Fear of heights & the Cinque Terre Trails

Michele, the trails ARE quite narrow in points (especially on the Monterosso-Vernazza section) and there are NO hand rails. In most places there's a gradual (but steep) slope down towards the water, with some vegetation. However, other parts of the trail go through olive groves and are quite wide. The next section (Vernazza-Corniglia) is a bit easier.

Be sure to take some extra water along to leave for the Cats (perhaps some food also?).

The beautiful via del 'Amore (Riomaggiore-Manarola) is paved and has hand rails for the most part. Be sure to stop at the small Bar and have a "beverage" while enjoying the ocean view.

August wouldn't be my preferred time to travel there, as I imagine it will be crowded. Note that you need to purchase a permit to hike the trails (they DO check!). The view is incredible - enjoy!

Happy travels!

To further clarify, there are 4 lower coastal trails between the 5 towns. Going north from Riomaggiore to Manarola, the "hike" or walk will take about 25 minutes. The trail is FLAT with very few stairs. The second trail from Manarola to Corniglia is also mostly flat to the train station. This hike will take you about 40 minutes. I suggest that you stop at the train station and mini-bus up unless you want to walk up the 25 sets of swtich-back stairs (about 400) to the town.

The third trail begins in Corniglia and goes to Vernazza. This trail is much steeper and will rise 1,200 -1,400. This means 1,200 to 1,400 stairs up and the same down. This hike is more strenuous and there are steep drop-offs. As seniors, it took us 3 hours (stopped a lot). We did not attempt the 4th trail between Vernazza and Monterosso as it was reported to be more steep and dangerous.

The first two trails are just fine and very scenic.

I also have a fear of heights but had no problem with hiking in the CT. The hike between Vernazza and Corniglia was moderate and had beautiful views. There is some guard rail/fence along the way. We were there in mid May and there were few hikers on the steeper trails. The lower paths were flat at times and we saw the most hikers/walkers there. I think you will be fine--just take your time, wear good shoes, and enjoy the scenery. It is possible to walk down to a beach area but the beach is all pebbles and the Ligurian Sea was ice cold at that time.

Michelle, I am well known as the eternal optimist, BUT I have reservations about this idea. There are few areas with anything that even resembles a fence, there are very narrow stretches, there are lots of people during the time frame that you mentioned, there are very steep drop offs. It is a physically challenging, even for a fit person.

Keep in mind that there are sections further South that offer wider trails and are not as severe.

Your call, but DO go to this area. There are trains and a local bus to help you avoid the steeper areas.

We hiked this trail several years ago, as I look at my photos...and I remember, there are really just low fences. Europe doesn't over protect it's citizens and visitors like we do in the US.

I'd recommend you hike starting from the south to the north. As the other poster stated, the trail is more of a sidewalk, thus wider here. The hardest of the trail and the steepest is from Monterosso south.

You should have no problems getting to the inside of the trail should you feel uncomfortable. Just plan ahead as you hike. If you see a large group coming at you, stop....find a place that you feel safe to stand in while they pass.

I understand your fear of heights. The views are beautiful, but a postcard will get you the same photo in a pinch!

Michelle...

I hiked the Cinque Terre in May 2006 with my hubby who is an avid hiker who was patient with me because I'm not in as such good shape as him. The hardest trail was from Monterosso to Vernazza but very rewarding once Vernazza came into view. The trail goes through many vineyards that are terrace farmed so you find yourself going up many many stairs and then down just as many. Then there are many narrow trails as well which do not provide alot of room for passing. The best advice we got was to go either early in the morning or later in the day around dinner time before sunset when not as many people are on the trails and it worked! We even ran into an American couple with the wife 6 months pregnant. This was their 2nd visit and she said they were doing all the trails at that time of the day and then she had no problems. The common problem that hikes had where the groups of German tourists with the double hiking sticks that move fast on the trails during midday.

I've only done the Vernazza to Monterosso trail and the "Via d'Amore" or whatever it's called down in Riomaggiore. Although I absolutely loved it, I would NOT recommend the Vernazza-Monterosso trail to someone with a fear of heights. Italy is one big safety code violation and I'm surprised there aren't more reports of accidents on that trail.

The Riomaggiore trail is beautiful and safe.

I agree with Michael; if you have a fear of heights then don't do the stretch from Monterosso to Vernazza. I was there this past fall, and in places the trail was only a foot or two wide over drops of 5-20 feet.

For the steeper parts, skip them and take the ferry. The views from the water looking up are beautiful. I took the ferry round trip and then got off to enjoy Vernazzo and then reboarded the ferry back to Monterossa. My husband divided the walk into 2 days. He hiked the steepest part first from Monerossa the first day.
He road the ferry the 2nd day with me and then hiked the rest of the trail from there. You don't have to hike the whole trail. If you don't take the ferry you can hop the train between towns for a quick short ride.

Many thanks to all of you for your great advice. Based on your wonderful input I have determined that I can have the best of both worlds. We will hike most of the legs but take the ferry for the 2 most vertically challenging/scarey legs of the trail. Now I can relax and start thinking about how fun it will be!