In Cinque Terre: from Corniglia to Vernazza

This trail offers spectacular views of Corniglia and Vernazza, as well as San Bernardino at the top of the hill.
If you decide to take this trail, you are guaranteed picturesque views. You will pass through olive groves, vineyards and Mediterranean scrub. There is a panoramic viewpoint over the famous village and its medieval tower from the trail near Vernazza.
Moderator's note : paid hike, see reviews.

Details

2046112
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.97 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 344 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 345 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 209 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 6 m
  • ⚐ Country: Italy
  • ⚐ District: Vernazza 
  • ⚑
    Start: N 44.118797° / E 9.715649°
  • ⚑
    End: N 44.134969° / E 9.684664°
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Description of the walk

(S) The trail starts at Corniglia station. Follow the narrow paved road that runs alongside the railway line to the foot of the Lardarina staircase, 365 easy steps, to the paved alleyway Via alla Stazione.

(1) Cross the street and take the path opposite, passing in front of the church of San Pietro, then visit the village on the other side of the road on the left. Continue to the panoramic terrace of Santa Maria.

(2) Return by the same route to reach the previous crossroads.

(1) Take Via alla Stazione again to reach the path at the park checkpoint.
Cross the bridge over the Rio dell Groppa and climb up through a magnificent olive grove. The road crosses the Guvano basin and then joins the road leading to the village of Prevo.

(3) Continue along the path through the thicket and dense olive groves, then begin the descent down the steps on the steep slope among agaves and prickly pears.

(4) Continue on to reach the entrance to Vernazza. Stroll through the village before reaching the station (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 23 m - Corniglia station
  2. 1 : km 0.58 - alt. 95 m - Via alla Stazione
  3. 2 : km 0.85 - alt. 12 m - Santa Maria panoramic terrace
  4. 3 : km 2.19 - alt. 160 m - Prevo Road
  5. 4 : km 3.88 - alt. 79 m - Wood
  6. E : km 4.97 - alt. 17 m - Vernazza station

Notes

Recommended direction of travel: it doesn't matter, but there are more steps on the Vernazza side.
There is a charge to access the trail (€7.50 in 2019).
Traffic on the trail:
Red from 12:00 to 14:30
Orange from 11:00 to 12:00 / 14:00 to 15:00
Green from 9:00 to 11:00 / 15:00 to 18:00

Worth a visit

Between (1) and (3) Guvano Basin, where there is a small area equipped with tables and benches.
(E) Recommended visit to the village of Vernazza.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 1314931

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 11, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It’s a bit of a rollercoaster ride, but it’s absolutely stunning. We went out of season – be warned, it gets very busy in the summer

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Yves Dautremer
Yves Dautremer

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

less difficult at the start in this direction, superb view of Vernazza

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Boukroukee
Boukroukee

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Thanks for the map!

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Xav26D
Xav26D
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant hike. The first climb with steps can be avoided if you take the bus from the station exit (included in the price with the Cinque Terre Treno card).
The reward when you arrive in Vernazza: sublime.
I recommend climbing up to the Doria Tower (€2), which offers a 360° view of the entire village and its surroundings.

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dezei
dezei

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant hike that we did in the afternoon after leaving Monterossa in the morning and having a picnic in Vernazza. It's manageable without too much effort and saves you a day's worth of train travel.

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SirOlive
SirOlive

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful walk along the seafront. A must-do!

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jp le toulonnais
jp le toulonnais

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike starting from Vernazza offering beautiful views of the Cinque Terre landscape and two villages (Vernazza and Corniglia).
I recommend doing it in this direction as it is easier in my opinion.
There is a steep climb at the start, but you will quickly be rewarded by the charm of this hike.
A short break halfway through to refresh yourself with fresh orange or lemon juice is possible and recommended, as this bar offers a magnificent view of Corniglia.
This hike can be combined with the Monterosso Vernazza hike.

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Nine 68
Nine 68
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did the route in reverse, not too many people. Easy, apart from the rather different step heights, which our calves remember... Small refreshment bar halfway.

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ROBERT Jean-Claude
ROBERT Jean-Claude

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful route but very busy.
I preferred the one that started from Volostra, where we were staying, and went to Corniglia: a very varied route and much less crowded.

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REM DES COLLINES
REM DES COLLINES
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

€7.50 is a bit excessive for having to wait frequently in narrow passages. There are lots of people on these routes between villages. It's very beautiful but really too crowded from 10am onwards. There are alternative routes using freely accessible paths connecting the villages. They are longer and often more difficult, but you hardly meet anyone. And they are magnificent. However, make sure you take water and food with you.
The paths are very well marked!

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xtofrif
xtofrif
• Edited:

Wanting to reach Corniglia from Vernazza, the path was closed at the end of April 2019 => so it was impossible to do this hike in the opposite direction to the one suggested. Only the path from Monterosso to Vernazza is open, at a cost of €7.50.
When was this hike actually done?
Thank you.

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