The Verde Azzurro path, or "Blue trail" is a hiking route that runs entirely within the Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, primarily connecting the five main villages.
The path starts from Riomaggiore to reach Monterosso al Mare through Manarola, Corniglia, and Vernazza and is about 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) long.
The overall difference in height of the path is about 600 metres (2,000 ft), largely concentrated in the two longest stretches between Corniglia and Monterosso al Mare.
Along the route, there are checkpoints for the Cinque Terre Trekking Card, a hiking permit instituted in 2001 by the park authority.
The card is aimed at allowing the use of the services provided by the Cinque Terre National Park Authority and constitutes a sort of self-financing.