Seal your Love with a Padlock at Via dell’Amore:
Via dell’Amore – Cinque Terre
Via dell’Amore is Cinque Terre’s most famous walk and one that most visitors to Cinque Terre are capable of doing.
Apart from some steps up to the trail, it’s an easy 25 minutes walk on flat, paved walkway that stretches for some 850 metres. You would of course want to allow more time than 25 minutes to enjoy the magnificent views and take snaps.
Cinque Terre Walks
Via dell’Amore is the easiest section of the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail) which takes walkers from Riomaggiore to Monterosso.
Its romantic history attracts many people to this walk and at times it feels like a pedestrian superhighway, especially when you come across groups of visitors who are on day trips to Cinque Terre.
You can approach the trail from Riomaggiore or the Manarola entrance. There are many signs pointing to the walk entrance so you can’t miss it. We wanted to work our way from south to north of the Cinque Terre so we started from Riomaggiore.
Via dell’Amore forms part of the Cinque Terre walking trails which are managed by the Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre. You have to pay an entrance fee to walk the trail and there are Control Points at both ends of the path where you’ll be asked to produce your ticket. If you’ve bought a Cinque Terre Card, it covers the entrance to Via dell’Amore.
Along the trail there are benches where you can sit and enjoy the splendid views. Bar dell’Amore is a small café on the trail where you can get something to eat and drink whilst enjoying the fantastic views. On a fine day, it’s easy to want to sit up here the whole day.
Via dell’Amore – Padlocks of Love
Via dell’Amore’s Famous Padlocks
One of the interesting things that you’ll see along the trail are padlocks attached to wire mesh under the tunnel near the Manarola side. Young loves wanting to seal their love forever, come to Via dell’Amore, write their names on the padlocks and attach them on a wire mesh along the trail. If you feel inclined to do this but forget to bring your lock, don’t panic, you can buy one from the hardware store next to Bar Centrale in Riomaggiore. Some might think that the locks thrash up the area, but hey, this is all part of the romantic history of Cinque Terre’s lovers’ lane.
Note: Unfortunately Via dell’Amore was damaged during the massive September 2011 landslide and as of March 24, 2016, the pathway is still closed – see Craig’s comment below..
And it’s still closed in June 2018!.
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Johnpaul says
May 6, 2014 at 3:47 amHi Helen,
Have you been to Cinque Terre recently? is the pathway of love open?
I would appreciate any advice.
Thanks
Jp
Helen Page says
May 6, 2014 at 8:20 pmHi Johnpaul,
The Parco Nationale delle Cinque Terre suspended on-line sale of the Cinque Terre cards after the September 2011 landslide. Their latest announcement of October 2012 advised that card sales will only be resumed once the walks have been repaired and are safe again. So far there is no indication of this happening. It appears that there is more than just the landslide that’s delaying the opening of the path.
http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/news_dett.asp?id_prodotto=2896&id_lingue=2
I’ve also looked at a few Tripadvisor reviews and the comments seem to indicate that Via dell’Amore is not likely to be opened this year.
http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g187817-i997-k7226799-When_does_the_via_dell_amore_reopen-Cinque_Terre_Italian_Riviera_Liguria.html
I’m sorry not to have any positive news for the time being about the Via dell’Amore. The villages have done a good job of repairing themselves so it’s still worthwhile going there.
Kind regards,
Helen
Mark says
August 15, 2015 at 3:46 amIt was not open as of August 4th, 2105.
(We were able to crawl through one spot and climb over another to make the walk. But I would NOT make a general suggestion to use the walk right now.)
Helen Page says
August 15, 2015 at 11:38 pmThanks Mark for your update.
Kind regards,
Helen
Bob says
June 16, 2014 at 1:16 amPlan to be in Riomaggiore in late Sept,2014 and would like any updates if the hiking trail via d’amore reopens
Helen Page says
June 16, 2014 at 4:35 amHi Bob, please see response to Jeanpaul above. It’s unlikely that the Via Dell’amour will be re-opened this year.
Sorry for the bad news.
Kind regards,
Helen
Craig says
March 26, 2016 at 11:06 pmWas just there on Thursday (3/24/16) and the Via Dell’amore was still closed. As was the other from Manarolla to Corniglia.
Helen Page says
March 27, 2016 at 12:24 amThanks Craig for your update on Via Dell’Amore.
Kind regards,
Helen
CathieP says
April 7, 2016 at 8:54 amCraig, Was there any indication of when Via Dell’Amore might be reopened?
Helen Page says
April 16, 2016 at 6:25 pmCathie, I’ve emailed the Parks people, but they didn’t reply. The problem with Via della’Amore is that the whole trail area was deemed unsafe after the floods. Until they can get funding to repair the trail, it will remain closed.
Regards,
Helen
JC says
April 14, 2016 at 3:05 pmCraig,
Are there still places to place a lock? Going there with my soon to be fiance and placing a lock was going to be a big part of our trip. Any feedback would be helpful, thanks!
Helen Page says
April 16, 2016 at 6:34 pmJC,
If you can manage a side trip to Verona, you’ll be able to seal your love with your fiance on Juliet’s balcony. In front of the giftshop there’s a place where you can place your lock.
https://www.travelsignposts.com/Italy/sightseeing/romeo-and-juliet-verona
Regards,
Helen
Raja says
December 23, 2016 at 1:05 amPlanning to go Cinque terre on 24th. Do you know whether the pathway of love open? Is It safe to walk with 2year old baby? Actually Via dell’Amore connect Manarola and Riomaggiore..right? Is the entrance near railway station?How long the walk take?
Thanks
Raja
Helen Page says
December 23, 2016 at 8:44 amAs of March 2016, the Via dell’Amore was still closed and there was no information of when it was likely to be repaired. Please check with the National parks people for the latest update. The site also has information on which paths are open.
http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/
Regards,
Helen Page