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Guide book for Cinque Terre and Liguria coast trails

Guide book for Cinque Terre and Liguria coast trails

Old Aug 17th, 2015, 06:09 AM
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Guide book for Cinque Terre and Liguria coast trails

Can anyone recommend a guide book specific to the Cinque Terre & Liguria coast for hiking trails? I know there is info in the Rick Steves Italy book but I'm looking for something with more detail about the trails. I know there is a lot of info on line but I'd prefer to have something in a book form.

We will have 4 full days in Rapallo in September, and weather permitting want to walk/hike both in Cinque Terre and around Santa Margherita.

I know the most popular CT trails will most likely still be closed but there seem to be lots of other trails. We are fairly good hikers and can deal with a more vigorous trail.

I considered waiting until we get there to buy a guide, but I'm concerned if we couldn't find anything and/or it wasn't in English.

Thanks for your help.

Cindy
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Old Aug 17th, 2015, 06:41 AM
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For trails you probably will do better with google searches on the internet and consulting with locals who post on Tripadvisor.

You should also do some googles searches for trails in the Portofino national park and also don't forget that you can take the cable car from Rapallo up to the Monteallego sanctuary, and there are several trails up there in all directions, including walking down to Chiavari, which might be fun. If I can find some info on the internet I will post it. The tourist offices in these towns should be able to help.

Just bear in mind 2 things:

1) When trails are closed in le Cinque Terre due to weather, you shouldn't be out walking on other trails, especially if it has been raining for several days. Many of the other Ligurian trails are unmonitored by have risk of slides or are dangerously slippery when muddy. When it has been persistently wet but if you still want to stretch your legs, go to Camogli and walk up the staircase to San Rocco. You can walk from there to Ruta and take a bus back to Rapallo -- a very pretty ride.

2) In September it can still be quite hot everywhere Liguria, especially on the hillsides in the afternoons. Take water and try not to be hiking in the worst heat of the day, from noon to 4. That said, be aware that there are plenty of wild boar and goats in the Ligurian hills. They avoid le Cinque Terre -- too many tourists! -- but they do like to be out and about very early in the morning elsewhere. I advise agaisnt crack of dawn excursions into the remote trails.
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Old Aug 17th, 2015, 06:43 AM
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http://www.portofinotrek.com/trek/la...-chiavari.html
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Old Aug 17th, 2015, 06:59 AM
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I have an older edition of Lonely Planet's 'Walking in Italy' with a decent chapter on Liguria & CT. I just looked on Amazon and the newer edition is called 'Hiking in Italy' and appears to have much less. The older edition is available used for little more than the cost of shipping. For under $5 it might be worth a look or request it through your library's interlibrary loan system if you can get it free.

I find when I'm walking it's often useful to bring information from a variety of sources, print & online, for a well-rounded view of things.
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Old Aug 17th, 2015, 07:28 AM
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We had "50 Hikes in & Around Tuscany," which lists 4 hikes of 4-5 hours length. We ended up doing shorter versions of these hikes, as described below. The book was okay for an overview. Maybe search for trail descriptions on-line and then purchase a good map or visit TI.

There are TIs in each town; in Manarola there is also a shop, Cinque Terre Trekking, should you need any gear (I purchased trekking poles which were very helpful). An English speaking owner.

Manarola-Volostra-Corniglia: About 2 hrs (unless you stop in Volostra for cappuccino break). A beautiful hike, not over touristed, that takes you high above the coast through vineyards. There is a helpful description of this walk in Rick Steve's "Italy Cinque Terre" snapshot book. Take the steep route up through the vineyards to the religious scene if you like a challenge. Plan on lunch in Corniglia.

Levanto-Monterosso (could be extended to Vernazza with the Sentiero Azzurro Monterosso to Vernazza trail, which may be open): Loved the Levanto-Monterosso portion; we did the Monterosso-Vernazza portion another day and found it--as the only part of the Sentiero Azzurro open--to be very crowded. From the Levanto train station, hike towards the harbor, turn left on Corso Italia, and keep an eye out for signs for the Sentiero Levanto-Portovenere.
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