Vernazza Off The Beaten Path

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Here is an experience I will never forget: We hiked from Vernazza all the way east to Riomaggiore. From there we took a train all the way west to Monterosso Al Mare. From Monterosso we hiked east back to Vernazza, which though it is only the next village over, was a fairly rigourous 2 hour hike. But here's the kicker...we timed it perfectly with the sunset. If you play your cards right you will have the most astonishing tapestry of coastline and colors ever conceived by man. Every second was like a whole new experience of colors and scenery. Just look at the handful of pictures from this one two hour hike.

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Most people stick to the coastal trails. However, since the Cinque Terre card lets you use the green buses, another option is to take the green bus from Vernazza up to San Bernadino(head uphill past the train station a hundred meters or so til you see the parking lot and the post office...this is where the bus stop is). The trip takes about 20 minutes but it's a spectacular drive. One you get to San Bernadino, there are fabulous views of Corniglia and Manarola. The people are also really nice (as they don't get all that many tourists). There is a little cafe where you can get a beer, soda, snack food before heading out on the trail to Vernazza (approx. 1 hour). The beauty of this trail is that it's all downhill so it's not that difficult. Plus, you have really nice views of Vernazza most of the way down. We were there in high season and didn't see one person on this trail.

As you are making your way between the towns, the hike from the third to the second (if you are traveling North to South) can be a bit tedious and tiring, especially when it is warm outside. We found a wonderful place to stop, it is a little house/cafe hung gracefully on the ledge with an amazing view of the ocean and the next time (so you can use the excuse of a great photo opportunity for the stop as well). When we entered the little shop, we were greeted with a friendly smile and a freshly (we literally watched him do it) squeezed cup of blood orange juice. It was amazingly refreshing and just what we needed.

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We didn't want to hike the whole of the CT and decided to hike from our home base (Vernazza) to Corniglia and it was spectacular... beautiful views of the ocean... the pathway on which you hike are ancient and very worn but beautiful (and I felt very safe)... I took numerous photos of the pathway and the views. I loved the views coming into Corniglia a wonderful small city on a hill. If you don't have time to hike all of the CT this would be a good hike for you... If I remember correctly it took us about 2.5 hours at a very leisurely pace. You'll see a few vineyards and walk thru a few olive groves.... It does my heart good just to think about it. We are not in that great of shape and it was no problem... there are some up hills but it was still so lovely. We were there in late march of 03.

Enjoy!!

Together with vernazza, Monterosso is my favourite! And it is the only one among Cinque Terre villages which has a beach, and a VERY lovely one, my favourite! Pebbles, crystal clear water, lovely surroundings... On the beach there is a huge rock and in it the Gigante is sculpted, carrying the wight of the world on his back.
The medieval tower "Aurora", located on the hills of the Cappuccini, separates the ancient part of the village from the more modern part. It's also more "modern" than other village

Corniglia is in the heart of Cinque Terre, it's the central village. Corniglia is located on the ridge of a rocky promontory at the foot of a terraced vineyard. It is more concentrated on agriculture than on fishing.

If you follow La Via dell'Amore at its other end (or, the beginning, if you start from there :)) you'll find another beautiful Cinque Terre village - Manarola.
There are no precise details about when it was founded, but some of the architecture dates back to 13th century, although the area has been inhabited since much longer ago.

You can hike from one village of Cinque terre to another, and further, the view along the coast is magnificant!
There is an especially beautiful footpath called La Via dell'Amore - The Trail fo Love, which starts in Riomaggiore. Well, you can get ideas. :))