Reopening of the Via dell’Amore in Cinque Terre

The Via dell’Amore in the Cinque Terre reopens, the scenic cliffside trail between Riomaggiore and Manarola.

After 12 years of closure and significant safety improvements, one of the most scenic sections of the Cinque Terre—the Via dell’Amore, finally reopens to the public. The closure was necessary due to a landslide that affected the trail in September 2012.

The Liguria Region, the Cinque Terre Park, and the towns of Riomaggiore and Manarola announced the reopening of the Via dell’Amore with an exceptional celebration on July 26th.

The opening procedures

The reopening of this treasure, after years of closure and its securing, will proceed with the following arrangements:

From July 27 to Thursday, August 8, 2024, the Via dell’Amore will be open to the public exclusively for residents of the Cinque Terre, Levanto, La Spezia, and for former residents and second-home owners of the Municipality of Riomaggiore and their immediate families. Opening hours will be from 7:00 AM to 1:00 AM.
Starting Friday, August 9, 2024, access to the Via dell’Amore will also be available to tourists (by reservation only and for a fee) with the presence of guides. Access will be limited to a maximum of 400 people per hour, divided into groups of 100 people every 15 minutes (at 00, 15, 30, and 45 minutes past the hour). Tourist entry will be exclusively from Riomaggiore towards Manarola, with a one-way route.

Visiting Hours:

From November 1 to March 31: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM)
From April 1 to October 31: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM (last entry at 6:30 PM)

For all info: https://www.comune.riomaggiore.sp.it

The pathway

In a region rich with trails dedicated to lovers, the Via dell’Amore stands out for its spectacular scenery. Built during the expansion of the railway tunnel on the La Spezia-Genova line between the Riomaggiore and Manarola stations starting in 1920, the seaside path began to be used as a connection between the two villages, as the alternative was a strenuous route over the hills. However, it soon also became a popular spot for romantic walks due to its stunning views. In the 1960s, the town of Riomaggiore installed a series of benches dedicated to mythical deities of love and to poets who have celebrated this noble sentiment. In 1997, UNESCO included the Cinque Terre on the World Heritage List as a ‘cultural landscape’.

Included in the Cinque Terre National Park, the Via dell’Amore trail is simple yet capable of delivering great emotions: just over 900 metres of cliffside path carved into the rock, only a half-hour from the Manarola station. It’s a perfect trail for a hand-in-hand stroll with the endless horizon ahead. To regulate visitor flow and manage trail maintenance, the Via dell’Amore will be accessible by reservation.