La Spezia Warnings and Dangers

The road to the villages of Cinque Terre from La Spezia, although stunning, are extremely dangerous if you are not careful. Do not attempt to make the drive if you are the least bit tired or otherwise not at your peak performance level. The road weaves it's way up and through the mountainside. There is not much in the way of guardrails or shoulder on the road, which is barely wide enough for the two way traffic it accomodates. All it would take is one small mistake, one knee jerk reaction to an oncoming vehicle and you will find yourself plummeting to your demise hundreds of feet down to the sea. Try to avoid driving this road at night, as there is very little lighting to help your cause (we drove back after sunset). I'm very glad we were able to make this drive, and suggest anyone capable do the same, just take the proper precautions and you will be in for a very special ride.

As of late February 2002 the trail between Manarola and Corniglia was closed. Being the curious fellow I am, I was determined to get around the blockades and I did manage to survive the path between the two towns. But I had to carefully scamper across a section of trail washed out by a rockslide (see photo), cross a closed bridge that had missing planks, and then I was forced to make my way down the cliff to the rocky beach below to get around another inaccessible section of the path. Climbing up through an aquaduct to get back to the trail from the beach was the easy part. It was fun, but risky! I recommend taking the train between Manarola and Corniglia...