Cingue Terre w/Walking Difficulties-Possible?
 

DH and I are returning to Italy June 2009 with friends. It is our 4th trip, our friends 1st. The only place my friends consider “a must” is The Cinque Terre.

My situation: I have severe arthritis. This makes hill climbing, stair climbing difficult. Having said that, I have walked into and around Siena, San G, Assisi and we have made our way way through Rome, Sorrento, Positano and Puglia. I tell you this, to let you know that while the climb/walk may be difficult, unless the terrain is VERY rough or steep, I can manage. We have never been to the Cinque Terre, as we have been unsure if I could manage it.

Question: Has anyone else with physical challenges been to CT? Is there one town better than others in this regard? If so, I would appreciate your help,

The trail from Riomaggiore to Manarola is paved and is called the "Via dell'Amore" or Path of Love, is not very far between the towns. I walked it a few months ago and a woman on crutches passed me. I saw her later on sipping wine at a snack bar on the path.

There are stairs at the ends of the path but it is easy in between. I admire your spunk!

If I may ask, what type of arthritis? I was diagnosed at 35 with RA, and for about ten years, even though I would suck it up for trips and business, the pain was almost unbearable at times.

In 1998, I started Enbrel (a once-a-week injectable). For the past ten years, I have had virtually no RA pain, play basketball almost every day, and my travels have been pain free (well, except for a strained tendon that nothing to do with arthritis).

If it is RA, I would definitely ask my doctor about Enbrel or a few other similar type drugs.

As for CT,SeaUrchin's walk is doable, and the walk from Manarola to Corniglia train station is pretty easy (if you want to actually see Corniglia, you have to climb 300+ steps). Have fun and hang in there.

((H))

Hi travel,

Yes, the paved walk between Riomaggiore and Manarola would be ok for you. The rest, I don't think so! As Tom mentioned there are many stairs up to Corniglia and from Corniglia to Vernazza is quite a hike. It ends with tons of stairs down into Vernazza. Plus, June will be hot.

I would do the first Via della Amore, then let the others continue on while you catch the train to the next town. You can stroll at bit while you wait for them to arrive. You'll still be able to enjoy a lot of the scenery and 5 villages that way.

I would still go to the Ligurian coast even if not hiking the CT.

Buona fortuna

I was just about to post and mention you want to AVOID Corniglia, as it sits up high (doesn't have access to water) and altho the walk between Manarola - Corniglia is pleasant, you then have to trek up several flights of stairs to get from the pathway and/or train UP to the town itself.

Another option to consider is the boat that travels between the towns. Since Corniglia doesn't have a port it only stops at 4 of the 5 CT villages -- goes from La Spezia to Portovenere on to Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza & Monterosso. Altho Portovenere isn't officially part of the CT, it is quite charming.

Thanks SeaUrchin. Sometimes I think there is a fine line between spunk and insanity :) Any hotel ideas folks? I don't need to be able to walk to each town, but I want a hotel that isn't too difficult to get in and out of, perhaps a bottom floor, restaurants not too far and if possible...a view. Am I asking too much? Also, under/around 120E.

Maitaitom:
1st let me say, I enjoy yor trip reports. Yes, I have RA and was diagnosed when I was 13 (40+ years ago). I am on a new experimental wonder drug that works great.Unfortunately,much damage to my joints has already occurred. Hotel ideas anyone? Again, I can take the train, just am concerned about the hotel. Thanks !

Good for you! I stayed in Santa Margherita which is down the coast but it is flat!

Travel,

We stayed at the Grand Hotel Portovenere which made a great base to explore the CT. As JBX, mentioned Portovenere is not one of the "5" but it's very charming and relatively flat.

I just took a look at Grand Hotel Portovenere. Looks like a definite possibility. A bit more than I wanted to spend, but we just may have to.

Keep the ideas coming ! Thanks !

You can take a ferry from Monterosso to all the towns including Portovenere. It is absolutely breath-taking to see each of the villages perched on the side of a cliff. I go by ferry every time I go to the Cinque Terre. You can take the train back if you don't want to do the return on the ferry from all the villlages, but not from Portovenere.

You all are keeping my hopping (and hoping). Monterosso has a hotel "La Spiaggia" that looks like it would meet my needs. I saw it on trip advisor. I think Monterosso will work ! Any other hotelrecs there ?

We went to the Cinque Terre last summer. I also had doubts about the walking, since my husband has had 2 hip replacements. We walked the Via del' Amore and as mentioned here a very easy stroll. After seeing the next part, I think we could have managed that, although we took the train between the other towns provided transportation. The boats were not operating that day or we would have used this mode. We did climb the stairs and while there are a lot of them, it is easy to stop, turn and enjoy the view.My understanding is for the true hikers, there are trails further up, which are more difficult as evidenced by those wearing hiking boots. We absolutely loved this area which was our 7th trip. Enjoy!

We loved staying at Ca du Gigante in Montorosso al Mare.
Stayed there in May 2006 and it is very conveniently located with no climbing stairs or hills.
Also, they had a good breakfast and parking for our car out front.
Room was nicely decorated and comfortable.
Maria, was the receptionist who spoke excellent English and was very helpful.
I have Spinal Stenosis and 2 herniated discs and was able to do the Via dell'Amore walk, so you will manage that, I'm sure!
The train makes everything very easy and I just let the others do the hills and stairs while I sat and enjoyed the atmosphere of Cinque Terre& the people . You will have a great time!

There is a small van type bus that leave from the train station up to Corniglea so you don't have to climb those 365 steps.

Thanks for all of the tips. We have decided on Monterosso. I keep going back and forth between Hotel Pasquale and La Spiaggia. Does anyone have any experience with either one of these hotels? My main concern is still if the area to the hotel and area around it (to get to restaurants, shops) will be manageable for me. I had decided on Hotel Pasquale but it may be a bit more money than a view room at La Spiaggia. I have sent an email to them about costs.

I appreciate any thoughts on this. Thanks!

Here is a new B&B that gets good reviews:
www.ilgiardinoincantato.net
Good luck !

Thanks Bob, it looks lovely. What I like about Hotel Pasquale and La Spiagge is the view. Something I read made me think these hotels would work for me, but when I look back for reassurance I can't find why I thought that ! It's the part of the planning where I start 2nd guessing myself.

Pasquale has a great location on the water but can be noisy.

We stayed at the Hotel Pasquale in May and loved it. The view from the hotel is beautiful. They have a little elevator and no long hallways. It is about a five minute walk from the train station, up a slight incline, but not too bad. But the boat to the other towns is just out in front of the hotel and lots of different restaurants and shops are very close and Old Town is relatively flat. You can hear the train noise from the hotel, although it did not bother us at all.