By Vicky · Published Nov. 11th, 2022 · Updated Aug. 13th, 2023
When you buy through links highlighted with an asterisk (*) on this site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.
The hike from Monterosso to Vernazza is an easy section of the coastal trail along the Cinque Terre and has fabulous views of both towns.
Monterosso to Vernazza Hike Route Map
Get the route by downloading the .gpx or .kml file below. For navigation with Maps.me on your mobile phone, simply download the .kml file and open to add it to the Maps.me bookmarks.
Location
This hike starts at Monterosso train station, the most northerly of the five Cinque Terre villages. You can easily reach Monterosso by train from Genoa (1hr10-1hr40), Lucca (1hr20) or the villages in the Cinque Terre. The train station is right by the beach in the newer part of Monterosso.
Alternatively, you can catch the ferry to Monterosso from the other Cinque Terre Villages (€7-€25) or from Genoa (€25). These boat rides only take place in summer (April to October inclusive) and don’t run in bad weather.
If you arrive by car, there’s a large car park by the beach, costing €2.50 per hour or €25 for the day. Alternatively, there’s a smaller parking lot slightly inland costing €18 per day (no hourly rates).
A great way to arrive at Monterosso is by walking from Levanto (7 km). You can then continue walking further on the same day, or stay overnight in Monterosso.
Onward from Vernazza
This hike ends at Vernazza train station. You can either take the train or ferry back to Monterosso or continue walking to Corniglia, the middle town of the Cinque Terre. We spent a long day hiking from Monterosso to Vernazza (this hike), Vernazza to Corniglia, and still further to Riomaggiore. It was a tiring but great day and we slept well that night in Riomaggiore.
Tips
- Start early in the day to avoid the heat and the crowds.
- Make sure to have enough water with you, as well as a sun hat.
- The only food is at the beginning or end of the hike, in either Monterosso or Vernazza.
- You need to pay the hiking fee (€7.50 per adult) to hike this trail from Monterosso to Vernazza. It’s easiest to pay at the booth directly on the trail. If you hike both on the same day, your ticket covers you for this hike and the next section of the coastline from Vernazza to Corniglia. No payment is needed from Nov-Mar.
- To get to Monterosso, there’s a great hike from Levanto.
- Continue from Vernazza by hiking on to Corniglia.
- Offline maps app Maps.me works well for this walk.
- Find other nearby hikes on our Italy Hiking Page.
Hiking Route from Monterosso to Vernazza
Walking through Monterosso
From Monterosso train station, walk towards the tunnel entrance. Before you get there take the steps up to the left, between a stone wall and a peach-coloured hotel. The steps bend around to the right and the paved path continues until you’re behind the Torre Aurora (a square stone tower). There’s a little viewpoint here, with a stone sculpture of a man and a dog, with great views over the ocean and coastline.
Continue walking around the corner and you can now see over the terraced countryside and down to the old town of Monterosso. Head left up some steps to check out the Chiesa di San Francesco before returning to the path. Head left, then take the second right to walk down into Monterosso old town.
Wander the cute cobbled streets, making sure to visit the grand black and white striped church in the middle of town. Once you’ve finished exploring Monterosso, head towards the beach, passing underneath the railway. Turn left on the pedestrian walkway to start the hike from Monterosso to Vernazza.
Hiking from Monterosso to Vernazza
The small paved path continues next to the steep cliffs, and there are great views back to Monterossa. Just before the gates into a hotel, the hiking trail from Monterossa to Vernazza heads down some steps to the right. The path continues around the cliff before heading steeply upwards.
After the climb, the path levels out and continues with glorious views over the coastline. Here you’ll pass the ticket booth to the trail – day hiking tickets are €7.50 per adult. It’s a really cute path, though fairly narrow at points. It’s best to start walking as early as possible to avoid the crowds.
Walking into Vernazza
Once the path starts descending, you walk through some beautiful vineyards and get the best views of cute Vernazza down below. You pass another hiking ticket hut by the trail and soon enter the edge of Vernazza. Head down the narrow street, and take the steps steeply down to your right to reach the main square by the harbour.
To discover more about Vernazza, read our post about hiking onwards from Vernazza to Corniglia. Meanwhile, there are several nice cafes on the square for a refreshing drink or snack.
Guidebooks to explore more of Liguria & Cinque Terre
If you want to get a guidebook to the region, the Bradt Liguria Guide* and Lonely Planet Pocket Guide* both include the Cinque Terre and hiking routes. The Cicerone Walking in Cinque Terre Guide* covers this hike and many others in the Cinque Terre region.
Check out the walk from Levanto to Monterosso, Vernazza to Corniglia, or our other walks nearby in Italy.
Related Posts
