A friend and I are talking about a possible trip to the Cinque Terre in spring. She's quite a hiker, but I had foot surgery last year and can walk maybe a mile or so at a time before I start getting pain. I'm wondering if this is a good area for us to consider given my foot problem. Opinions?

You can walk or take the train from town to town. The walks vary from very flat and short to an hour long hike. You can walk some with her and take the train and wait for her at a nice cafe for the others.

It's not true that all the walks are flat and short! Some can be quite strenuous. There are also some steep staircases to the train platforms as I recall.

It's also fun to connect from town to town by the oft-running boat service.

Thanks for the input. Sounds like it might be doable, but perhaps not the best place for us to go. Anyone else?

Hi Pam,

If you can climb stairs, try the Amalfi Coast. You get bus service between towns as well as walking paths.

The easy, shortest walk is from Riomaggiore to the next town north (Corniglia - ?) flat and about 1 mile. The rest of the CT is longer distances and pretty rough for non-hikers so I wouldn't recommend it for you if you are still having pain walking.

I agree with Dale. IT is beautiful however, if she doens't mind hiking alone (though others are on the trail to help if needed) then you could train and meet her in the next town!

The easier trail is from Riomaggiore to Manarola..Very easy, picturesque walk..other than that..I suggest that you let your friend do the walking..CT..can be very strenous and the villages roads are up, up..
I stayed for a week at Manarola, after all these climbing up the roads, at the end of my stay I developed good muscular calves...

The towns are a treat and the sea views excellent. As mentioned above, train & even boat connections mean that you don't need to hike. If you think you'll get a chance to go another time when you're at full strength I'd hold off, but if not then I'd go and just skip the longer hikes.

are the towns themselves fun to hang around in? AI understand there are some cafes and shops.

sorry I just found the thread that answered this question.

Thanks, Everyone, for your input. We decided to go to the Amalfi Coast this year instead. I've been there before, but... you can't go too many times, can you?!
Best,
PamR