I have hiked this route many times. It is the blue path #2 from Monterossa heading southeast to Vernazza. It is approximately a 12 km section. It is a hilly and rocky section in part and also narrow in parts.
The trail between Riomaggiore and Manarola (Via dell'Amore) and Manarola to Corniglia are closed due to a landslide and are planned to reopen in July 2024. However there are upper trails as well which one can navigate or opt to take a ferry between the towns, or take a train. I have hiked between Vernazza and Monterrosa the second week of May, after the holidays, and it was very busy, but not out of control.
Venice is imposing fees on weekends for groups to control the traffic. So this is not a shock. just be warned if you are traveling on those dates.
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Tourists charged €15
Hikers who want to tackle the Cinque Terre’s celebrated “sentiero azzurro” or blue footpath will have to start in the village of Monterosso and head east towards the hamlet of Vernazza.
Doing the walk the other way round will not be permitted. There will be checkpoints manned by police and national park officials.
“Attention, mandatory one way on the path from Monterosso to Vernazza,” reads a notice on the Cinque Terre National Park’s website.
Checkpoints will be manned by police and national park officials CREDIT: Andia/Universal Images Group Editorial
The restrictions apply on April 25, 26, 27 and 28 as well as May 1.
Tourists will also have to pay €15 to embark on the hike.
“We are trying to manage the influx of people on the paths so as to protect the environment of the area and also the safety of visitors,” said Donatella Bianchi, the head of the national park authority.