Getting up to Corniglia from the station: Lardarina steps and shuttle

The Lardarina, Corniglia's staircase

The Lardarina starts right outside the station and zigzags up the side of the headland, above the tracks, to the road at the edge of the village. It is built of brick, with 377 steps in 33 flights. You may read 365 or 382 elsewhere; 377 is the figure given by official sources.

A reasonably fit adult needs 15 to 20 minutes to climb it, with a couple of breaks to catch your breath and look at the sea. Coming down takes only a few minutes. The flights are wide and even, but there is no shade: between 11am and 4pm in summer the sun beats down on the bricks.

Tips for the climb

• Water: fill your bottle before you start; there are no fountains or cafés on the way.
• Timing: climb early in the morning or late in the afternoon. In the midday heat of July and August, take the shuttle.
• Shoes: trainers are fine; avoid flip-flops, as the steps are worn and can be slippery after rain.
• Small children: a pushchair has to be carried up all 377 steps. A baby carrier or the shuttle is a better idea.
• Photos: the best views open up halfway, looking along the coast towards Manarola.

The shuttle bus from the station

The Corniglia–Stazione bus, run by ATC, the La Spezia province transport company, stops in front of the station. It follows the paved road and drops you in the village in about five minutes.

Three things to know:

• Tickets are not sold on board. Buy one beforehand at the station welcome point, or from ticket outlets in the village for the way back.
• The Cinque Terre Card counts as a ticket. Both the Trekking Card and the Train Card include the shuttle.
• The buses are small. When a full train pulls in, the queue grows and you may have to wait for the next run. Service ends early in the evening, so check the current timetable on the ATC La Spezia website.

Runs are meant to meet the trains, but there’s no guarantee. If you have a train to catch on the way back, leave a few minutes’ margin or walk down.

The paved road

From the station the road climbs in a few bends to the village: just over a kilometre, no steps. It’s longer than the staircase but less steep, a reasonable option with a small wheeled case or if your knees prefer a steady gradient. Watch out for cars and buses: in places the road is narrow with no pavement.

Arriving with luggage

If you’re staying in Corniglia with heavy bags, skip the Lardarina: 377 steps with a suitcase is genuinely hard work. Take the shuttle, bearing in mind that with a large case there may not be room on the first bus. Before you travel, ask your host for the easiest way to reach the door and the nearest stop. Remember that the lanes in the village are stepped too.

Going back down

To return to the station the Lardarina is usually the quickest choice: five or six minutes downhill and you’re on the platform. If your train is due and the shuttle is full, walk. For the next village, Vernazza is three minutes away by train and Manarola two.

Walking in from another village

Many hikers used to arrive along the Blue Trail from Vernazza or Manarola. Today the direct path from Manarola, which ended at the foot of the Lardarina, is closed because of landslides. The Vernazza path, which enters the village from above, has been closed since 10 September 2026 pending geological checks. The open alternative runs through the vineyards of Volastra. Always check the notices of the Cinque Terre National Park.

For everything else (sights, swimming, where to stay) read our Corniglia guide.