Romance has returned to one coastline in Italy after news that its famed walking route is set to reopen after more than ten years.
Dubbed the most romantic walk in the world, the Via dell’Amore (Path of Love) runs along the Cinque Terre cliffside.
The trail was closed in 2012 following a landslide that injured four tourists and damaged the path.
The route has undergone major restorations and will officially reopen in July 2024. Part of the walk is currently welcoming hikers for a preview period until September 30.
Here’s what you need to know about walking the Path of Love.
Italy’s Path of Love is a hiking route that meanders between the villages of Riomaggiore and Manarola, two of the five that make up the Cinque Terre UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The paved path is just over 1 kilometer long and skirts the coastline with spectacular views of the sea.
The route was built at the start of the 20th century for railway workers to walk between Riomaggiore and Manarola while a new railway tunnel was under construction.
The path earned its romantic moniker after it became known as a place where lovers from the two towns would meet.
Extensive restorations have focused on securing the rocks above and below the footpath with steel netting and adding over 8,000 plants to strengthen the hillside.
There is also now a monitoring system in place that will send out alerts before any potential landslides.
The restoration project has not just been about repairing the walking route but also bringing in measures to protect it.
Cinque Terre, with its five rainbow-colored villages, swarms with tourists in summer and the crowds have become unmanageable at points.
Authorities in the region are determined not to let the newly opened footpath become a victim of overtourism again.
Giovanni Toti, president of the Liguria Region, said that the Path of Love is a “jewel for our region, not just for those who visit.”
As such, a booking system has been introduced for visiting hoping to walk the route. This is being trialed until September 30.
If you want to walk the Via dell’Amore, you can book a 30-minute group tour online costing €5 ($5.44). There are around 20 slots a day between 9 am and 7 pm with 30 people in each group.
The entrance fee to the Castle of Riomaggiore is also included in the ticket price.
If the trial proves successful, it will be continued next year when the entire route officially opens.
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