After some sightseeing in Corniglia, it was clear that I would not be continuing along the coastal #2 trail to Manarola. Prior to leaving for Italy, I connected with an American ex-pat that guides trails in Cinque Terre, Pall Forloney. Sadly, Pall was away on business during my visit, but he gave me some great trail tips. One trail he told me not to miss connects Corniglia to Manarola “by way of Volastra.” He also shared that this trail was best taken from south to north, so I hoped the train to Manarola and headed toward the trail head. The most famous part of the Cinque Terre coastline runs along the infamous Via Dell’Amore trail, connecting Manarola with Riomaggiore. Sadly, that too was closed. At least I got to see the gate.

Hopefully every Cinque Terre traveler knows that you don’t go to this part of Italy if you don’t like to climb! The trek up to Volastra was a million cobblestone steps that paid off richly in views.

Once I arrived back in Corniglia, I hiked the #2 that I had taken earlier that morning from Vernazza. In total it was about a eight hour trip. A two hour hike from Vernazza to Corniglia, the train from Corniglia to Manarola, about three hours to hike from Manarola to Corniglia, by way of Volastra, and then two more hours back to Vernazza. This was my first full day in Cinque Terre. Excellent!