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Cinque Terre Italy, October

Treks / Italy

Cinque Terre: Sentiero Azzurro

Italy · Nearest city: Genoa (also La Spezia, Pisa)

TypeDay hike
Days1
Distance≈ 12 km
Climbingvaries
Highest pointlow-level

The famous Blue Path linking the five villages of the Cinque Terre on cliffs above the sea. Short, but steep in places.

Fitness Moderate
Best seasonMarch to November

Watch out: A Cinque Terre Card is needed for the path, and sections close after heavy rain.

Why people choose it

It's one of the most photographed coastal walks in the world, linking five colourful villages clinging to cliffs above the sea.

What makes it different

  • Five villages in one short day
  • Cliffs, vineyards and swimming spots
  • Trains link every village

Route options

There is rarely just one way to walk Cinque Terre: Sentiero Azzurro. These are the main choices people make.

Similar treks to consider

Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) via the Pyg Track United Kingdom (Wales) · 1 day · 12 km The most popular route up the highest mountain in Wales, starting from Pen-y-Pass with views of glacial lakes. Samaria Gorge Greece (Crete) · 1 day · 16 km A long downhill walk through one of Europe's longest gorges, from the White Mountains to the Libyan Sea. Montserrat: Sant Jeroni Spain · 1 day · 12 km A day hike from the Montserrat monastery through saw-toothed rock towers to the highest point of the massif.

Before you go

Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.

Phone and data

Phone plans from the EU and EEA roam here at home prices. Coming from the US, UK or elsewhere? A Europe data eSIM is usually far cheaper than roaming.

Europe eSIM on Airalo

Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.

Insurance that covers this trek

Most travel insurance includes hiking at this height. Check that hiking is listed and that medical evacuation is covered.

Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section, or join an Alpine club: membership of the Austrian Alpenverein (it has an English-speaking UK section) includes rescue cover of up to €25,000.

World NomadsHeymondoSafetyWingTrue Traveller

True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.

Camping and where to sleep

Rules vary by region and park. Bivouacs are often tolerated high in the mountains for one night; camping in valleys and parks is usually restricted.

Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.

Route map

Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.

Straight lines between stops Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city

Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. We don't have the exact trail for this route yet, so stops are joined with straight lines. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.

Stops: Monterosso al Mare → Vernazza → Corniglia → Manarola → Riomaggiore

Simple overview map
Monterosso al MareVernazzaCornigliaManarolaGenoa20 kmN

Step by step

  1. Months before

    Plan and book

    • Get the required permit, reservation or ticket. Popular dates sell out.
    • Best time to go: March to November.
  2. 6–12 weeks before

    Train and test your gear

    • Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
    • Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
    • Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.

    Readiness quiz · Packing list

  3. Getting there

    Travel to the start

    • Most people start from Genoa.
  4. On the trail

    Walk it

    • Start early and set a turnaround time. Be back down before the weather turns or daylight fades.
    • Carry water, food, a warm layer and a rain jacket even on a sunny day.
  5. The finish

    Get home

    • It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.

How the season changes things

Best time: March to November

March to May

Spring

The best time for most people: green hills, wildflowers and comfortable temperatures.

Bring

  • Light layers
  • Sun hat
  • A light rain jacket for showers

June to August

Summer

Hot, often above 30°C, with little shade. Start at dawn and rest in the afternoon. Fire risk can close paths.

Bring

  • 2–3 litres of water
  • Sun hat and long sleeves
  • Electrolytes

September to November

Autumn

Warm sea and settled weather in early autumn, with the first storms arriving later.

Bring

  • Rain jacket from October
  • Light layers
  • Headlamp as days shorten

Be ready for

Heat

Start at dawn, rest in the shade at midday, and carry more water than you think. Electrolytes help.

Water filters →

What you'll see

8 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.

Cinque Terre Italy, October
Vernazza and the sea, Cinque Terre, Italy
Monterosso al Mare-panorama-paese
Near VernazzaVernazza from the Corniglia trail, Cinque Terre, Italy, April
Near CornigliaCinque Terre, San Bernardino (Vernazza) - panoramio
Near Monterosso al MareLigne Ferroviaire Cinque Terre - Monterosso al Mare IT42
Near ManarolaVigneti tra Riomaggiore e Campiglia
Near ManarolaVue Riomaggiore - Riomaggiore IT42

Gear for the Cinque Terre: Sentiero Azzurro

Hiking boots Top pick: La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX Trekking poles Top pick: Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Rain jackets Top pick: Patagonia Torrentshell 3L

Photo credits: Cinque Terre Italy, October by Bruno Rijsman, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Vernazza and the sea, Cinque Terre, Italy by https://www.flickr.com/photos/150594450@N07/, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Monterosso al Mare-panorama-paese by Davide Papalini, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Vernazza from the Corniglia trail, Cinque Terre, Italy, April by Mathieu Chollet - MChollet, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Cinque Terre, San Bernardino (Vernazza) - panoramio by Carlo Pelagalli, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Ligne Ferroviaire Cinque Terre - Monterosso al Mare IT42 by Chabe01, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Vigneti tra Riomaggiore e Campiglia by Davide Mauro, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Vue Riomaggiore - Riomaggiore IT42 by Chabe01, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.