Cinque Torre

dawn,

I'm assuming you mean the Cinque Terre? Could you provide a few details on the tour you'll be taking? If you'll be hiking the trails on your own, I assume you're aware that two of the popular Sentiero Azzurro trail segments will likely remain closed this year (Corniglia - Manarola - Riomaggiore). The Monterosso - Vernazza - Corniglia segments should be open but the trails are somewhat dependent on weather at the time. When are you planning to be there?

There are other trails that bypass the closed sections but those travel farther up the hills and are a more robust hike. You can also use the local trains to bypass the closed sections. If you're hiking the trails, you'll be going to each town by foot.

Sneakers should be fine but don't wear "thongs" (check the other thread on this forum about the new fines that will be applied to those wearing flip-flops).

Hi Ken
Thank you for your reply. We are using Viator for this tour. It is most likely the regular scenic paths for the “hike”.

Dawn, it's sort of unfortunate that you bought a tour for this as the Cinque Terre is really quite easily done on one's own. Given the dense seasonal crowds there, moving about independently would also be preferable to having to do it in an organized group. Doing it on your own would also have allowed you to choose a day with the most optimal weather.

The CT has an extensive trail system but the "regular" trail you reference is probably the 4-segment Sentiero Azzurro. As two of those 4 segments have been closed for some time and are likely to remain so this season, my guess is that you'll be doing one of both of the Monterosso>Vernazza> Corniglia segments. I don't know how much reading up you've done on this route but if you are not much of a hiker, do be aware than they involve some very steep ascents/descents and lots and lots of steps. They will be very slippery - and the trails may even be closed - if it's been wet. I would expect them to be closed if it's raining on the day that you go. Whatever the case, make sure your footwear is sturdy and have a good tread.

I thought it was worth mention as some tourists have been surprised that this route isn't exactly a walk in the park. We observed some folks having a pretty difficult time when we did it.

Sorry, one more detail....

Should the trail part of the tour be optional - meaning it's an activity you can choose or not to do on your own in allotted free time - also be aware that you will need to purchase 1-day park passes to trek any part of the Sentiero Azzurro. They don't need to be purchased in advance; they're sold at the visitor centers/train stations. A day pass will cost you € 7,50 per adult.

http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/page.php?id=157

I'm sure if the hike is a scheduled part of your tour that passes will be included but they probably won't be if it's an independent activity. For instance, I don't see mention of pass inclusion in this tour:

https://www.viator.com/tours/Florence/Cinque-Terre-Semi-Independent-Tour-by-Bus-from-Florence/d519-2428P67

Hi Kathy
Thank you for this information. The tour is refundable up to 24 hours in advance.
When I booked it I was figuring it would be the best way to see the coastline and the landscape.
It may be difficult for me to do steep inclines because I have a chronic back condition but I am fit. I thought it would be fun for my young adult children as well. Do you have another suggestion to see the landscape and coastline without the steep hikes ? Thanks!

Dawn, this is easily something you can do on your own.

It's very easy to train from Florence to La Spezia,
Then change to the train into the CT.

https://www.cinqueterre.eu.com/en/cinque-terre-card.

If you're in good shape you might do just fine with a trek from Monterosso to Vernazza or Vernazza to Corniglia. It's just difficult to tell without knowing just how much your back might bother you.

So if you don't don't want to take a trail on, you can train to all of the 5 villages: they are only minutes apart. You can take a train to La Spezia from Florence, a local train to Riomaggiore, a ferry to Monterosso, and then work your way back through the villages to La Spezia via trains. If you were to do this, you might buy a 1-day Cinque Terre Treno Pass for € 16.00 pp.

https://www.apathtolunch.com/2014/06/complete-cinque-terre-portovenere-la.html
http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/page.php?id=158

You MUST validate that pass before boarding your first train, and it doesn't cover the ferries. You have to take a little bus from the train station in Corniglia up the town: the pass covers that. You could also skip that one if time is short, or ferry to Vernazza and not all the way to Monterosso...lots of different you could go about it.

EDITING TO ADD: depending on when they'll start running for the 2019 season, ferries may not be an option and you'd need to do all your travel between villages via the trains. My guess is that this will probably be the case.

Getting to the region: There is a train from Firenze (Florence) Campo di Marte station at 7:36 AM to La Spezia Centrale that will get you there by 9:11 with no changes: absolutely the fastest way to get to the region. Going back, there's a train from La Spezia Centrale at 20:03 (8:03 PM) to Firenze Campo di Marte by 21:40 (9:40 PM) with no changes: the fastest way back to Florence.

If you want to do the trails AND make good use of the trains within the region (not between La Spezia and Florence), the Treno pass covers trekking in the park as well.

SEE EDIT REGARDING FERRIES ABOVE.

Unfortunately, quite a few trails are closed :=( Here is the latest information

2a, Riomaggiore - Manarola: The main part of the trail is closed (expected to open in April 2021). Reason: Only small part is open from Manarola to small bar in the middle of the trail. The second part will not be open up to 2021.
2b, Manarola - Corniglia: The trail is closed for a long period (approximately till: 2021). Reason: see photo (2016).
531, Riomaggiore - Manarola (Beccara): The trail is temporarily inaccessible (expected to open in November 2018).
11a, Trail 1 - Sea: The main part of the trail is closed.
4c, Trail 1 - Cape of Merlino: The descent to the coast is temporarily inaccessible.
X2, Trail 2 - Beach Guvano: The trail is inaccessible at some places. Reason: It is dangerous, you can do it but pay close attention.
See more at https://www.incinqueterre.com/en/trails-advice

Hope this helps

Yes, as I said above, 2 segments of the Sentiero Azzurro/SVA2/Blue Path route will be closed (obviously they've missed the Nov. 2018 date for the Riomaggiore> Manarola part). But I'm holding out some hope for the Monterosso>Vernazza and Vernazza> Corniglia segments. They're currently closed as well but given the intense popularity of the "Blue Path" I'm sure work is moving along to get those legs open for the season ASAP.

It's not a given, for certain, and a spate of foul spring weather could keep them shut longer.

http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/Esentieri-outdoor.php

Sneakers are fine... make sure they have good tread on them. Be aware a few of the trails are closed. It's worth hitting the ones you can. Amazing views, beautiful country, and warm inviting people.

Many people says sneakers are okay but I think it depends on your hiking experience. I was happy I had the extra support and thicker soles that my hiking shoes (Merrells, low top) offered. I also do not have a lot of outdoor hiking experience. I was with people who wore sneakers and they were fine.

My family and friends traveled to the CT in May. We had some folks with back and knee issues and could not do most of the hikes. We chose to take the trains to each of the towns and in Manarola, we went on a vineyard hike. In the areas that were too steep, some of us went for a longer hike and the others went to a lovely wine bar and had drinks on a terrace and waited. Your hotel should be able to help you with which trails are open and what would be recommended for your physical condition.

Sneakers are okay for the hike, don’t wear thongs. My niece wore them and she was miserable.