Vernazza – Corniglia via San Bernardino and return via the coastal path

(S/E) From Vernazza station, turn left to explore the village and its harbour via the narrow streets, then head to the start of the coastal path (SVA).

(1) Follow the path to the right towards Corniglia and reach the junction with marked trail 507.

(2) Turn left onto the path marked 507 (see § Practical Information), which climbs steeply and rapidly.
Pass close to La Locanda de Valeria, which you leave on your left, then cross a road. Take the path climbing up to the right towards the Sanctuary of San Bernardino. Reach the sanctuary.

(3) At the car park at the entrance to the sanctuary, take the signposted path on the right (507), then at the next junction, turn right again. When the signposted path joins a road, follow the stretch of road straight ahead, then take the path climbing up to the right, which leads to another road near Case Fornachi.

(4) Continue straight on along the marked path that climbs (507 m) towards Cigoletta. At the junction about 300 m further on, take the path that goes straight on and continue to another junction of marked paths.

(5) Head straight on along the AV5T path to the Sella della Cigoletta (611 m), which is the highest point of the hike.

(6) At the pass, turn right and follow the AV5T path to the next junction of marked paths.

(7) Leave the AV5T path and take the marked path 587, which descends slightly to the right. Further on, the path joins a road; follow this to the left for about 900 m.

(8) Leave this road by taking path 587, which descends into the forest on the right.

(9) At the junction of marked paths, continue to the right where the descent becomes much steeper down to the village of Corniglia.

(10) Before reaching the starting point of the coastal path towards Vernazza, cross the railway line and follow Via Fieschi down into the village to explore it.

After descending into the village, turn back towards the railway line and head for the start of the coastal path, using the footpaths between the old houses rather than the access road to the village.

(11) Pass through the toll booth at the entrance to the coastal path (SVA) towards Vernazza and continue.

(2) Continue straight on towards Vernazza.

(1) Turn right, cross the railway tracks and head towards the station (S/E).

The circular route starting from Vernazza follows the coastal path (SVA) for a few hundred metres on the way out. As there is a charge for using this path from Vernazza and the toll and checkpoint is located before the junction with path no. 507 leading up to San Bernardino, make sure you tell the person at the ticket office that you are heading towards San Bernardino so that you do not have to pay for the outward section of the SVA and that they let you through free of charge (experience with a group of 12 people in June 2021).

Water points are only available in the villages and at San Bernardino.

The coastal path (SVA) between Vernazza and Corniglia, or in the opposite direction, is subject to a charge (price per section: €7.50 per adult, €6.00 for those over 70 and €4.50 for a child). There are various types of ‘pass’ covering the train and coastal paths for a single day or multiple days – information is available from Tourist Offices or at stations.

For further information, please visit the following link:
- for the condition of the marked trails in the nature reserve,
- for train timetables
- for timetables of boats serving the villages of the Cinque Terre

(10) In Corniglia, there is access to the sea via the Lardarina, a long descent and ascent of nearly 370 steps.