What to see
The paved route forms one of the four segments of the Sentiero Azzurro (the Blue Path), which ranks as the most popular hiking trail in the national park. The walk follows the rock face directly above the water, cutting through the rugged coastal terrain. The trail's affectionate name has a strictly practical origin: before its construction, the mountainous geography kept the two towns somewhat isolated. The new path provided the young people of Riomaggiore and Manarola with an easy, private meeting place away from their respective settlements.
Visiting
The entire kilometer is now open to both residents and tourists, marking the end of a twelve-year closure. On September 24, 2012, a rockslide injured four visitors, causing the immediate shutdown of the route. For several years, only a 200-meter stretch was accessible, having reopened in April 2015. Extensive repairs and geological securing of the cliffside were announced in late 2019, leading to the full restoration of one of the area's most important tourist attractions.
Our editors' tip
Because the Via dell'Amore is an integral section of the Blue Path, walkers can easily incorporate this kilometer-long stretch into a longer hike exploring the other three segments of the trail.
