Hike from Manarola to Riomaggiore (Via Beccara), Cinque Terre, Italy

by - 9/26/2017

Manarola and Riomaggiore are the two most frequented towns of Cinque Terre. The reason is very simple. Manarola is the nearest town from La Spezia. Just a five minute train ride. And if you want a taste of hike, the easiest hike was present between Riomaggiore and Manarola. Supposedly the hike is so smooth and easy that a baby stoller could also be taken along the path. Its called Via del amore meaning the Lover's Lane. However the devastating flood of 2011 destroyed this trail. It is still under restoration and would open in 2017 end. However you can enjoy for a little part and you have to buy tickets for the trail.
Trip Expert Award Badge 2017

I nominate fellow blogger Manoj to write for the Tripscam Trip Expert Awards 2017. He could see the rules here.

 Now it was our second and last day in Cinque Terre. We started the opposite way; visited Monterosso first (the previous day) and left the two accessible villages for the end. Also we had plans of hiking from Manarola to Riomaggiore. Now since the Lover's Lane was closed, there was another hiking trail which was notorious. It was called the Via Beccara. Via Beccara dates back to 1600s and was the only connection between these two villages before the Lovers Lane was built in the 1920's. It is supposedly for expert excursionists.
So after our sumptuous lunch in Manarola, we left for the hike. We literally gobbled down our food so that we did not become late. We had heard it was a tough trek and would take time; though the distance was not so much. It was already six in the evening and I was sad. I wanted to reach Riomaggiore in daylight but it seemed distant. We started asking people for directions for the trail. Half of the locals said it was closed (thinking it to be the Lover's Lane). Then I specifically started asking for Via Beccara. Some of them laughed at our audacity; some tried to warn us from its inaccessibility.
We were discouraged a bit but had to hike. After walking quite a lot, we spotted a flight of never ending stairs. They should not be called stairs even. They were rocky steps; full of loose rocks and dust. Welcome to Via Beccara.

We climbed and climbed; climbed and climbed. The steep ascent never seemed to stop. The only good thing was that we were surrounded by grapevines all over and the Ligurian Sea offered refreshing views. The entire surroundings were vineyards. All of the vines bore grapes. Out of curiosity and tiredness, we tasted a handful. I promise we did not touch more :D 
It was around 1.2 kms in total but halfway steep climb and then halfway steep descent. The so called stairs (broken rocks) literally drained all our energy. All the people we met were panting. Everyone was dead tired but the views kept us going on. After about 45 minutes of steep climbing we reached the level land. We realised that now the descent would start.
The descent was not too simple either. It was so steep that it was a real challenge for our knees to stop us from falling down. I was wearing loafers; most of the hikers had pointed out my choice of wrong footwear 😁
Finally as we started seeing glimpses of the village of Riomaggiore, our energy levels started increasing. The Via Beccara had been the only path of communication between these two villages for 250 years before the Lover's lane was constructed. We finished the trail in 1.5 hours.
It was dusk when we reached Riomaggiore. I was sad as there was no natural light. But we had made it finally.

 Riomaggiore at night...The fisherman's wharf.


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14 comments

  1. So beautiful its this location in Italy and how you both take the moment and embrace what it has to offer admirable.

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  3. This trail looks amazing, so beautiful! Have to visit Italy someday :)

    XO, Jessi
    http://www.mywhitet.com/pom-poms-tassels/

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  4. Great pictures and beautiful location
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  5. This looks gorgeous! serene

    Thank you for your wonderful comment in my previous post :)

    Maybe you have time to check out my new post Sherlock Holmes

    Love
    Akanksha

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  6. Hi sweetheart!
    Amazing photos and location! You look great as always
    Wish you a great day
    Kiss
    Maggie Dallospedale
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  7. Beautiful landscapes and pictures.

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  8. Wasn't it nice that you could replenish yourselves with grapes while hiking !

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