Booking choice: The small-group tour from La Spezia, from $92 per person. Check dates Compare the options below
The Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail, route 592) runs about 12 km from Monterosso to Riomaggiore in four sections. In late September 2026 three were open and one, Corniglia to Manarola, was still closed, as it has been since 2013.
Walking the coastal path needs a paid card. On a day trip from Milan, one section is the realistic maximum.
The quick answer
Open in late September 2026: Monterosso to Vernazza (about 1.5 to 2 hours), Vernazza to Corniglia (about 1.5 hours) and the Via dell'Amore from Riomaggiore to Manarola (about 25 to 30 minutes, booked slot, one way). Closed: Corniglia to Manarola. You need a Trekking Card or Treno card, and closed shoes with grip: flip-flops and smooth soles are banned.
Which Cinque Terre trails are open in 2026?
Three of the four coastal sections were open in late September 2026; Corniglia to Manarola remains closed.
Status changes after storms and maintenance, so check the park's trail status page on the morning you walk.
| Section | Status (late Sep 2026) | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monterosso to Vernazza | Open | About 1.5 to 2 h | Rated expert: steep steps |
| Vernazza to Corniglia | Open | About 1.5 h | Ends at hilltop Corniglia |
| Corniglia to Manarola | Closed since 2013 | n/a | Detour via Volastra, 2.5 to 3 h |
| Riomaggiore to Manarola (Via dell'Amore) | Open, booking required | 25 to 30 min | One way only, 900 m |
Do you need a ticket to hike the Cinque Terre?
Yes. The coastal Sentiero Azzurro needs a Cinque Terre Trekking Card or a Treno MS Card.
The Trekking Card costs an adult €10 on standard days and €15 on high-traffic days in 2026; the Treno card (from €22) adds the local trains. The Via dell'Amore needs a €10 supplement on top. Prices and the value maths are in the Cinque Terre Card guide. The Volastra detour around the closed section is free.
Prefer a local guide to handle the trains and boats between villages? This small group meets you at La Spezia station.
Check dates for the small-group tour from La SpeziaHow does the Via dell'Amore booking work?
Book a date and time slot in advance; entry is sold only as a €10 supplement to a Cinque Terre Card, at most 400 people an hour.
The path reopened on 26 July 2024 after 12 years. It is one way only, from Riomaggiore to Manarola, and you have at most 30 minutes to walk its 900 metres. Booking hours are 9:00 to 21:00 until 24 October 2026, then 9:00 to 17:30 from 25 October.
How long does Monterosso to Vernazza take?
About 1.5 to 2 hours. It is the most popular day-trip hike and ends with the classic view down over Vernazza.
The trail status page rates it expert: it is mostly steps, narrow in places, with little shade. Start early in summer, carry water, and then take the train or boat on. On busy days some sections may run one way. This is the hike to add to a one-day plan if you want just one.
What footwear is allowed on the trails?
Closed shoes with grip. Flip-flops, open or backless sandals and smooth soles are banned, with fines that can reach €2,500.
Typical fines are reported at €50 to €100, and rangers check in peak season. Trainers with a good tread are enough for a single section; hiking shoes are better for Monterosso to Vernazza. More in what to wear in the Cinque Terre.
Not a hiker? The small group tour covers three villages by train and boat, with a guide who knows the timetables.
Check dates for the small-group tour from La SpeziaCan you still walk from Corniglia to Manarola?
Not along the coast: that section has been closed since 2013. The detour climbs via Volastra, takes about 2.5 to 3 hours and is free.
It is a fine walk through terraced vineyards, but too long for most day trips from Milan. Corniglia itself sits about 100 metres above the sea, about 380 steps above its station.
Which hike fits a day trip from Milan?
One of two: Monterosso to Vernazza if you are fit and start early, or the Via dell'Amore if you want a short, easy walk with a booked slot.
With about 4 to 6 hours on the coast, a 2-hour hike costs you a village. Pair Monterosso to Vernazza with an afternoon in Manarola and Riomaggiore, or start in Riomaggiore with the Via dell'Amore and work north by train.
Three villages with a local guide in a group of at most 12, moving by train and, in season, by boat. Train and boat tickets are extra: the listing puts them at €34 to €47.
Explore the small-group tour from La SpeziaWhen is the best season to hike?
Spring and autumn: mid-May to mid-June and September to early October.
July and August reach 25 to 30 °C, and the trails have little shade. March and April are around 15 °C and pleasant for walking. In winter the trails get maintenance closures, and the boats stop after 1 November.
Visiting in the cooler months? The small group tour runs by train when the boats stop.
Check dates for the small-group tour from La SpeziaFrequently asked questions
Is the Via dell'Amore open in 2026?
Yes, with restrictions: you must book a time slot, buy the €10 supplement on a Cinque Terre Card and walk one way from Riomaggiore to Manarola.
Can you walk the Via dell'Amore from Manarola to Riomaggiore?
No. It is one way only, from Riomaggiore to Manarola.
Is Cinque Terre hiking hard?
The coastal sections are short but steep and full of steps. Monterosso to Vernazza is rated expert; the Via dell'Amore is flat and easy.
Can you get fined for wearing sandals?
Yes. Flip-flops, open sandals and smooth soles are banned on the trails, with fines that can reach €2,500.
Ready to book
Choose your day
Check the cancellation terms: private and first-class train days are non-refundable. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
Small-Group Villages Tour from La Spezia
A guide on arrival if you take the train yourself
First-Class Train & Private Guide from Milan
- Round-trip first-class train tickets Milan to the Cinque Terre, emailed the day before
- A private licensed guide in the villages, itinerary adjusted to you
- Local trains between the villages
3-Hour Boat Tour with Swim Stops
All five villages from the water, pesto on board
