Italy’s famous ‘Path of Love’ in the Cinque Terre region has recently reopened after being closed for over a decade due to a landslide that injured four foreigners. The one-kilometre walking trail, known as the most romantic walk in the world, can now be enjoyed by locals from 8 am to 7 pm, with tourists able to book one-hour time slots for 15 euros in August. The path, connecting Riomaggiore to Manarola, offers stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and colourful architectural delights, making it a popular destination for visitors.
The Via dell’Amore, as it is known, is a 1 km-long route winding around the five villages of the Cinque Terre UNESCO World Heritage Site. Constructed at the beginning of the 20th century to provide a passage between Riomaggiore and Manarola for railroad workers, the pathway was carved out of the hard rock face overhanging the sea. Legends say that it became a meeting point for lovers from the two towns. Extensive repairs and restoration costing 22 million euros have been carried out to reinforce the landscape and install a monitoring system to prevent future landslides.
The Cinque Terre region, known for its picturesque villages set into the cliffs above the sea, receives around 2.4 million visitors annually, leading to concerns about overtourism. To address this issue, fines of up to €275 were introduced for visitors causing congestion by lingering for selfies. The reopening of the Via dell’Amore offers travellers a chance to enjoy the beauty of the region without overcrowding, with the president of the Liguria Region stating that the path is a “jewel for our region, not just for those who visit”.
The Via dell’Amore is part of the Sentiero Azzuro, or ‘Blue Path’, a popular hiking trail that connects the five villages of Cinque Terre National Park. Starting from Riomaggiore, the Blue Path winds its way to Monterosso al Mare through Manarola, Corniglia, and Vernazza, covering a distance of approximately 12 kilometres with a maximum altitude of 200 metres in Vernazza. The trail can be completed in about five hours and is divided into four sections, with the Via dell’Amore serving as the initial segment of the route, offering travellers a scenic walking experience through the coastal landscape.
