Untold Italy · Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Cinque Terre National Park has implemented rules prohibiting flip-flops and thin-soled sandals on hiking trails to ensure safety, with fines starting at 50 euros and potentially reaching 2,500 euros. This measure addresses the frequent need for mountain rescue due to injuries sustained by hikers in inappropriate footwear.
“The National park there has rules about what you can wear on its hiking trails between the five villages, and they don't like flip flops, thin sandals, or anything with a smooth sole.”
“Park officials have been running spot checks on the trails to enforce it, and look, there's a really good reason for it. Those parts are really steep, they're narrow, and they're cutting to rock and mountain rescue teams were being called out constantly for people who had rolled an ankle or you know, had some minor injuries or sometimes major in the wrong shoes”
“So if you are walking between the villagers Rio Maggiore, Manarola, Carnelia, Venazza and monsters, so bring a proper closed shoe that's suitable for hiking with some grip on the sole.”