“La Via dell’Amore” (“Way of love” or “Love’s path”) From Riomaggiore to Manarola: path number 2 (The Blue Path) – Trip time: 25/30 minutes.
The promenade which links Riomaggiore to Manarola, the socalled “Via dell’Amore” (“Way of love” or “Love’s path”), is very evocative because it is sunken in the rocks falling sheer to the sea. This path is already known and indicated as “The Blue Path”.
Leaving the railway station of Riomaggiore, you will arrive at a small square. Turning right, you will see a tunnel which leads you towards the village's center, the port and the beach; turning left you find the stairs which go up to the famous ”Via dell'Amore”.
The “Via dell’Amore” that in 20 minutes of fantastic walk leads from Riomaggiore to Manarola. It was carved into the rock in 1926 – 1928 following the acrobatic path of the quarrymen who built the railway from La Spezia to Genova.
For a short section the “Via dell’Amore” acts as roof for the railway which runs inside the tunnel.
Its panoramic large windows face an interesting botanic garden.
At both of its ends, there are welcoming and information points of the national park and along its course the tourists can find restoration in the suggestive “Love’s bar” which is literally projected over the cliff.
In the Welcoming Centres one can buy the tickets which authorize the entrance to the whole Path n. 2, the use of the ecologycal little buses of the Park and the lifts.
At the end of the “Via dell'Amore”, going downstairs, you will arrive at the railway station of Manarola
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From Manarola to Corniglia: (Path n. 2)
From the railway station of Manarola, path n.2 runs in a tunnel as far as the village and it turns left going down to seashore.
The path follows Birolli promenade, under the equipped area of Bonfiglio Point (which can be crossed too) grazes the small call of Paledo and rises to the old track n. 1 in the lakes basin (35 meters).
The path was mostly carved into the rock. It is called “of the sea-trasparences” as an homage to the painter Giuseppe Arigliano, who was ispirated by the sea depths where the small path is reflected.
From the point where the new and the old n. 1 meet, the track grows milder, becoming a flat path which dominates for its whole length Corniglia’s long beach.
Then it approaches the railway station and rise to the village through a flight of steps.
It is a easy way, to cross the heap of stones which moves continually, over the beach was necessary to suspend a “Tibetan” bridge held by steel cables to avoid the possible fall of stones.
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From Corniglia to Vernazza: Path n. 2
At Corniglia (90 meters a.s.l.) Path n. 2 passes among the houses, near the close-knit historical centre. It passes in front of the Parish Church of St. Peter, crosses the carriage road, overcomes the small bridge over Rio della Groppa and then winds inside an olive grove up to discover Guvano beach.
Then it crosses the whole basin of Guvano, where a small pic-nic resort was set and then it climbs to reach Prevo nucleus (208 a.s.l.) just half way between Corniglia and Vernazza.
At Prevo there is a restoration point. When you have left the charming nucleus of Prevo, path n. 2 crosses thick olive groves, at first on a flat ground and then descending the flight of steps which drives to the craggy coast of Macereto where there are plenty of agaves and Indian figs .
Path n. 2 comes near the Restaurant/Bar The Tower grazes the tower itself and reaches Vernazza main street.
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From Vernazza to Monterosso: Path n.2 (about 2 hours)
The path n.2 enters into the centre of the Village of Vernazza, crosses the main street and then comes up the built up area through an ancient alley which overlooks the parish church of St. Mary of Antiochia.
There are spectacular views at the beginning of the path when it leaves the small beach of Vernazza.
It goes very steep in the coast covered with vineyards and olive groves. It runs through Riolo valley and Mezzorano Coast.
Then the hikes goes between the sky and the sea.
You reach Corone Point, a rocky just under the Porto Rocca Hotel which delimitate Monterosso bay on the eastern side. Ati this point the path enters the ancient part of the village near the Tower Palace.
