Hiking Cinque Terre

I suppose staying over night isn't out of the question...just a matter of which city and how are the accommodations? Also not sure how long it'd take to get there from Florence. I'm figuring around an hour?

It's a great hike. Not too arduous..I did it in sandals. Then again I only did a portion of it. I'd bring some water but I believe (it's been a few years) it drops into some of the towns if you need a refreshment.

I did it in May 2014. Unbelievable hike with incredible views. It's not very demanding, but definitely a good workout. I think the whole thing was a few hours. I think we did Corniglia to Monterosso. It was one of my girlfriend and I's favorite stops on the trip. We stayed at an AirBnB in La Spezia that was awesome.

Monterosso and Riomaggiore seemed to be the busiest. The area definitely attracts a lot of tourist. You can't go wrong there. And remember, always get the house red wine. Lots of it

Went in June 2012, stayed two nights in Vernazza...one of my favorite places I've ever been.

Can't recommend Ristorante Belforte enough, also Trattoria da Sandro was very good as well. Make sure to drop in to the Blue Marlin Bar after dinner for a cocktail...when we went it was the first night since the mudslides in Fall 2011 that they were open.

As far as hikes, they are manageable...just wear comfortable shoes. We started in Monterroso and hiked to Vernazza (an hour or so). I'd recommend a brief rest/quick lunch before hiking from Vernazza to Corniglia (that stretch takes about 1 hr-1 hr 15 min). We only took a 10 minute water break, and I regret that

The trail was out from Corniglia to Manarola so we hiked down the 400 steps to grab a train to Manarola. The last portion of the "hike" from Manarola to Riomaggiore is paved with a metal railing and only takes 15-20 mins. You'll see the elderly in wheelchairs on that stretch.

I'd recommend taking the ferry boat from Riomaggiore back to wherever you're staying or getting on a train, that way you can see the stretch you just hiked from afar.

Truly rewarding experience...a can't miss for any trip to Italy.

I had just graduated college and was a smoker but felt like I was in pretty good shape. Got humiliated hiking that trail with some elderly European couple. They were beasts. It truly is a beautiful home though.

Thanks for the replies.

After some more research, I've opted to stick with the day trip. Got a pretty expensive hotel (for my budget) in Florence and I don't want to waste a night that I've already paid for and then have to pay for an additional night elsewhere.

I also saw that the main route between Riomaggiore - Manarola - Corniglia is still closed from the 2013 landslide. A portion is open in Manarola, but you otherwise have to take the longer, steeper route.

Game plan now is to take the first high speed rail out of Florence to La Spezia, jump on the regional rail to Monterosso and hike Monterosso - Vernazza - Corniglia. Then take the regional rail from Corniglia to Manarola and maybe Riomaggiore before heading back to Florence late afternoon. Should be easily doable and using the Frecciabianca high speed rail makes the train travel right around 2/2.5 hours.

You won't be unhappy spending time in Florence it is awesome. If you did decide to stay in Cinque Terre, I would stay in Vernazza(see picture above). It is that pretty, and there is a view like that everywhere in town. And I would mostly be concerned with the hikes from Vernazza to Corniglia, and Vernazza to Monterresso. Both are fantastic, and about 2 miles each. In Vernazza, go above the train station(higher on the mountian, up from the ocean) to the restuarant.. Best coffee, and best Italian food in town. Talk to Maximesio, he is the chatty of the twins.
In my opinion, it is worth it to fit in a couple of days there. But Italy is awesome, anywhere you stay.

I was in the Cinque Terre about 10 years ago. We did it as a day trip from Florence but we had a rental car. We parked at the La Spezia train station and got a pass that allowed us access to the trains and trails. We went to all 5 villages. The trail from Riomaggiore (1) to #2 was paved and easy. We also hiked from Vernazza (4) back to 3, Corniglia I believe. That walk was a little more demanding, especially after lunch with wine at Gambero Rosso in Vernazza. We took the train the rest of the way. Beautiful views of the Mediterranean from the trails. You will love it.

Who did you book through? What site? We are bringing my parents to Italy late September early October 2017.