Overview
The Cinque Terre are synonymous with crystal-clear waters, wild landscapes and perched villages with pastel-coloured houses. But that’s not all. There is a little-known path that runs along this stretch of the Riviera di Levante, which is just as impressive as the famous Sentiero Azzurro. The Sanctuaries Route hugs the coastline and connects the five sanctuaries from the five villages in this area, covering 22 kilometre in around 7 hours.
You will start from the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montenero in Riomaggiore. From the square, you can gaze over the entire Gulf of the Cinque Terre. From here, walk towards the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Health in Manarola, immersed in an area producing some of the Riviera’s finest oils and wines. Move on to the Sanctuary of San Bernardino in Corniglia, believed to be the scene of a “miraculous” restoration of a painting of the Virgin. A scenic, paved path will lead you to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Reggio in Vernazza, and then on to the last stop on your route: the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Soviore in Monterosso, the oldest in the whole of Liguria. From the Middle Ages to the present day, it has always been an important shelter for passing pilgrims.
