Advice for exploring Cinque Terre from La Spezia for five days

[auserna]

Could anyone give me some guidance for exploring Cinque Terre, please?

I'll be there for five days next week. I'm staying in La Spezia and will be using public transport. I'd like to see as much as possible without going completely mad. I'm totally mobile and fairly fit and speak basic Italian (can cope with directions, train times, etc.).

My main questions are:

1. What sort of Cinque Terre card should I buy (trekking or train)?
2. What are the absolute must-sees?
3. If I do one hike, which would you recommend? Or do I need to do several to see it properly?
4. Do I need hiking boots, or will trainers be fine?
5. Is it going to be a wash-out if it rains (there is rain forecast, annoyingly)?
6. What's good to do in La Spezia itself?
7. Anything else I haven't thought of?

Thank you!

Oh also, how many days should I buy the card for? Is it just for the national park?

I can’t remember which card we got as it was a few years ago, but we did a hike every day as they don’t actually take that long (the villages aren’t far apart so in terms of miles they’re not that long) but some steep climbs - and the views are spectacular. They are all very well marked between the villages so you won’t have any problems following them, plus there will be others walking it so just follow them!

We wore hiking boots but trail shoes would be fine (as in with a good grip).

My fondest memory is getting great snacks with every drink! Lovely bits of pizza/focaccia so sometimes felt like we could’ve skipped dinner (because we had a fair few beers!)

Oh amazing I had a friend who lived there when I was a lot younger. We did some kind of walk between all the villages. It’s gorgeous you will have a wonderful time.

I just googled and it was via dell’amore / don’t remember any payment or cards back in the 90s!

We walked between most of the places - reward with gelato in each one! We wore trail shoes. In rain, they close some of the footpaths though - I can see why as some of the inland one are steep and muddy in wet conditions.

All of us are wearing hiking boots in all the pictures from our visit. We went October time and walked Monterosso to Vernazza and Corniglia to Vernazza on 2 separate days. The Riomaggiore to Manarola and Manarola to Corniglia sections were both shut at the time due to landslides, this was back in 2018. We used the train or ferry to hop between these towns. Seems they are all open again now. The Riomaggiore to Manarola section could easily be done in trainers now it's back open. There were ticket booths to check we had the right passes at the start and end of each section. They will shut the trails if rains due to risk of injury and landslide. I haven't been to La Spezia, we stayed in Monterosso.

Thanks. Anyone got advice on the Cinque Terre card?

I love La Spezia. Things to see in the town itself are the Amedeo Lia Art Museum and the Castle of San Giorgio which has a museum inside. Or just walk along the harbour and grab an Aperol Spritz! If you do get a chance also visit San Terenzo, about a 15 min bus ride along the coast. It is a really pretty seaside village with a lovely beach.

You won’t be allowed on the trails without proper walking trainers or boots. They are rugged and few stops along the way. The Via del Amore is the easiest and I think now fully open. The trekking card does not cover trains which are useful to hop from one town to another, also to use toilets at stations, whereas the full card does. Take id around with you as inspectors spot check CT ticket holders on platforms. Visit Portovenere and take the hop on hop off ferry around the coast. There is another flat walk between Levanto and Bonnassola along an old railway route. Corniglia is worth the climb from the station. Try to set put early and stay late as the towns get very crowded in the day.

Perfect - thank you. I suspect there's going to be at least one rainy day so those things are v useful to know about (although I can't stand Aperol - it's like drinking marmalade!).

I was going to take (probably wear to travel) proper supportive trainers, but they're not specifically "walking trainers". I assume that will be ok?

Thanks for the other tips. I read that the Via del Amore is now open. I'm not very good at early starts, but will do my best!

They should be if have a grippy sole. The views from the monastery at Monterosso, just above st Francis of Assisi statue, and the castle at Riomaggiore (look for the lifts!)are lovely .

I'll have your share of the "liquid marmalade" then!

You're very welcome to it!

Yeah, proper trainers not fashion ones.

Thanks.