Italy’s Premier Walking Trail Embraces Cinque Terre’s Famous Coastline and Links Charming Villages

The Ligurian coast, one of Italy’s most popular sites for natural beauty, is better known as the Italian Riviera, and attracts tourists in the summer months like moths to a flame. People flock from all over to enjoy the incredible food as well as some of the best beaches Europe has to offer. And there is no better place to enjoy this incredible coastline than Cinque Terre, a string of five explosively colorful villages perched on steep, dramatic cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. One of Italy’s most beloved walking routes is also found in this interconnected area: the Sentiero Azzurro, or “Blue Trail,” linking Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare in a breathtaking sequence of ancient paths, seascapes, and vineyards.

Dating back thousands of years, the Sentiero Azzurro connected these villages long before roads existed. Today, the trail, with its cliff-hugging paths and Mediterranean vistas, continues to follow the contours of the land, bridging past and present. It is divided into four main segments, each section connecting one village to the next, and offering different challenges. This route remains a magnet for hikers from all over the world, and is one of the best way to get to know Liguria’s beautiful ancient towns.

This incredible route begins with Via dell’Amore — the “lover’s path.” This is one of the most accessible and well-known parts of the Sentiero Azzuro, with over half a mile of incredible cliffside hiking. Known for its romantic ambience, with tunnels and beaches adorned with padlocks from lovers who have walked the route previously, this portion was originally constructed in the 1920s to connect workers in the two villages. This scenic start to the trail offers unparalleled sea views and is a gentle beginning to the route.

The trail continues from Manarola to Corniglia, which is around a 2-hour hike with a winding climb past terraced vineyards and olive groves. It is a more demanding path, taking hikers much higher above sea level. With a staircase consisting of around 1,200 steps, this segment of the Sentiero Azzurro showcases Cinque Terre’s agricultural heritage, where locals have cultivated the slopes for centuries. Here you can see the coastline stretch endlessly toward the horizon, as well as observe the traditional dry-stone walling of the local architecture.