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Cinque Terre Advice

We will be in Florence early June and would like to visit/hike a bit of the Cinque Terre. I am reading that if you want to try to avoid crowds as much as possible, to hike early (at 8am or later at 4pm). Sunset is 8:45ish. I am thinking we would get a train about 1-2 from Florence and relax for the 2 hour journey to Corniglia. We would grab the shuttle to the trail head and get our passes to hike to Vernazza. I am reading it would be about 1 1/2 hour to hike the 2 miles. From there, I would like to take the ATC shuttle bus while the rest of the fam continues hiking to Monterosso (I am not a fan of heights). I am reading it takes about 2 hours for the 2 miles.

Any advice on this time line? I am thinking it is better than leaving extremely early with teenagers to get there by 8am but they would certainly get up early to avoid crowds as much as possible. Open to other trail suggestions as well. One nice and easy for me without steep drops and the other can be as crazy as they come while I sip wine waiting!

Posted by
1804 posts

I would advise not planning such a trip with speculated precision. Trains and transfers are one variable. ATC shuttles, their timetables, and their capacity are added variables. Hiking times, trail conditions, weather, and the speed of the parties ahead of you on the trail add more variables. Trail capacities are now regulated on the busy trails and may cause a delay. Your group may not be entirely predictable unless everyone is accustomed to hiking steep trails in the June sun or a rain shower.