We will be staying in Greve in Chianti & are planning a day trip to Cinque Terre. We realize this is quite a long drive & plan on getting up very early that day. We would like to start in the southern most village (Riomaggrio?) & head to the "top" ( Monterosso?) We have read this is the "harder" route as the hike from village #4-5 is the most difficult, but we are in our late 20's & in relatively good shape.

All that being said, does anyone know a good place to park near the trail at Riomaggrio? And will it be possible to jump on the train/bus in Monterosso & get at least close to the car on the way down?

Thank you so much for your help!!

Is there anyreason you can't start in Monterosso? I did not have a car in CT, and stayed in Manarolo (Rio->Man->Var->Corn->Mont if my memory serves me right).

I ONLY remember seeing cars in Monterosso, so that may be your easiest start/park. Also remember as long as the seas are not too rough you can take the boat from city to city - so Rio back to your car by boat my have better schedules than the train.

some people are going to say its too long of a trip - you already understand taht and the hiking is not that difficult - Man->Rio is a stone boardwalk of sorts - so that being last has its benefits! Enjoy!

The only reason I didn't want to start in Monterosso is because I have spoken with a few people that have done the hike & they said it is such a beautiful place to end....and I think we would enjoy the more "challenging" hike.

My recollection from last spring is that the hike is pretty much the same in either direction. You are not climbing to the top of something, you are just going up and down along the coast. Rio to Manarola is the easiest leg of the hike--just depends on if you what to start with easy or end up with easy...

Our first visit to CT was in a car and we weren't allowed to park in Monterosso as it was already full. We had to drive back out to main road and then go to the nearest outlying town. We parked in Lavanto and took the train--easy. Check your maps closely to decide how easy or difficult it will be to get to your parking. The CT villages have very limited parking and difficult access from the main highway which is a fair distance from the coastal villages.

Going north or south on the hiking trail makes little difference as both have easy and difficult sections. Have fun. Paul