Steep cliffs on hikes in Cinque Terre?

The Via dell'Amore between Riomaggiore and Manarola is not scheduled to reopen until 2021. Sorry!

We found the Sentiero Azzurro -- the main trail between the villages -- much more challenging than we expected it to be with awkward "steps" (I use the word loosely), and sections where in the U.S. there would have been guardrails. So yes, there may be sections your friend will find uncomfortable. Plus a LOT of people. It was like a conga line even in October.

We did find many other trails we liked up higher. You can take a little shuttle bus up in certain places to reach trails less crowded and, IMO, less scary. The trail to the Santuario di Nostra Signora di Montenero was lovely, above Riomaggiore. I believe we started that one with a shuttle that helped us avoid some elevation gain. We also liked the hike up to the sanctuary above Vernazza. A bit of a climb, but safe and with a great place to rest with an amazing view. Here is a link to more trails.

I hiked the whole trail from Monterosso to Riomaggiore before the floods that closed sections of the trail. I have fear of heights and it was VERY VERY challenging for me. The worst part was south of Vernazza, sheer drop offs. I had to be talked through it but I am actually glad I did it.

Thanks so much! I really appreciate your help. I am going to relook at the individual hikes and try to find the ones that are scenic but not scary! Any other advice is greatly appreciated!

Someone recently posted a picture from the Monterosso to Vernazza walk (the one we did in October). I also saw a video on Youtube of the walk you are looking at and it seems similar - sections that are very narrow, rocky, steep drop off and also a cliff jutting out into the walkway. Often no railing. I'm glad I did it, but it was very harrowing in some sections and I wasn't sure at one point if I was going to turn back. If you search on Youtube for the different walks, you'll find videos that show them.

kathleen,

I don't recall any "steep cliffs" but there are steep and narrow parts of the trails in some spots.

As the others have mentioned, only the Monterosso - Vernazza and Vernazza - Corniglia sections of the Sentiero Azzurro are open this year. If starting from Monterosso, there's a fairly steep climb at the beginning which can be a bit challenging for some people. There are also some narrow sections without guard rails but those are not particularly dangerous if one exercises reasonable caution. There's brush on the downhill side, so that would tend to stop anyone from falling too far. In some parts the Monterosso - Vernazza section goes through Olive groves and is very pleasant.

The trail from Vernazza to Corniglia is not quite as challenging. Keep in mind that when you arrive in Corniglia, you'll either have to use the Shuttle Bus (small charge) down the hill to the station, or walk down the 1000 (or whatever) steps. Corniglia is built on top of a rock bluff.

One other point to mention is that while the famous Via dell' Amore from Manarola to Riomaggiore is closed at the moment, there is a short section open from the Manarola end (go up the metal ramp behind the station building). There's a nice bar a short distance from the station, where you can get a light meal or a glass of Vino while enjoying the incredible views.

Thanks so much, that is very helpful! I guess we will try the Vernazza to Corniglia height and probably a sanctuary hiker to. Also, the portion of the via Del amore that’s open from Manarola

You could also plan to split up that day and let her do something else. I am a total height chicken and would not even try the Monterosso to Vernazza hike. My sure-footed nephews did it and told me afterward they knew it would not have been fun for me.

Perhaps she can ride the ferry from town to town or maybe nose around the shops in Monterosso. I can generally find plenty to do there to keep myself occupied!

I agree with Pam. I've never been to CT, but know that I could not do the hikes. Vacations should be fun, not terrifying. You're a good friend to figure this out for her in advance.

If you decide to split up for the day, she might like to follow some of the walks Rick maps out for each town. They offer some great views, include some climbing but mostly on paved roads or stepped paths. As with all his walks, they are easy to follow and rewarding.

Sharon

kathleen, it's hard to tell just how much she'd be bothered by the open Monterosso>Vernazza>Corniglia parts of the "Blue" trail. My Other Half is not wild about heights either but he hadn't even the slightest bit of difficulty with those. As Ken said, a lot of the unprotected parts are screened with heavy foliage, and while some braver hikers might plant their feet perilously close to an edge on lookout points, it's not necessary to do so. Eyes on the trail straight ahead if you don't want the panorama.

Tell you what? Why not look up some youtube films people have taken of these hikes? For instance, here's one a fella took of his trek on the "Blue" from Vernazza to Monterosso:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9LtUKusx-Y

LOL, ignore the goofy "Alvin the Chipmunk" music but do note the many fences along the way. :O)

Vernazza to Corniglia (not scary at all, IMHO):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFTujSdbIn0

When we were on a RS tour last month, several tour members chose and liked the rails-to-trails hike or bike (on Rick's easy list) from Levanto to Bonassola and back. The couple we spent much of the day with hiked Cornigli to Vernazza while we did Monterosso to Vernazza. They didn't have any comments on the trail being scary, but they seemed adventurous. Other friends did the Manarola Vineyard Walk after the bike to Bonassola. That looked like a fun hike and is on the easy list in Rick's book, but we decided to enjoy the view and a drink at Nessun Dorma at Manarola, instead.

The videos Kathy posted do a great job of showing what the trails are like.

My husband and I hiked Vernazza to Corniglia last October. I have a fear of heights and balance issues that can make steep downhill stretches difficult for me, but I love to hike so I do it anyway. I don't recall any places along that trail where I felt like I was near a steep cliff, and only a few places where I needed assistance (just a helping hand for balance) going downhill. I would have no hesitation doing that hike again. In fact, as we were coming to the end of the trail near Corniglia, a group of British tourists asked us if the trail was "scary" and my answer was no.
A thought I just had after viewing part of the video Kathy linked to: if your friend has trouble with heights even when there are fences, you could try hiking from Corniglia to Vernazza since that would put you on the inside of the trail rather than the outside next to the fence.