Paths

(Easy, slightly difficult, hardest)

Cinqueterre are crossed by three routes:

1)The blue route, or seaside-route, that leaving from Riomaggiore goes to Manarola and is called Via dell’amore (Lovers’ path), and therefore reaches Corniglia, here called Sentiero delle trasparenze marine (Sea transparencies path). Reaching the railway station in Corniglia, the path goes up, far from the village and then goes down to Vernazza, climbing up again to Monterosso.

2) The second route is called Via dei Santuari (Sanctuaries path); it runs over 300 metres from the sea level; a long way it runs parallel to the main road. Starting from the Our Lady of Montenero’s sanctuary, over Riomaggiore, it reaches the Our Lady of Safety’s sanctuary in Volastra and therefore, down to Corniglia it crosses the blue route (point 1).

3) The third is called Sentiero del crinale (Ridge path), the most difficult, that goes from Portovenere to Levanto, crossing all the Cinqueterre territory and high more than 700 metres on the sea level.

- La Via dell’amore (Lovers’ path)
- Il sentiero delle trasparenze Marine (Sea transparencies path)
- La via dei Santuari (Sanctuaries path)
- Corniglia
- Il sentiero di Crinale (Ridge path)
- Manarola

 

La Via Dell'Amore:
an evocative name, maybe unique, as all is unique in this area. The name comes from the tradition, in Riomaggiore, for the young and not wealthy couples to have honeymoon along this path. Now young people go to other places but come back to this old route. It goes from the railway station of Riomaggiore to the railway station of Manarola, less than 30 metres high from the sea level, for more than one kilometre, almost flat. You can cover it, either in 15 minutes or in two hours, according to the companionship or to the interest for the landscape shown by your fellows.

Il sentiero delle trasparenze Marine:
Once come to the Manarola sea shore, the path goes to Corniglia, firstly to the Palaedo harbour, thereafter being renamed "Sea transparencies path" (the name refers to the works made by a remarkable painter, Arigliano), it crosses – after a few metres – the old path that rises to the cemetery and goes to the sea-side and the railway station of Corniglia. At the junction, you can also decide to come back to Manarola, following the path to the church (where a rack-railway going to Volastra should possibly be built).

La via dei Santuari:
From Volastra, it is possible to walk along a large flat path bringing to Montenero, and therefore going down – through the mule-track and the vineyards – to Riomaggiore. Along the Lovers’ Path, it is possible to come back to Manarola and thereafter to Volastra. It is a path that is more compelling than the previous ones, expecially for its length. However, if you decide to walk quietly, you could find it approachable.

Corniglia:
Along the path that goes, from the square in front of the Volastra church, towards Corniglia, you walk in an evocative environment made by terraces of vineyards and then, bypassing Porciana, penetrate into the Mediterranean bush. Crossing a mule-track, you can go down to Corniglia. Behind the parish church, dedicated to St. Peter the Apostle, you cross the sea-shore path; you could therefore make a choice: either coming back to Manarola, down to the ardarina (that is, a long staircase to the Corniglia railway station) or going to Vernazza and Monterosso (the train will bring you back to Manarola). It is a difficult path, particularly if you walk along to Monterosso, but – when completed – it is also the finest one.

Manarola:
Now, in half an hour time, it is possible to go down the 365 steps between the two villages, starting from Volastra, between two houses in front of a small fountain in the main alley of the village. In the past, the paths to Manarola used to be four, but the other three routes cannot be covered because the wood has grown too fast. Same destiny for the path bringing to the lakes and upon the seashore of Corniglia. Another path, starting from the archades in the medium alley (the narrowest one in the centre of the old village) used to bring to Groppo, where – before reaching it – it was possible to drink at a Roman fountain. All these paths, as many others in the Cinqueterre – are in the bad conditions. As they are extremely beautiful and valued, it is hoped that – through the constitution of the National Park – these paths can be restored and, even if partly, be used again.