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Momterosso, Madonna di Soviore & Vernazza
Walk 6149

Country - Italy

Region - Ligurian Coast (including Cinque Terre)

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 11.0 km / 6.9 miles

Ascent - 625 metres / 2063 feet

Time - 5.00 hours

Grade - moderate

Photo from the walk - Momterosso, Madonna di Soviore & Vernazza
Click image to visit gallery image.

This linear route between the Cinque Terre villages of Monterosso and Vernazza takes you uphill high above the Ligurian Coast and avoids the busy coastal path. To return to Monterosso you can either take the boat or train.

Start from the Piazza Garibaldi by the old part of the village. Walk inland on Via Roma to reach a small roundabout. Bear right onto a road for a short way turning left almost immediately onto a path marked '9 Sentiero Soviore'. Ascend the steps, passing a shrine going right where the sign points to 'Soviore'. The onward route continues through woodland and after 500 metres turn left onto a cobbles path signed to 'Soviore'.

Continue uphill to a road, which you cross to re-join the path. The path continues through woodland with the landscape becoming rockier as you climb. Passing a small shrine and a chapel you soon reach Santuario della Madonna di Soviore.

There is a very pleasant terrace here with a small bar offering refreshments. After resting pass to the right of the church and continue through the grounds of the sanctuary, past a villa to reach a tarmac lane that climbs to reach the main road.

Turn right along this road and walk for just under a kilometre as far as a road junction signed 'Vernazza - San Bernardino'. At this junction take path '1' towards 'Cigoletto-Telegrafo-Porto Venere'. The undulating path is quite narrow and has the benefit of regular waymarks. Reaching a junction of paths, ignore the path right to Chiesetta Santa Croce and continue ahead along path 1.

Reaching a lane, turn right towards Vernazza, following the lane down to a T-junction. Turn left and continue to descend for 100 metres. Turn sharp right towards Vernazza. Follow this minor road to about half a kilometre before turning left on a path signed 'Madonna di Reggio - Vernazza'. Continue down this path to reach a road above the next sanctuary.

Turn left and then sharp right onto the entrance lane leading to the sanctuary (waymarked Vernazza - 8). At two stone pillars bear right to continue to the Santuario della Madonna di Reggio. Return to the pillar and take the track downhill towards Vernazza. Passing a house on your left the old walled mule trail descends towards the coast. Reaching a small cemetery continue to descend on what is now a modern concrete track. Reaching a sharp bend at the bottom, go right through an arch following the waymark 'Senterio per Monterosso'. Descend the steps between houses to reach Via S.Francesco. Turn left and descend into the village of Vernazza.

You now have two options either walk back along the coast path (see walk 6144) or take the train.

Suggested Maps

- Kompass - Sheet 644 - Cinque Terre - scale 1:50000

 

Stay Safe

Do enjoy yourself when out walking and choose a route that is within your capabilities especially with regard to navigation.

Do turn back if the weather deteriorates especially in winter or when visibility is poor.

Do wear the right clothing for the anticipated weather conditions. If the weather is likely to change for the worse make sure you have enough extra clothing in your pack.

Do tell someone where you are planning to walk especially in areas that see few other walkers.

Do take maps and other navigational aids. Do not rely on mobile devices in areas where reception is poor. Take spare batteries especially in cold weather.

Do check the weather forecast before leaving. The Met Office has a number of forecasts for walkers that identify specific weather risks.

Please Note - These walks have been published for use by site visitors on the understanding that Walking Britain is not held responsible for the safety or well being of those following the routes as described. It is worth reiterating the point that you should embark on a walk with the correct maps preferably at 1:25000 scale. This will enable any difficulties with route finding to be assessed and corrective action taken if necessary.

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