Cinque Terre lovers walk: Manarola - Riomaggiore

via dell'amore – from Manarola to Riomaggiore

One of the most famous hiking trails is the Cinque Terre lovers walk which is also called “lovers' lane” or "via dell'amore". The footpath connects the villages Manarola and Riomaggiore.

In the past the lovers of the two neighboring villages have met on the Cinque Terre lovers lane to enjoy the romantic coastline.

The Cinque Terre lovers walk between Manarola and Riomaggiore is a flat and well paved footpath that runs 1,5 km along the rocky coast.

You will have a spectacular panorama view on Riomaggiore with its picturesque colored houses on the rocks.

With only 20 minutes walking time the Cinque Terre lovers walk is the shortest, flattest and therefore easiest hiking trail the Cinque Terre.

Information about the Cinque Terre footpath:

Route: MANAROLA - RIOMAGGIORE
Length: 1.5 Km
Height difference: 10 m
Walking time: 20 minutes
Level of difficulty: easy
Charges: yes in high season

New: Reopening via dell'amore 2023/2024

After a storm on October 25, 2011, the coastal path had to be closed because the heavy rain caused some mudslides. A lot of time passed, then the extensive renovation work began to secure the steep and up to 150 m high rock faces with steel nets.

After 11 years, a first section of via dell'amore was reopened on June 8th, 2023. The first 170 m can thus be walked on again, and the complete opening of the tourist pearl is planned for July 2024. However, the number of visitors is limited and reservations are required.

A few interesting numbers:

• 170 m length of the first renovated section
• 900 m total length of the coastal path to be secured
• 26,000 m2 of INOX steel nets to secure the rock
• 40,000 m anchor rods for fixation
• 23 million euros renovation costs

Manarola: Start of the Cinque Terre lovers' lane

The Cinque Terre lovers lane Manarola - Riomaggiore starts at the train station Manarola "stazione Manarola," which is located in the east of the village.

Right next to the train station of Manarola begins the Cinque Terre lovers' lane to Riomaggiore with a short stair to climb up to the rocky cliffs of the coast.

Particularly characteristic of Manarola are the colorful houses on the steep rocks.

A few meters after the beginning of the footpath “via dell'amore“ you have to pass an iron door.

Cinque Terre Card: Admission trails + train

At the iron door there is a "checkpoint" - in the high season the Cinque Terre lovers walk is not free of charges.

If you buy a day pass of the so-called "Cinque Terre Card", then you can use all Cinque Terre hiking trails.

In addition the same card can be used as Cinque Terre train card. So you can also use the regional Cinque Terre train (2nd class) between Levanto and La Spezia.

Here you can find further information to the Cinque Terre Trains

Under the sign of love...

During the walk you will discover along the cliffs many hearts and love symbols which have been signed forever on cacti, rocks, ...

On the walls you will find also some portraits of famous lovers.

In addition along the path you will see many love padlocks and chains that have been mounted as a sign of eternal love.

Origin of the via dell'amore

The foundation of the lovers' lane was made in the years 1926 - 1928 when the path was used to do blasting operations during the construction of the railway tunnel.

Later the narrow footpath was expanded by the inhabitants of Manarola and Riomaggiore, which was difficult because of many rockfalls, landslides, ...

But love prevailed and the romantic path of love became famous worldwide.

Since the creation of this way, young love couples have met on the benches of the promenade to spend some romantic moments under the beautiful panorama of the sea.

We are reaching Riomaggiore

Another attraction of the Cinque Terre is located at the end of the Cinque Terre love walk: the village Riomaggiore

You should spend some time to visit Riomaggiore with its beautiful bay.

Riomaggiore further hiking tours

In Riomaggiore ends the famous blue trail No. 2 (called “sentiero azzurro”), which begins in Monterosso al Mare and connects all five villages of the Cinque Terre.

As the easternmost village of the Cinque Terre Riomaggiore is the starting point for the Cinque Terre walking tour to Portovenere.

• Footpath Riomaggiore to Portovenere - Cinque Terre walking tour

Riomaggiore train station: return journey by train

If you have walked enough, you can stop the Cinque Terre hiking tour at the train station "stazione Riomaggiore" to take the Cinque Terre train.

So you can reach quick and easy all the villages of the Cinque Terre.

Cinque Terre Hotels

In our opinion one of the most beautiful hotels in the Cinque Terre is the Porto Roca Monterosso which is located directly on the coast and offers a wonderful panoramic terrace overlooking the sea.

From the hotel you can reach Monterosso beach by a short walk.

In front of the Hotel Porto Roca Monterosso passes the blue hiking trail Monterosso Vernazza.

Thus, this hotel is the perfect starting point for a Cinque Terre hiking tour.

Moreover you can find here many other Cinque Terre Hotels selected by us, where the location, service and price will match:

Cinque Terre Hotels

Cinque Terre hiking

Here you can find the most beautiful Cinque Terre hiking trails:

• Monterosso to Vernazza
• Vernazza to Corniglia
• Corniglia to Manarola (via Volastra)
• Manarola to Riomaggiore - Cinque Terre lovers walk "Via dell Amore"