Shoes for Cinque Terre
 

We will be hiking in the Cinque Terre in early June. How strenuous is the hiking? We are used to hiking in the mountains in fairly rocky terrain - where hiking boots are required. We are trying to pack light and were wondering if we could get by with just tennis shoes in CT. If I'm not hiking over lots of rocks, or muddy terrain, I often just hike in tennis shoes and I do just fine. What is your expert advice Fodorites?

We both wore good quality sneakers and it was fine.

I wore worn out fair quality sneakers and felt fine and that was several years ago before trail improvements I believe have been made - forced perhaps by landslides that periodically close key segments - all told it is about 7 miles from Monterosso to Riomaggiore via all three in-between villages - I did it easily in a day. Now there are nore rugged trails I understand in the area that are more vertical but the main trail is somewhat linear - peaking at Corniglia - i think that's the name of the third town from Monterosso whoses town center is perched high overlooking the coast.

Last reports I heard the last segment - the Via d-Amore (sp?) the flat boardwalk like final piece along the sea was closed due to damage from flooding but suppose it will reopen for the big tourist season - you see baby carriages on that part - love it!

I also recommend wearing shoes.

running shoes will be fine.. thousands of people trek along there. its not really like mountain hiking , although some legs are more strenuous then others.

I wore my converse hi tops and did ok. I found the wet slippery rocks the worst part of it and that was only in a small section.

Just what I was hoping to hear! Thank you all!

It really depends on which trails you want to hike. The park service has a trail map that rates the trails.

http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/s...sp?id_lingue=2

As you can see, many of the coastal paths (including the Via d'Amore) are closed (marked in red), and have been closed for several years, not because of flood damage, but because of the risk of landslides. I think that it's unlikely that they'll reopen this season, because the risk of landslides remains high.

The high trails have little or no land above them that can slide, so they tend to remain open. However, these are the trails that are more likely to require hiking shoes.

Those who recommend wearing tennis shoes should specify which trails they hiked. If they're trails that are now closed, the advice is not very relevant.

We hiked in the Cinque Terre last year.

The Monterosso-Vernazza trail, the only part of the Sentiero Azzurro open then, was very crowded.

We found the other trails much more enjoyable. The trail from Levanto to Monterosso al Mare has great views of Monterosso as you approach.

We also did Manarola to Corniglia, passing through Volastra (and stopping for pastry and cappuccino). Some great views here too and a trail that winds past vineyards and lemon trees.

I had on Clark's Wave Trek shoes that are somewhere between a sneaker and a lightweight hiker. But I saw plenty of people in tennis shoes and the occasional hiking sandal.

There is some loose gravel and on some of the lower areas or in moist/misty conditions, you might encounter a few wet, slippery rocks.

I (and my knees)really appreciated the trekking poles I had along - just be mindful of them in the crowded towns!