Sentiero Azzurro, sentier dans le parc national des Cinque Terre, en Italie
The Sentiero Azzurro is a walking trail that winds about 12 kilometers along the Cinque Terre coast and connects five villages. It comprises old mule tracks, stone steps, and pathways, some carved into rock, passing along the waterfront, through village centers, and over hilltops offering sea views.
The trail originated in medieval times and served as the only connection between villages for farmers and fishermen. A distinctive section called the Via dell'Amore between Manarola and Riomaggiore was built around 1900 to keep explosives away from homes during railway tunnel construction.
The Sentiero Azzurro has connected the five villages for centuries and served as the main route for locals to travel for work and trade. Along the way, visitors can see terraced fields with grapevines, dry stone walls, and colorful houses that show how people adapted to and shaped the steep coastal landscape.
The trail is walkable year-round but is best explored in stages over several days, as the complete route takes about five hours. Wear sturdy footwear, bring water, and be careful on narrow sections and slippery spots, especially when wet.
A section of the trail called the Via dell'Amore is carved into cliffs and was originally built to keep explosives away from homes during railway work. This scenic route with direct sea views has become a favorite with visitors, though it occasionally closes due to ground stability.
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