Difficulty: Moderate ◼︎
Length: 7.5 miles one way
Elevation Gain: 1,800 feet
Dog Friendly: Yes
Trailhead coordinates (copy + paste): 44.1210, 9.7090 (Corniglia) 44.1467, 9.6570 (Monterosso)
Directions: Your starting point will vary depending on which town you are staying in, but the entrance points are not difficult to find— just look at any local map. You will need to purchase a Cinque Terre pass (either hike only or hike and train, up to you) at the trailhead.
An absolute must-do while in Cinque Terre, Sentiero Azzurro or "Blue Path" is world-famous for a reason. This four-part trail ventures through the five main towns, beginning in Riomaggiore and leading through Manarola, Corniglia, and Vernazza to reach Monterosse al Mare. By the time you arrive at town number five, it'll be time to swim in the blue water you've been gazing down at for 7.5 miles (and time for a cold drink), so best to take the train back to whichever town you are staying in. The first two parts of the path (Riomaggiore--Manarola--Corniglia) are currently closed due to a landslide a few years back. They are scheduled to be reopened by 2021 or 2022, so in the mean time you'll need to take the train to bypass this section. The open sections are still very much worth doing, and bring you to the best beach in the area.
