Corniglia to Manarola Hike via Volastra

Corniglia to Manarola via Volastra is an absolutely stunning hike you cannot miss in Cinque Terre. This trail is known to be one of the longer hikes and is generally considered moderate to challenging because of the steep inclines and rockier paths. However having recently completed this hike, we found it extremely rewarding for its stunning panoramic coastal views, walking alongside lush vineyards. 

Below is the ultimate guide on completing the Corniglia to Manarola hike based on my own recent experience, including which way to do the hike, what to expect on the hike, things to do in Manarola and Cornigle and much more! 

If you’re planning a trip to Cinque Terre and deciding how long to spend here, check out my guide on How long to spend in Cinque Terre.

Can I walk from Corniglia to Manarola?

Yes, the hike between Cornelia to Manorola along the famous blue trail is one of the more moderate to challenging and longer hikes however I would say it is also one of the most rewarding for its coastal views.

Is the Corniglia to Manarola Hike closed?

A lot of people get confused when they read this online or hear this path is closed. Here is the deal – there are two paths from Corniglia to Manarola.

1. Corniglia to Manarola – Short Route

This route remains closed due to a landslide in 2019, per the official Cinque Terre website.
Length: 2.2km / 1.4miles
Time: 1h 20 mins

2. Corniglia to Manarola via Volastra (High Route) 

This path is open! The route is part of the official Blue Trail which connects the five villages of Cinque Terre.

It is not impacted by the landslide which closed the short route. This is the that path I completed, and the one which I highly recommend doing! It is longer and considered more difficult of the two trails, but 100% worthwhile!
Length: 5 km / 3.1miles
Time: 2h 30 mins

Corniglia to Manarola Hike Map

Here is the hiking route for the Corniglia to Manarola via Volastra (High Route) on the Blue Trail in Cinque Terre.

As with most hikes I highly recommend using All Trails for the hike map. There is reception pretty much throughout the hike, so its not really necessarily to have it downloaded offline in advance. 

Is it better to Hike from Corniglia to Manarola or Manarola to Corniglia?

After doing some research on this I decided to hike from Corniglia to Manarola. I recommend doing it in this order as this way you get to finish the more challenging rapid incline of the hike closer to the Cornelia end earlier on. You are then left with a more gradual descent into manorola which also faces on to the stunning village providing some of the most iconic panoramic views of the coast and Manarola town as you approach the Manarola end of the trail.

How hard is the hike from Corniglia to Manarola?

I would describe the hike from Coringlia to Manarola as moderately challenging. The hike does start off with some steep ascents and steps up. Of all the hikes between the Cinque Terre towns I found this path also the rockiest, although this is mostly at the beginning and it smooths out pretty quickly. The decent after reaching Volastra is much more gradual but careful stepping is required. 

Overall the terrain has few rocky parts but is overall accessible and can be done by most people with a reasonable level of fitness. I would highly recommend good footwear for this hike. You don’t technically need hiking shows, most supportive trainer should be sufficient for most people. 

As you get closer to the Manarola end of the hike, you will be walking alongside open panoramic views of the sea, but this also means you are largely protected from the sun. As such sunscreen and a hat are a must on the trail, same as all other trails in Cinque Terre.

The hike is a 3-kilometer (3.2-mile) trail that typically takes 2.5 – 3 hours, depending on your pace and the number of stops you make along the way for photos! There are plenty of places for pictures, especially in the second half of the hike as you approach Manarola. This is also why I recommend doing it in this order, because the views as you approach Manarola beat those as you approach Corniglia.

Hence this direction is perfect if you want to get the incline over and done with first and have the best views in the second half of the hike. 

However, if you’d rather base yourself in a livelier village that connects easily by train to Corniglia, here are the best hotels and apartments in Vernazza for hikers.

Corniglia to Manarola Hike start point

Once you’re in Corniglia Old town, head towards the main square, Piazza Taragio. From here, look for signs directing you towards the trails number 587 which lead to Volastra. 

This path will start off with a steep ascent. This is the part that is the most physically demanding but the views once you’re further up are completely worth it!  

Is Manarola worth visiting?

Manarola, Italy, in the Cinque Terre, is definitely worth a visit. It’s got a beautiful small harbor with colorful houses that cascade down the steep hillsides towards the harbour.

The old town’s charming narrow streets and bustling restaurants and wine bars are a great way to spend a few hours. It reminded me a little of the Puglia with its small towns with narrow stone alleys, sun-bleached piazzas, and crumbling facades.

