berner oberland hiking

My wife and I have hiked both. In the BO we hiked from the Birg station (the last station from the Stilthorn) down to Murren on a clear day. That was a good decision, being part billygoat would have been helpful going up. Around Murren the trails are not too challenging but the views are magnificent.
In CT the trails from Vernazza and Riomaggiore are pretty tame and paved in most areas. The trail from Vernazza to Monterosso is a lot of up and down on some pretty rough terrain but I saw women hiking in heels (though not comfortably). But again, the views to Monterosso were worth the effort.
You don't need hiking boots for either trips, but your shoes must be sturdy and comfortable.

My husband and I have hiked both. They both have a wonderful spectrum so that almost anyone can enjoy. As mentioned in CT, the Rig-Cornilia is really very easy. It starts in Rig as nearly flat and paved. Each town gets progressively more difficult. However even the most moderately average person can hike the last leg to Mont. (Forgive my abbreviations, my spelling for these towns is bad).

In the Berner Ob - The Manlichen/Schengden trail is easy breazy. Then we did another that I don't recall the name of and yes, had I been born a billy goat...that would have been a far cry easier. My husband and I had a little spat that day cuz I was whining and complaining...but it actually made for good memories in hind site. We had a picnic at the top and it was beautiful.

Rick's books do a very good job of describing the trails and the level of difficutly. I found his descriptions to be very accurate.

If you do go to Gimmewald - there is an general store that is in the RS book. It is really just a nook in an attic. It feels weird, but check it out. It was un-manned. We went in and picked out an assortment for a picnic. Bread, cheese (really really good cheese), meat, a tube of mustard and a big bottle of water. We thru it in our backpack and left the correct amount of Euro in a basket all based on the honor system. It was great.

The BO has everything from casual paved country strolls to rugged back-country mountain hikes.

You can choose to hike steeper, harder trails in the Cinque Terre, but the main one between towns is fine for most anyone, unless you're in terrible shape. It's well maintained and if it did prove too much at some point, you could just stop at the next town and take the trail back.

I am sure Christy meant to write "take the traiN back."

CLICK HERE to see information on hiking trails in the B.O. Maps, degree of difficulty, etc.

After looking at Larry's link - the easy one in the BO that we did was the Kleine Scheidegg-Mannlichen hike. My memory for the spelling is poor. ;)

I've done both...nothing very different to add except to say that using the “easy, moderate, difficult” trail ratings we’re used to in places like Rocky Mountain National Park, the Cinque Terre trail is easy…more like a walk in some places in my opinion. Around Murren, there are many easy trails across high meadows that anyone can do. If the plan is to do a little light hiking and enjoy the natural environment, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for in both places. Running shoes or good walking sandals will do.