Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail), Cinque Terre

The Sentiero Azzurro, or Blue Trail, is the most famous footpath in Liguria and one of Italy's iconic coastal walks, connecting the five villages of the Cinque Terre, Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, along roughly 12 kilometres of cliffside path within the Cinque Terre National Park. The trail follows centuries-old mule tracks built to link the isolated fishing and wine villages before the railway, climbing through dry-stone vineyard terraces, holm oak and pine, and opening to dramatic views over the turquoise sea and the pastel houses stacked above the harbours. The route requires a Cinque Terre Trekking Card or National Park card, which funds maintenance of the paths and is checked at access points. The classic direction runs south from Monterosso, beginning with a steep climb over the headland to Vernazza, generally regarded as the most demanding and scenic stretch, followed by the equally strenuous section from Vernazza to Corniglia, which ends with a flight of 377 steps, the Lardarina, up to the hilltop village. The final coastal sections, Corniglia to Manarola and the celebrated Via dell'Amore from Manarola to Riomaggiore, are largely flat and paved, though landslides and storm damage have periodically closed these lower stretches for restoration over the years, so current openings should be checked before setting out. Cumulative ascent across the full traverse is around 600 metres, with the gradient concentrated in the two northern sections. The path surface ranges from stone steps and paved promenade to rocky natural track, and exposed sections offer little shade, making sun protection and water essential in summer. Each village provides trains, cafes, and water fountains, allowing hikers to break the route into stages and return by the frequent regional train that links all five settlements in minutes. The combination of vineyard terraces, fishing harbours, and sweeping Mediterranean panoramas, all within a UNESCO World Heritage landscape, makes the Sentiero Azzurro the defining hiking experience of the Ligurian Riviera.