Of all the places in Cinque Terre, I spent the most amount of time in Manarola, visiting multiple times during my visit to Cinque Terre. There was always a reason to keep coming back here. One of the highlights for me was watching the sunset in the Manarola harbor. 

Manarola Scenic Viewpoints for Sunset

The Marina

The marina area, with its small harbor and rocky cliffs, provides a picturesque setting for sunset views. Watching the sunset here is 10/10 – the ambiance, the colors reflecting off the water and the boats in the harbor definitely made for a memorable moment.

We sat on the rocks in the Marina with our friends for one of our first evenings enjoying the sunset in Manarola. This place can get busy around 8-9pm in peak summer, so try and grab a good spot at the Marina early.

Nessun Dorma Restaurant

This popular restaurant is perched on a cliff, offering breathtaking views of Manarola and the sea. Enjoying a meal or a drink here while watching the sunset is a memorable experience.The restaurant can be extremely busy in the summer with bookings fillign up fast and a significant wait time for walk in.

However, you really don’t need a booking at this restaurant to enjoy this view. Pretty much all along the path to this restaurant you will find the same view. There are plenty of benches too along the route, so if you come early you can definitely byo drinks and food and have a little picnic with the same view!

The Church of San Lorenzo

The church and its surrounding square are located higher up in the village, offering panoramic views of Manarola and the coastline.

The elevated vantage point provides a wide-angle view of the sunset over the village and the sea and is a little further away from the busier areas close to the Marina. 

Via dell’Amore (Lover’s Lane)

This scenic path between Manarola and Riomaggiore offers stunning coastal views. The section close to Manarola is particularly good for sunset views.

However, word of caution – this path was closed when I visited Cinque Terre recently as may still be closed now. Its best to check the official Cinque Terre website for details before getting here. 

Corniglia to Manarola (High path)

Hands down the hiking path itself is actually one of the best spots to watch the sunset over Manarola. This is because the descend from the Corniglia to Manarola hike faces the colorful houses of Manarola which light up even more brightly as the sun is low in the sky. This is why the view from this particular side of Manarola is so great for capturing photos during sunset time.

As you are on the hiking route, the higher altitude offers expansive views of the coastline and the sunset.

Cinque Terre Blue Trail

The Monterosso to Vernazza hike is part of the Cinque Terre Blue Trail, also known as the Sentiero Azzurro. The trail connects all 5 of Cinque Terre’s villages –  Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore and runs along the stunning Linguarian coastline. The full length of the Blue trail is about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) in total. 

One thing to note is thatI have visited Cinque Terre twice, and both those times, not all of the Blue trail has been open – either due to weather or route maintenance. This is something to keep in mind and check in advance before you plan intend to hike in Cinque Terre. The latest details on the trail can be found on the official website here. 

The segment of the Cinque Terre Blue Trail from Corniglia to Manarola is a must-do for its stunning coastal views, and paths through lush green vineyards with panoramic views of the ligurian sea! 

Cinque Terre Card

The Cinque Terre Trekking Card provides access to all hiking trails in the Cinque Terre National Park, free use of the National Park’s shuttle buses, free Wi-Fi at park hotspots, and free entry to visitor centers and guided tours organized by the park. Prices are €7.50 for adults, €4.50 for children (4-12 years), and €19.60 for families (2 adults + 2 children) for a one-day card, with a two-day option available at higher rates. The card can be purchased online here. Alternatively, you can also buy this at some visitor centers in Cinque Terre. Make sure you carry it with you on the trails as it can be checked by the rangers on the trail.

Corniglia to Manarola Train

Traveling by train from Corniglia to Manarola is quick and convenient, with a journey time of around 5 minutes. Trains service runs frequently, approximately every 20 to 30 minutes, and tickets can be purchased at the station or online, costing around 4 euros for a one-way trip. The Cinque Terre Card, which includes unlimited train travel between the villages, is a good value for multiple trips. Both train stations are centrally located, making it easy to access the main attractions in each village. Many travellers stay in Vernazza hotels with sea views and use the train for day-hikes like Corniglia–Manarola, returning in the evening for a swim or dinner on the harbour.”

Are you heading to Cinque Terre? Check out our other posts you may find useful:
Hiking the Monterosso to Vernazza Trail in Cinque Terre
How many days to spend in Cinque Terre?
Guide to Levanto Beach in Cinque Terre
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