We are planning on driving into Cinque Terre and only have one day to see the area and do some hiking. What trail/area should we not miss? Please be as specific as possible as we are very unfamiliar with the area. Any suggestions on parking would also be appreciated. I have read this is not easy.

the whole of the main trail is about 7 miles - linking all 5 villages but some segments are at times closed for various reasons - mudslides, bad conditions, etc. so check locally. Some segments are more strenuous than others so describe your comfort level in terms of energy - easy - middle or demanding - some segments are rather demanding but I did the whole 7 miles in one day, day tripping in from nearby Santa Margharita Ligure so that can be done though I think the final piece of cake segment to Riomaggiore - the Road of Love may be closed due to dangerous conditions - it runs along the sea and is basically a boardwalk but storm damage can close it.

We are fit and would be able to hike the whole 7 mile trail but how do we then get back to our car? Is there a train or tram back? I heard you should start at Monterosso al Mare and make your way south. Or is there on particular stretch that we shouldn't miss. Should we park near that and spend more time at one location?

Yes to all your questions - I started in Monterosso and went south or sotuhseast whatever south way is there. The last segment trail may be closed currently.

There are trains and in season boats back from each of the 5 villages to where you start - very frequent trains. I think the hiking pass you must buy to use the trails - not really cheap may include some train travel. Park in Monterosso but get there as early as you can as lots can fill up, even the newish one on reclaimed sea in the port.

But no problem getting back to where you started. These are regional 'milk' trains - with a ticket just hop on them but you may have to validate the ticket yourself - by sticking it in some machine on the platform or at entrances to them - to cancel them as conductors may not be on those trains so this is to make sure you would not use the same ticket again is that were the case.

There is quite a decent sized car park in the newer part of Monterosso al Mare, where the rail station also is - convenient when it comes to getting back by train from Riomaggiore.
In terms of difficulty, starting in Monterosso presents you with the most strenuous leg first, with each of the subsequent stages easier than the one before.
The train serves all towns except Corniglia and service is fairly regular.
If you get back to Monterosso in good time, reward yourselves with a meal in Miky's (big on fish); it's close to the carpark, which is also on the seafront.

The train serves all towns except Corniglia and service is fairly regular.>

Corniglia is the only village not perched on the sea and thus trains cannot trundle up that far above their mainly sea-level tracks but there is a tiny yellow mini-bus that takes folks from Corniglia's seaside train station up to the village proper - or you can walk up about a zillions stairs!

The train runs parallel to the water and trail and, as has been mentioned, runs frequently. Where will you spend the night of your visit there? If in the vicinity, just leave your car and take the train. Then take the train again from wherever you decide to finish and back to your car and hotel. If you haven't planned to stay along the coast you may want to think about it to use the train and not worry about parking in such a congested area. Even if your itinerary takes you away from the coast inland you can use the train that day.

Yes train tickets in from a nearby town not in the 5 Lands may be cheaper and quicker than getting to the Monterosso parking lots, which I think may charge a fairly steep rate but not sure

http://www.walksofitaly.com/blog/cinque-terre/train

We did the ferry one way but took the train back. We hiked this time last year from Monterosso to Vernazza. I am 60 and my friends were all around the same age and did fine.

Thank you all! One last question...how early do the trails open?

Here is a map of currently open trails:

http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/s...ieri5terre.pdf

At the moment, you can hike from Monterosso to Vernazza, but the rest of the coastal train is closed. I've read on this forum that a lot of people hike the closed portions anyway, but I certainly wouldn't advise that.

The open trails are marked in order of difficulty: Blue (easiest), green, and yellow (most difficult). For the yellow trails, you need good hiking shoes, and there will be a lot of climbing.

The map has a key with the starting point (Partenza), arrival point (Arrivo), the distance in meters (lunghezza), estimate of time out (tempo A) and time to return (Tempo B) and amount of gradient in meters (dislivello).

I should have mentioned that the trails marked in red are the ones that are closed.

I hiked the trail from north to south in a day, except for the southernmost section which was closed for repairs, when I was 60 or so and don't recall any of it being particularly difficult. The views are so great, who would notice. I wouldn't do it stilettos but I think any athletic shoes would be good enough. Regarding the closed section, it was blocked off with repairs in progress and not passable.

I echo Mme Perdu's take that after hiking all segments there is nothing extremely challenging about the trails - you need no special hiking gear - at least my athletic shoes were just fine for me.

What is really important is what time of year you are going, whether it is a weekend or a weekday, and the fitness and tolerance for heat and exertion for everyone in your group.

In the summertime in le Cinque Terre, the bare exposed steep hillsides are incredibly hot from 10.30 or so to 5pm or so. It can be grueling to do the hikes in the full summer sun.

A great many people report that the glory of a day trip to le Cinque Terre for them was not hiking in the hot sun, but rather enjoying a respite from cultural sightseeing and immersing themselves in the pleasure of a shady spot with a view of the sea, a bit of swimming, maybe a boat ride, but of course a fun lunch or a sunset mystical moment. That is to say, they let themselves enjoy the lovely relaxed life of the Italian riviera.

It has become a kind of "Rick Steves" thing to hike in le Cinque Terre. If you write guidebooks, then you have to give people advice about "things to do". But the pleasure of that area is not really ticking off "must sees" but appreciating the color contrasts of the pastel buildings and the blue, blue sea, the smell of olives and soil, the hot feel of the sun and the fun of cool drink or a swim. It's mainly a sensory delight, so I would recommend taking a relaxed attitude, come what may, and be sure to relax rather than have a hiking agenda or a check of "not to miss" (lest you miss the most important thing of all -- letting go.)

Thank you all!