Cinque Terre and Train Schedules
Apr 5th, 1998, 02:56 PM
#1
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Cinque Terre and Train Schedules
We are planning to hike the Cinque Terre from Monterosso Al Mare to Vernazza and have dinner at Vernazza, during late May, next month. After dinner (probably around 8:30 to 9pm), we plan to take the train back to Monterosso or Riomaggiore, and return to our car. It will most likely be dark after dinner, so I would like to know how well the areas are lighted up, so that we may find our way to /out of the train stations. Since the train schedules for late May are not out yet, does anybody know from experience, how often and how late the trains run, between these towns in Cinque Terre? Also, are the ferries running between the Cinque Terre, during late May? (I have access to summer schedules only.) Thanks for any advice!
Apr 7th, 1998, 04:16 AM
#2
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Unfortunately,m the ferries run only June-September. We have been there in late May and late October and missed the ferries both times. They run up to Portofino, etc. all year (from Rapallo). Why don't you consider parking your car in Vernazza, then train on down to Riomaggiore and walk back? Even the Thos. Cook train schedule book doesn't list the times between the villages, but it shows trains to La Spezia and Viareggio just about hourly. I strongly suggest you start in Riomaggiore as the walk between it and the next village up is said to be one of the prettiest and easiest of all. In Riomaggiore be sure to go down to the port, which is easily missed. As you exit the train station, turn right (the trail to the other villages is to the left), go through the tunnel, then turn right - there is a signpost or something - on down to the port. That is the spot that is always shown on postcards, etc. as "Riomaggiore." If you haven't already made arrangements as to where to stay, e-mail me for info on a terrific hotel in Rapallo. Happy hiking!
Apr 7th, 1998, 06:07 AM
#3
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Martha: Be sure to look under the post for Cinque Terre/Florence - time schedule. I just added some
info that may be helpful to you. Have you ever been in this area before? It is very pretty. Unless you take the one easy walk that is so easy, as they say, one can push a baby-stroller on (and I don't remember the two towns that has this easy connection) but the other towns are only connected by hikes over the mountains. You could not do these hikes after dinner or at night. But all this info is easy to find out from the locals. I think the trains stop running after a certain time in the evening.
info that may be helpful to you. Have you ever been in this area before? It is very pretty. Unless you take the one easy walk that is so easy, as they say, one can push a baby-stroller on (and I don't remember the two towns that has this easy connection) but the other towns are only connected by hikes over the mountains. You could not do these hikes after dinner or at night. But all this info is easy to find out from the locals. I think the trains stop running after a certain time in the evening.
Apr 8th, 1998, 12:19 PM
#4
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My wife and I have done the Cinque Terre walk/hike twice, the last time in '92 and both times from Riomaggiore to Monterosso (takes about 8-10 hours). From Riomaggiore to Manorola is a piece of cake, wide and paved. The rest is nothing more than a goat trail, in places wide enough for only single passage. The trail is marked, with blue and white blazes, but in some places is difficult to find (leaving Vernazza e.g.). As I recall, the least scenic part of the trail is two hours into (or out of, depending on your route) Monterosso. The hike from Monterosso to Vernazza is about three hours, the last part through olive groves and beautiful views of the Med. Lots of elevation changes. Enjoy, take water!
