Hiking trails and tours in Cinque Terre, Riomaggiore | Oasi Eco Boutique Hotel in Levanto

A walk to the Shrine of Madonna di Montenero in Riomaggiore

September 17, 2026

Riomaggiore is easily reached from Levanto by train, about twenty minutes, less with a faster regional service. Once there, a short climb above the village leads to one of the widest views on this entire coast, and it's completely free.

Riomaggiore

Riomaggiore is a "vertical village," built along the main street that covers the Rivus Maior stream, the source of the village's name. Its colourful houses, stairways, vaulted passages and painted facades are worth a slow look on their own. As in the other Cinque Terre villages, houses here traditionally have two entrances, one at the front and one further up the hill at the back, originally an escape route in case of Saracen raids, which were a real concern here through the 16th century.

Three churches are worth a visit in the village: Santa Maria Assunta, Sant'Antonio Abate and San Rocco. Higher up, the Church of San Giovanni Battista, built in 1340 on a basilica plan, has a striking mix of pillar styles and a beautiful 15th-century rose window.

Getting to the Shrine of Montenero

You don't need the Cinque Terre Card for this walk, the trail itself is free.

Right in front of San Giovanni Battista, you'll find the ATC bus stop connecting Riomaggiore to its surrounding hamlets, including a stop close to the shrine, useful if you'd rather save your legs for the way back. A single ticket costs around €1.50, or it's included free if you're holding a Cinque Terre Card, though you wouldn't need the card just for this.

From the bus stop, a ten-minute climb through vineyard terraces brings you to the shrine's terrace. Walking the whole way up from the village instead takes closer to 45 minutes, a proper uphill stretch but a manageable one.

The view, and the shrine

At 340 metres above sea level, the view is genuinely breathtaking: the whole sweep of Liguria, from the Maritime Alps to the islands of Gorgona and Capraia, and on a clear day, Corsica looking surprisingly close.

The Church of Madonna di Montenero was built around the 11th century to house an image of the Madonna that villagers had buried a century earlier to protect it from barbarian raids. According to local legend, a spring appeared on the spot where the image was later dug back up.

Walking back down

From the church's front porch, the path known as "Verde Azzurro SVA" (formerly path no. 3a) descends towards the village through stairways with sweeping sea views, stretches of paved road and sections of the old mule track, reaching Riomaggiore's historic centre in a little over half an hour.

In Riomaggiore

Back in the village, it's worth browsing the small shops working copper and local minerals along the main street, and if you're after something to eat, look for the little frying shop on the sea-facing side of the street, run by local fishermen, serving fresh fried anchovies made to order. Taking your paper cone down to the Marina and eating it on a wall overlooking the water, ideally around sunset, is one of the simplest good ways to end the day here.

Good to know before you go

Trail conditions can change with weather and maintenance work, so it's worth checking the current status with the Cinque Terre National Park before setting off. We recommend good footwear for the climb, and our packing guide covers what to bring on a hike like this one. If you're planning to combine this walk with the coastal trails, our guide to the Cinque Terre Card explains exactly when you do and don't need it.

For more route recommendations from someone who walks these trails regularly, see Silvia's Cinque Terre hiking tips.

FAQ

Do I need the Cinque Terre Card for this walk?
No. The trail to the Shrine of Madonna di Montenero is free. The only reason you might use the Cinque Terre Card is for the ATC bus partway up, and even then, a single ticket costs only around €1.50.

How long does the walk take?
About 45 minutes on foot from the village to the shrine, or 10 minutes from the ATC bus stop if you take the bus partway. The descent via the Verde Azzurro SVA path back to Riomaggiore's centre takes a little over half an hour.

What's the view like from the shrine?
At 340 metres above sea level, you get sweeping views across Liguria, from the Maritime Alps to the islands of Gorgona and Capraia, and Corsica on clear days.

Where's a good place to eat in Riomaggiore afterwards?
A small, locally run frying shop on the sea-facing side of the main street serves fresh fried anchovies to order, a good excuse to walk down to the Marina and eat by the water.