Hi,

When will this hiking take place???

I'm interested, but would like to know more about it.

Greetings, Aletta

Hi Aletta,

every couple of weeks. Next one should be on August 28th and will likely take place in Framura. Then there may be hikes on Sept 11th and 25th (but the dates also depend on the weather)

You may view a "hike history" on liguriah.wordpress.com/

If you have doubts/questions/hamlet dilemmas, please give me a shout!

Greetings, Andy

PS: Geneva is pretty far from Genova (despite there being only one vowel to tell them apart), but it's well connected with the train, via Milano: however,if you were planning on having Milano as base, be aware that weather is currently pretty hot!

Ironically enough we have just yesterday returned from this very trip. The Cinque Terre were absolutely inundated with tourists and you could not move! We had to wait on the steep, stoney, narrow paths behind, literally, hundreds of other people all shouting to each other and it was extremely annoying. We go hiking to commune with nature and enjoy the surroundings, not listen to others loud gossip. The goods for sale in the five little villages, [although picturesque and quaint] were twice the price of other places. We actually came home early because it was just so unpleasant. Even the trains were jam packed with people travelling between the five villages.

But don't let me put you off going!!!!!

The Cinque terre can be crowded with Italian group, usually they are by the VIa dell amore, because it's flat and easy and only 2kms long. I usually avoided this one and hike up by the wineyard instead. It's too bad that you din't enjoy it, take the good side of it "Great food and wine, the language is like a song, warm place and people by the sea, great coast scenery with hikes all the way to Portovenere " Been there 5 times with group and really like the place. Yes goods are not cheap, but it's a tourist spot, and now with the € a little down, It's not that bad. Anyway going back again in 4 weeks from now, and i am looking forward to it

Just came back from there, awesome place to hike, i think ill be interested, for how many u wanna go there?

yeah, count me in

Well i am going from the 17 to the 21 of october and i have one space left

Check it out http://www.voyagesrandonnees.ch/cinqueterreEnglish.pdf

With two threads coming out of one, I'm not sure whether I should answer to the posts above or if they are all addressed to levoyageur. Anyway, my 2 cents:

- to SheilaC: I agree with the complaints on the density of people in Cinque Terre. I've never hiked in Cinque Terre in the summertime: just seeing the mass of people on the Riomaggiore and Monterosso platforms, waiting for the train, reminds me of a shopping mall scene from a Romero movie. In the spring and in autumn, however, Cinque Terre are not scary. And the prices aren't that bad (however, I haven't eaten in Cinque Terre for the past 3 years). Anyway, you should give Liguria another try, if you haven't tried the two tower Punta Manara+Punta Baffe hike near Sestri Levante, or the Colle Caprile-Ruta trail. They are closer than Cinque Terre and not less beautiful.

- to levoyageur: even though there are many Italians on Via dell'Amore, I think foreigners are still the majority. Ligurians are regarded as the Scots of Italy: they're stingy and hardly hand out the wallet, let alone for hiking! As for the hikes, indeed the ones leading to Portovenere are usually overlooked and therefore are much more pleasant. One of my favourite hikes is the loop trail on Palmaria Island. Only there you can fully appreciate the beauty of Portovenere (because it lies right in front of you) 

- to Olga, Fazzi and whoever may be interested in having a new weekend in Liguria: feel free to join http://www.facebook.com/groups/137458586294935/

(be it, if you wish to discuss about Liguria, request a hike or seek advice)

Otherwise, there's also a hike calendar on http://liguriah.wordpress.com : you can expect hikes to be posted every 2 weekends. Anyway, if you do come, I would suggest staying in a big city like Milano or Genova (they offer something to do even if it rains).