We are renting a house in Montecatini for a week in Mid-May. Some of our group plan to take the train to Venice for a day tip but I think that's too much travel time for one day. I'm considering Cinque Terre for the day they go to Venice. Is it reasonable to drive from Montecatini to Cinque Terre (or maybe take the train) and do the estimated five hour walk with lunch along the way as a day trip? I hadn't planned to take my hiking shoes, will regular tennis shoes or Merrills work for the path?

Unfortunately, reasonable is very much a personal thing. If you look at www.trenitalia.it, it appears that the train would take about 2 hours each way. I've been to Cinque Terre and recommend everyone to go there. The hiking (when I did it a few years ago) did not require hiking boots; so, your tennis shoes should be fine. Personally, I think it would be a great way to spend a day; although, it will make for quite a long and tiring daytrip. Whichever you decide, have a great trip.

We did the 5 village hike summer before last, but working from Monterosso where we stayed for two nights. We are good hikers and we started mid-morning and got to Riomaggiore about 4:00! But we took a lot of photos and stopped for lunch, etc. Also, we had problems with the trains being delayed to and from this area. I have a suggestion: what if you do the train, and see when you get there? The stretch between the first and second village is really easy, almost flat at the start and paved. It only starts to climb after that. You could just go partway, based on your time and energy. You could also take the local "milk train" that goes between the villages to see more than one. The hike between 3 and 5 is the steep part. I wore Keen sandals. There is a lot of loose little gravel and some very steep drop- offs with no guard rails! I really think you need at least some traction (so if yours are the smooth bottom kind of gym shoes, no!)-but definitely not hiking boots. I believe there are also short boat excursions you might be able to do from Riamaggiore. Last thing: be careful of not taking the last train back!!!!!!!!!!!!

We did a day trip from Florence to Cinque Terre by train. Cinque Terre is absolutely fabulous! Don't miss it. We didn't do the 5 hour walk, just a short one.

We also stayed in Venice. That was also a great highlight, but it would be a shame to spend just part of a day there. I'd leave it and do it justice another time.

The Cinque Terre is only a "five-hour walk" if you do it non-stop, I think. Sections are quite strenuous, the path is rough in spots, so wear shoes with good support and traction. Search for a thread I posted a few months ago, about the details of the Cinque Terre trails. I collected input from many Fodorites, then put all the comments together for each trail. You'll find good advice there.
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Maureen, I checked your CQ thread and found it very informative. I feel certain we will include this day in our itenarary. I believe we will drive from Montecatini to La Spezia, park the car and buy the CQ card that includes hiking pass, train and boats. Begin the walk in Riomaggiorre and if we are too tired to do the last segment or two we can ride the train to those towns and take the boat back. My thought is to spend the entire day, having lunch and possibly dinner before returning to Montecatini. We are accustomed to hiking in the Colorado Rockies (hiking, not climbing!) where the altitude is sometimes the most difficult part so I'm thinking we could handle the entire trail rather easily, especially with a nice lunch break.

Thanks for all your responses.

PaigeS, I'm from Colorado, too! We walked the path from Vernazza to Corniglia. It's absolutely beautiful, but you probably read that it's uphill that direction. So, if you start at Riomaggiore, you'll be going downhill to Vernazza from Corniglia, which could be easier because it's a good 1.5 hour walk on those stairsteps.

We were there in mid-May, too. It's a beautiful time, with fewer tourists and less heat on the trails. The views down to the water are gorgeous, and the water is so clear. I think you'll love it. The ferry boat is fun, too.

I wore regular walking shoes and was fine, but I made sure to have a decent tread on them. Just watch your step on the loose rocks. Hopefully it won't be wet.

Have fun!
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