We are spending 5 days in Cinque Terre and I've been reading about the hiking trails connecting towns. In Rick Steves book it says something general like "pack sturdy shoes" but on other websites I've read that there are people who check your shoes to make sure they are hiking-worthy and might fine you if not! Can anyone share more about what the shoe requirements are? We weren't planning to pack anything except sandals (comfy ones with straps - this is how travel in warm climates and our feet are always happy). So, I'd love to save the space and not pack a pair of real shoes for each of us just for these hikes if we can avoid it. Thanks!
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7168 posts
I believe the shoes they ban are open shoes (aka sandals/flip flops) and shoes with smooth soles that can slip easily (such as many dress shoes). You want closed shoes with good soles in order to walk the trails safely.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
5492 posts
When in doubt, go to the source. In this case the CT National Parks website: https://www.parconazionale5terre.it/page.php?id=339
Blockquote
OPEN FOOTWEAR AND/OR SMOOTH SOLES, I.E. NOT ANTI-SLIP (SUCH AS VIBRAM TYPE) ARE FORBIDDEN. THE TRANSGRESSORS WILL BE PUNISHED ACCORDING TO PARAGRAPH 2, ARTICLE 30, LAW 394/91 AND SS.MM.II
"On the trails it is compulsory to wear closed, waterproof and ankle covering shoes, with an anti-slip sole."
Posted by
OP
24 posts
Thank you all! This is helpful.
So, does anyone know... does "waterproof" and "ankle covering" mean we need hiking boots versus a pair of athletic shoes with good traction? None of us have hiking boots, so if that's how we should interpret that requirement I may as well leave the shoes at home and skip the trails :(
Also, am I understanding correctly that we could walk the via dell' Amore in sandals?