Sella La Croce

Trail 501, formerly trail no. 1, is one of the most demanding routes starting from Riomaggiore: a historic mule track connecting the village to Sella La Croce, on the watershed between the Cinque Terre and the Val di Vara.

It is a short but very steep itinerary, directly from the coast towards the inland area and crossing different environments: from cultivated terraces to chestnut and pine woods, all the way up to the ridge.

The route begins near Riomaggiore Castle and follows a steady uphill path, initially among vineyards and vegetable gardens along Costa Campione. After crossing Provincial Road 370, known as the Litoranea, the trail continues into the woods, where the landscape gradually becomes more natural and less shaped by human presence.

Along the route, you can find elements linked to local tradition, such as votive shrines – including the so-called Maduneta di Palermi – and remains of the original mule track, now partly modified.

The trail ends at Sella La Croce, at around 637 metres above sea level, an important hiking junction where several routes meet, including the Alta Via delle Cinque Terre.

This is one of the most direct access routes to the higher hiking network of the Cinque Terre, but for this reason it requires good physical preparation. The trail is characterised by a continuous and sustained climb, with no flat sections. It is one of the most direct ways to reach the ridge above Riomaggiore and offers beautiful views over the coastline, especially in the first section.