Montorosso-Vernazza 4.9 km

This walk takes you from the train station in Monterossa al Mare to the train station in Vernazza, on the famous coastal path in the Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre. The views are magnificent, and especially Vernazza is a very beautiful and picturesque town. It can however be quite busy on the coastal path, and entrance of the path requires a fee (7,50 € for one day for all paths for one adult in 2017; see also http://www.parconazionale5terre.it for general information including actual prices, and actual information on the paths; the path you have to look for is 592-4 (SVA2), also in English). If you want to avoid crowds, it is best to be very early. The coastal path includes an ascent to about 180 m, includes steps, and is steep in places.
You exit the train station in Monterosso and then follow the road along the beach east. You can take a tunnel to avoid a small rise to a rocky promontory below Chiesa di San Francesco, but I followed the walkway along the coast. You descend into the actual village of Monterosso, and shortly after access the coastal path. About 400 m further is the toll booth where you can buy the ‘trekking card’. From here you follow the path all the way to Vernazza. It first climbs to about 180 m, stays on this altitude for 2.2 km and then descends into Vernazza. On the way you find lemon groves, vineyards with lift contraptions to transport the grapes, and great views of the coast and the villages of Monterosso and Vernazza. You enter Vernazza through a small alley, and shortly after end up at the central square on the beach and the port with the Chiesa Di S.Margherita. From here you walk up the Via Roma to the train station (or alternatively explore the town further; the Castello di Vernazza provides nice views of the village). Trains go about twice an hour, see http://www.trenitalia.com. Both in Monterosso and Vernazza, there are abundant places to eat and drink. On the trail you might meet a street vendor selling juice, but don't count on it.