Has anyone been on the walking tour that the CT National Park service offers? I'm wondering what the difficulty level is and how long is the walk. I've written them but haven't gotten any response yet. Are reservations needed?
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15820 posts
Kathy, we hiked on our own but the tours I'm seeing listed are only on the Italian version of the site, unless it's a glitch with my browser.
http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/dettaglio.php?id=40902
http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/man.php
I'm not sure they are available in English.
To add: trails in the CT are not what I would describe as a "walk", and how easy or not you will find them depends on how much hiking you're used to doing and how well you handle steep climbs and descents. Most people who are reasonably fit - and don't have bad knees or pulmonary issues - can manage some of them but let's just say that not many are flat?
Are you looking at tours of the trails or of the towns?
Posted by
North Carolina
24 posts
I just finished a Rick Steves "Heart of Italy" tour, and we spent two nights near the Cinque Terre. On our free day there, I hiked from Monterosso (town that is nearest Levanto, where we stayed, which is NOT in the Cinque Terre) to the next town, Vernazza, and I would caution anybody who is not in pretty decent shape, or better, about that hike.
First of all, the trek from Monterosso (which is at sea level) to the high point of the hike (not sure how many feet above sea level, but it's a good bit) is somewhat difficult, if not more difficult than that. You must climb uphill quite a bit, with steep steps, some not in good condition. Again, if you are not in at least decent shape, this would be a very difficult hike and you might need to turn back.
Second, the hike downhill into Vernazza was, for me, even worse than the uphills. My knees were barking pretty loudly because of the steep downhill portions with steep steps.
Posted by
Chicago
7865 posts
I did that same hike last July Monterosso to Vernazza. Yes it is something physical in parts but a great hike.
its a do it yourself best done in the evening when there are no day trip crowds
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32212 posts
"its a do it yourself best done in the evening when there are no day trip crowds"
I suppose that's a matter of opinion. IMO, especially for solo travellers it would be better to hike that trail in the day time when there are other people around. Some parts of the trail are quite narrow and if one were to slip or suffer an injury, it could be a long wait until help arrives. I don't find the crowds to be that big of a problem on the trails.