Italy in August
Apr 26th, 2018, 01:51 PM
#21
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Palenq, you keep mentioning the lowest trails in the Cinque Terre, without adding that two (out of four) have been closed for seven years now. The other two are often closed as well, especially if there's been recent heavy rain. All four have been closed for several months.
Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre - Visita il Parco - Sentieri e outdoor
The lower trails begin with 592, and a red circle means "closed".
Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre - Visita il Parco - Sentieri e outdoor
The lower trails begin with 592, and a red circle means "closed".
Apr 27th, 2018, 03:24 AM
#22
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I am thinking of skipping Cinque Terre completely (lots of people think it is too busy and the photos look a bit overwhelming) and staying in Venice. Do the trails tend to open up in the summer ?
As I said, two of the four trails have been closed for the past seven years, summer and winter, and it's unlikely they'll be opened any time soon. The other two have been open off and on this year. I wouldn't venture to say what the probabilities of closing are. The high trails are almost always open, but you need good hiking shoes and a good level of fitness. These trails are also not as crowded.
If you really want to see the Cinque Terre, I'd suggest staying two nights, so you can enjoy it after the daytrippers leave, and spend your full day on the high trails. I wouldn't recommend going on a day trip.
As I said, two of the four trails have been closed for the past seven years, summer and winter, and it's unlikely they'll be opened any time soon. The other two have been open off and on this year. I wouldn't venture to say what the probabilities of closing are. The high trails are almost always open, but you need good hiking shoes and a good level of fitness. These trails are also not as crowded.
If you really want to see the Cinque Terre, I'd suggest staying two nights, so you can enjoy it after the daytrippers leave, and spend your full day on the high trails. I wouldn't recommend going on a day trip.
Apr 29th, 2018, 06:15 AM
#23
Join Date: Feb 2007
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Just a couple of comments. If you decide to go to CT I highly recommend this guide:
Sunflower Guide to hiking Cinque Terre
I have been to CT twice in July and it was crowded. When we stayed in Riomaggiore the town was bursting at the seams, but surprisingly when we got up and did the hikes (by 9 am) there weren't too many people on the trails. Some of the main trails were closed so we did the higher ones. One day we hiked Riomaggiore - Porto Venere (took 4-5 hours) and caught the ferry back. That was a great hike with a few places to stop for a drink in the first half and not crowded at all.
One tip: if you do go to CT make dinner reservations at restaurants with a view in advance and you will be happy you did. We had a great meal at Ancora della Tartuga - Monterosso. Also there was a restaurant at Riomaggiore with a great view.
On another trip despite the crowds I wanted to stop overnight with my husband. We stayed in Monterosso (left the car in Levanto) and stayed at the Hotel Souvenir which was a few minutes walk from the beach front but far enough away to not notice the crowds. We hiked in the late afternoon (just Monterosso - Vernazza) and it was pleasant. Would definitely not recommend the beaches around CT in high season.
Sunflower Guide to hiking Cinque Terre
I have been to CT twice in July and it was crowded. When we stayed in Riomaggiore the town was bursting at the seams, but surprisingly when we got up and did the hikes (by 9 am) there weren't too many people on the trails. Some of the main trails were closed so we did the higher ones. One day we hiked Riomaggiore - Porto Venere (took 4-5 hours) and caught the ferry back. That was a great hike with a few places to stop for a drink in the first half and not crowded at all.
One tip: if you do go to CT make dinner reservations at restaurants with a view in advance and you will be happy you did. We had a great meal at Ancora della Tartuga - Monterosso. Also there was a restaurant at Riomaggiore with a great view.
On another trip despite the crowds I wanted to stop overnight with my husband. We stayed in Monterosso (left the car in Levanto) and stayed at the Hotel Souvenir which was a few minutes walk from the beach front but far enough away to not notice the crowds. We hiked in the late afternoon (just Monterosso - Vernazza) and it was pleasant. Would definitely not recommend the beaches around CT in high season.
Apr 30th, 2018, 03:08 AM
#24
Join Date: Feb 2016
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We found Santa Margharita Ligure a nice seaside town that we easily hopped to 5 Terre for the day - walked the 7 miles between villages on lowest trails. SML is also a tourist scene but not nearly as overwhelmed as CT - and SML is also right next door to Uber famous and popular Portofino - ex-fishing village perhaps even more inundated than CT towns but in a nice natural setting - lovely walks in hills surrounding it.
Many here love Camogli too as a nearer base for CT towns.
Many here love Camogli too as a nearer base for CT towns.
Last edited by Reven; Apr 30th, 2018 at 03:08 AM. Reason: Autocorrect mistakes
