Hiking time between 5 villages in CT

For the first trail between Riomaggiore and Manarola, it's 25 minutes. The trail is mostly paved or level. Very easy. From Manarola to the Corniglia train station, it's about 40-45 minutes. Not as level but not strenuous either. Note that the next leg from Corniglia to Vernazza begins high up in the town of Corniglia. From the Corniglia train station, you can either walk up 400+ stairs (20+ sets of switchback stairs) to the town or take the mini-bus up to the town. Cornigila to Vernazza can take 90 minutes but as seniors, it took us 3 hours. Lots of uneven stairs made from rocks. Lots of height. Very scenic and beautiful nonetheless. We did not hike the last segment.

Thanks, Larry. Do you know if we can catch the ferry/boat from Corniglia beach-side to Vernazza? Would like to hike the two segments from Riomaggiore to Corniglia but can't go up to Corniglia and on to Vernzza by hiking.

My husband says there is no ferry boat from Corniglia. You would have to take the train.

Vernazza to Monetrosso is the hardest part of the trail and will take 90 minutes to two hours depending on your skill level. If you do a lot of hiking in Colorado, then you'll probably meet the 90 minute time. There are many uneven steps, narrow spots, and spectacular views. Unless you're hiking for the aerobic work out (you're on vacation!), plan to spend the whole day strolling, stopping in villages for a gelato and lunch, and generally absorbing the atmosphere. I did the Monterosso to Riomaggiore hike (hardest to easiest), then took the ferry back to Monetrosso. You can do the same with a return train. Watch out for other high powered tourists with the walking sticks - not stereotyping, but they're usually German and they'll knock you over if you get in the way.

Is the hike easier and faster if you start in Monterrosso and work your way down?

Doing the whole 5 villages is a long day...and that was after I'd hiked in the Swiss Alps! It was beautiful and fun. I stopped along the way and swam or had lunch, but I was beat at the end. the train back to Monterosso al Mare was very welcome. if I were to do it again (and I hope to) I'd break it up into two days and take the train back to my home base at the end of each daily walk. I think that may give more time to explore too. Have fun!

We did all five starting in Monterosso and it took us 6 hours including stopping for lunch in Vernazza and stopping in each town to check it out. We are in good shape, but took lots of time to stop and check it out.

By far the highlight of our 15 days in Italy.

We pretty good hikers too but did the whole thing in one day. We stopped for drinks at the villages and to pet the cats. We used the train for our backtracking. Even in October it was pretty warm and we could have carried more to drink.

Is this hike very difficult for someone in average fitness level? I would love to do it, but the most I do is a treadmill for 30 mins three times a week. I plan on going in early July, so I expect to have some heat related issues. I will bring much water and some meal bars.

Any other suggestions or warnings that anyone knows of?

It looks great and I can't wait to go

Robert

Karen, five to six hours is a good estimate to hike all of the trails. However, that will depend to some extent on your fitness level, and how often you stop to admire the scenery, take photos, visit with the feral Cats, etc.

As the others mentioned, the hike from Monterosso al Mare to Vernazza is the most challenging. Vernazza to Corniglia is almost the same, but slightly easier. The famed via dell 'Amore from Riomaggiore to Manarola is virtually all paved and very easy, especially considering there's a nice Bar part way along to stop and have a "beverage".

Note that to hike the trails, a C.T. card is required. There will be people in small wooden booths checking to see that hikers have the card. Note also this has to be validated the same as a train ticket.

I set a goal to hike all of the trails, but due to "foot problems" I spread that out over two days. I started in Monterosso and did those two trails first, and then took the train from Corniglia to Riomaggiore (where I was staying). The next day I hiked from Riomaggiore to Corniglia and then took the train back.

While you can hike the trails in a few hours, I like to take some time to appreciate the scenery and take some (hopefully) good photos.

Happy travels!

Please use the search feature to get hundreds of posts related to the CT trails. Or try

www.slowtrav.com/italy/liguria/cinqueterre.htm

www.slowtrav.com/italy/liguria/cinqueterre.htm

We plan to try the full hike in one day also. If we hike one way, how reliable and how expensive are the boat rides back to our starting point? Any place to find information on this? Thanks.

Robert,

we went to CT a week ago and with the heat there of about 95 F plus humidity hiking was very exhausting. We did Monterossa to Vernazza in about 2 hours and even though my 10 year old slowed us down (our 12 year old is a soccer player, much fitter than myself) we overtook quite a few people on the way! We were too beat to do much more after that, took a train ride and only added the short walk from Riomaggiore to Manarola. The highlight of the day was the break we took at the cafe that's located on the Via del Amore half way between Riomaggiore and Manarola - it was in the shade!!!!!

You have to be in very good physical condition to do the entire hike in one day during a hot summer day.