The world’s most romantic walk: Italy’s Path of Love reopens after more than a decade

Love is in the air as one of Italy’s most famous hiking routes is set to reopen after more than a decade.

Known as the most romantic walk in the world, the Via dell’Amore or ‘Way of Love’ runs between Riomaggiore and Manarola. It closed in 2012 after a landslide injured four tourists and left the trail in need of repairs.

After extensive renovations, the full reopening is scheduled for July 27, 2024. The first section of the hiking route welcomed tourists for a summer preview last year.

What is Via dell’Amore?

The 1 km long route winds through a series of five villages that make up the Cinque Terre UNESCO World Heritage Site. The paved path hugs the coast with stunning views of the landscape and sea.

It was built during the modernization of the railway line between Genoa and La Spezia in the early 20th century. Railway workers needed a way to get from Riomaggiore to Manarola while a tunnel was being built.

The trail was carved into the hard rock that juts out over the sea and, according to legend, it became a meeting point for lovers from both cities.

The restoration project contained rocks above and below the path with steel mesh and planted 8,800 plants to enhance the landscape. A monitoring system was also installed so that advance warnings can be given of any potential landslides.

No more overtourism on Via dell’Amore

Cinque Terre in Liguria is made up of five villages famous for their jewel-toned buildings perched on cliffs above the sea. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is surrounded by a National park and around 2.4 million people visit the site each year to walk, boat or cycle through the picturesque surroundings.

As one of the most famous stretches of the Cinque Terre coastline, the Via dell’Amore is very popular with visitors. The string of seaside villages was fighting against mass tourismlast year introducing fines of up to €275 for visitors who block traffic or pedestrians to take selfies.

Giovanni Toti, president of the Liguria Region, said the Via dell’Amore is a “jewel for our region, not just for those who visit it.”

Liguria hopes to curb overtourism by introducing a reservation system for those wishing to hike the trail.

The number of visitors allowed on the trail at any one time is limited to 400, and hikers must reserve their tickets online or purchase them at the park ticket booth.

O booking site is being updated, but last year tickets cost €5 and included entry to Riomaggiore Castle.

Want to walk a little further around Cinque Terre?

The Via dell’Amore is one of the four sections of the Sentiero Azzuro or ‘Blue Way’. It is one of the most popular hiking trails in the Cinque Terre National Park and connects the five villages.

The Blue Way starts in Riomaggiore and continues to Monterosso al Mare via Manarola, Corniglia and Vernazza. The route is about 12 kilometers long and reaches a maximum altitude of approximately 200 meters in the small village of Vernazza.

You can walk the entire route in about five hours and it is divided into four different sections. The Via dell’Amore is the first section of the route.

Cinque Terre National Park requires visitors to pay a fee to access some trails like this one. Along the route, there are checkpoints for hikers to purchase the Cinque Terre Trekking Card, which allows you to use the facilities within the park. It costs €7.50 for one day and €14.50 for two days.

You can also purchase a card that gives you access to hiking trails and unlimited train travel on the Cinque Terre Express Trains between Levanto, Cinque Terre and La Spezia. It costs €18.20 for one day, €33 for two days and €47 for three days.

Discounts are available for children, seniors and families.