Hiking around Cinque Terre is for sure THE major attraction in the area. Walking paths are literally everywhere but finding them it is not that straight forward as it might seem. In this case, you are reaching Riomaggiore by car there is an easy and nice walking track from the Strada Provinciale Cinque Terre. Simply park the car along the car park at coordinates 44.10210336570574, 9.743113807166992, just add them to google maps. Then keep walking another 100 meters direction Manarola. On the left you will find a paths that lead to Riomaggiore.
Besides the stunning pastel color buildings, Riomaggiore offers its visitors a wide variety of hiking trails. Walking is the best way to get to know this vibrant village in Cinque Terre, and why not do so by taking one of the exciting hiking trails to explore the surroundings? In this concise but complete guide, we put together what you should know about the most stunning trails in Riomaggiore. So, are you ready to learn all about them and plan your visit accordingly?
Walkings of Riomaggiore: The Ring
The Ring is a circular trail (that starts and ends in Riomaggiore) that
won’t take too much effort but will be worth the time spent walking. The route only takes about 1 hour and a half for a distance of slightly over two miles. The path is mainly flat, meaning that you won’t have to worry about steep tracts and can instead focus on the view. The trail starts at the main parking lot of the village, from where all you have to do is follow the main road up. In less than one hour, you’ll get to the Sanctuary, the main attraction of the route. Inside this ancient (and rich in history) church, you can admire the frescos in the ceiling. About 10 minutes from the church, you’ll get to Montenero, which will offer your a breathtaking view of the coast. After taking your pictures and admiring the panorama, you’ll get to Riomaggiore in about 20 minutes. The descent is easy, but there are many steps: take it with patience, and don’t forget to look at the stunning views surrounding you!
Riomaggiore Trail to Monterosso al Mare
The track from Riomaggiore to Manarola (also called the Lover’s Lane, Via dell’Amore in Italian) is part of a longer trail that connects the village to Monterosso al Mare. This section is only about 1 mile long and will probably take you around 30 minutes to cover. However, both that and the trail connecting Manarola to Corniglia are currently closed due to a landslide and will reopen only in 2024.
The longer track takes about 5 hours in total without counting the time you’d spend exploring each town you reach. The views are spectacular and worth the effort of walking 7 miles. However, if you want to take it slow, don’t worry. You can divide the route into smaller parts and take one trail at a time.
To take part in this hike, you’ll have to purchase a ticket, which you can buy at the station or tourist points. If you plan to travel by train and hop on a hike wherever possible, we recommend purchasing the Cinque Terre Treno Card. Select the combination that suits you better to have a couple of days of trekking and unlimited train trips.
Since Via dell’ Amore is currently closed, you have two options to get to Manarola from Riomaggiore: you can either take the train or hike a more difficult path that includes stone stairs and steep climbs. Breathtaking views of the vineyards and the coastline will reward your efforts.
Riomaggiore to Portovenere: The Longest
If you like a good sweat with stunning views, you’ll fall in love with the trail connecting Riomaggiore to Portovenere. This route will let you explore villages without ever leaving sight of the sea. The beauty of the views you’ll get to admire during this trail will enchant you. However, you’ll have to be ready for a 6-hour walk to complete the eight-miles track. For the length of the route, we recommend you take it during the spring or autumn to avoid the hot temperatures of the summer months. The trail is not particularly difficult but is quite long. The good news is that you can take time to rest in the villages through which it passes.
The trail starts from Riomaggiore’s station and goes through the panoramic track of the Sanctuary. Passing through forests, villages, and vineyards, you’ll get to Campiglia, from which you’ll be able to admire a stunning view of the gulf and the Palmaria island. From there, the trail keeps unrolling through the mountains of the regions until reaching the Muzzerone, where you’ll get to see one of the most beautiful views of the coast. The trail ends at Portovenere, where you’ll be able to take a good rest or keep visiting the village (if you have enough energy left).
As you can see, there are trails for all difficulty levels and preferences around Riomaggiore. If you want to get a real sense of the village and get the chance to explore the surroundings on your own while enjoying stunning views, you recommend you choose the trail that best suits your time constraints or your expertise. Have fun!