Recently updated on September 1st, 2022 at 03:05 pm
Italy’s Cinque Terre is a spot that needs little introduction. Probably one of the most photographed locations in the entire country, the image of colourfully painted houses tumbling down the mountainside into the shimmering Ligurian Sea, is a sight most of us hope to see at least once in our lifetimes.
For many who visit the Cinque Terre, one of the most popular activities to do here is hiking. There are over 120 kilometres worth of trails in the area, plus plenty of paths that connect one village to the next. Hiking is undoubtedly one of the best ways to really appreciate the incredible scenery and nature on offer, not to mention a chance to escape the crowds who descend on the 5 villages of the region over the summer months.
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One of the Cinque Terre’s most popular trails – Lovers’ Lane – has been closed for 7 years, after 4 tourists were injured in a landslide in 2012 whilst walking on the route. But that’s all about to change. Last month, it was announced by Giovanni Toti, the Governor of Liguria, that this much loved trail is now set to re-open to the public.
Connecting the villages of Riomaggiore and Manarola, Lovers’ Lane is a short but beautiful 1-kilometre trail that rewards those who walk it with spectacular views. The trail was named for the lovers who used to meet along it for romantic trysts, and fittingly there is also a sculpture of two lovers along the route, where many stop to take photos (and likely also a little romantic moment of their own).
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So when can we add this exciting date to our diaries? Not just yet, unfortunately. Since the path closed 7 years ago, the Cinque Terre National Park has been busy fundraising an impressive 12 million Euros, which will be used for renovations and new safety implementations. These renovations have not yet started, with the local government predicting the trail will not reopen until around 2023.
In the mean time, there are still plenty of trails to help you explore the Cinque Terre. Popular options include the blue path, which runs along the sea and through the villages, or the red path that starts in Portovenere and climbs up along the mountain ridge to Levanto.
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Have you hiked in the Cinque Terre? Let us know your tips and advice in the comments below…