terre.it/pagina.php?id=467) - [NHS: Heatwave, how to cope in hot weather](https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/heatwave-how-to-cope-in-hot-weather/) - [Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre: home page](https://www.parconazionale5terre.it/) ## Related - [How do you exercise in hot weather?](https://zestasy.com/movement/exercising-in-the-heat/) - [What are good active things to do on an Italian holiday?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/active-italian-holiday/) - [How do you choose a hiking trail you'll actually enjoy?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/choosing-a-hiking-trail/) - [How do you walk uphill without getting out of breath?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/walking-uphill/) - [How do you avoid blisters on a long walk?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/long-walk-blisters/) - [All Movement answers in the Wiki](https://zestasy.com/wiki/#movement)