Montenero Sanctuary from Riomaggiore
A stepped mule track climbs through the terraced vineyards above Riomaggiore to the Montenero sanctuary, perched above the sea with a view of the whole coast as far as the Mesco.
- Difficulty
- E Hiking
- Length
- 5 km
- Elevation gain
- +270 m / −270 m
- Time
- 2 hours round trip
- Route
- Out and back
- Altitude
- 52–332 m
- Season
- Spring Summer Autumn Winter
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The story
According to tradition, the sanctuary kept an image of the Madonna brought here by Byzantine refugees in the 8th century; the present church dates from the 14th century and was later altered.
Why go
Because in an hour's climb you look down on the southernmost village of the Cinque Terre and its UNESCO-listed dry-stone walls.
Practical information
- Start
- Riomaggiore, upper part of the village
- Finish
- Sanctuary of Nostra Signora di Montenero, about 340 m; back the same way
- Best time
- All year round, avoiding the hottest hours in summer
- Parking
- A few pay spaces above Riomaggiore: the train is better.
- By public transport
- Train to Riomaggiore.
- Water
- In Riomaggiore and, when open, at the sanctuary's refreshment point.
- Shade
- Little: you climb among terraces and scrub.
- Huts and refreshments
- None: cafés and restaurants in Riomaggiore.
- With children
- Yes, with children used to steps: about 330 metres of climbing on stairs.
Weather at the start
The forecast for the next 7 days at this spot: sky, temperatures, rain and wind.
Forecast by Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), from the models of national weather services. Your browser downloads it directly from Open-Meteo, and only when you ask. In the mountains and at sea the weather changes quickly: check the official forecast as well before you set off.
What to see on the route and nearby
After the hike, into the water
More hikes in Liguria
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- 2★ Camogli–San Fruttuoso via the BatterieEE 10.5 km · +870 m · 5–6 hours · point to point
- 3★ Around Palmaria IslandE 5.9 km · +280 m · 3–4 hours · loop
- 4★ Sentiero del Pellegrino, Varigotti–NoliT 4.9 km · +430 m · 2–2.5 hours · point to point
- 5Punta Manara loopE 4.6 km · +290 m · 2 hours · loop
- 6★ Genoa's historic aqueductE 8.8 km · +620 m · 3–3.5 hours · loop
- 7★ Monte Antola from CaprileE 6.4 km · +590 m · 3 hours · out and back
- 8★ Lago delle Lame loopE 8.2 km · +470 m · 3 hours · loop
- 9★ The Napoleonic Trail in the BeiguaE 5.3 km · +290 m · 2 hours · loop
- 10★ Sentiero degli AlpiniEE 5.7 km · +770 m · 4–5 hours · point to point
- 11From Portofino to San Fruttuoso via Base 0E 4.7 km · +330 m · 2–2.5 hours · point to point
- 12Sant'Antonio del Mesco from MonterossoE 3.6 km · +280 m · 2–2.5 hours round trip · out and back
- 14From Campiglia to Portovenere on the Alta ViaE 4.9 km · +60 m · 2–2.5 hours · point to point
- 15Seaside walk from Levanto to FramuraT 5.9 km · +30 m · 1.5 hours · point to point
- 16The Genoa Forts trail, from Righi to Forte DiamanteE 12.6 km · +470 m · 3.5–4 hours round trip · out and back
Routes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), via Waymarked Trails and BRouter; elevations from a digital terrain model. Times and elevation gains are indicative: waymarks on the ground and closure orders always take precedence.