2012-2023, Western Liguria, various locations. Almost thirty kilometers of seafront accessible on foot and by ecological cycle vehicles. It’s the itinerary of Cycling Riviera cycle-pedestrian path, resulting from the historical Ferrovia del Ponente reconversion.
Historical note
Built in the mid-nineteenth century, for the Genoa-Ventimiglia coastal railway it over time became necessary to double the original single track, therefore the forced transfer of the railway line from the coast to the immediate hinterland.
Itinerary development over time. A route’s video shot.
In place of the spectacular old railway, there is now the panoramic cycle-pedestrian path of inline Riviera dei Fiori Coastal Park, but the itinerary preserves the unchanged vintage infrastructure, including the original, renovated tunnels.
As it unfolds, entirely created for safe pedestrian and road use, the new work tends to enhance the territories crossed for residents and promote them for tourism, also highlighting their identity and cultural resources.
When it opened in 2001, it was 21 kilometers long, from the fishing village of San Lorenzo al Mare to Sanremo. Since 2014, the route has been extended by another 3 in the direction of Ventimiglia, up to Ospedaletti Ligure.
In the following video, starting from the latter municipality in the direction of Genoa, the 24 kilometers of this second version of the itinerary are crossed by bicycle, for a real travel time of one hour and twenty minutes.
In 2023, the cycle route, resulting from a further extension in the direction of Genoa, i.e. from San Lorenzo al Mare to Porto Maurizio in Imperia, reached 29 kilometers in total length.
Receptivity
Between sea, nature, medieval villages and old stations now refreshment points, in each of the municipalities crossed by the itinerary there are accommodation facilities of various types, categories and thematic vocation of the stay.
Climate and atmosphere
The crossed locations are classified among those with the best climate in Italy, thanks to the constant proximity to the sea and the simultaneous isolation offered by the hill and mountain systems immediately behind the coast.
Together with the absolute ban on motorized traffic due to the status of a protected area, this allows you to carry out wellness activities in the open air and gives to the entire itinerary an atmosphere of peace, silence and relax.
Free body
Two uninterrupted and distinct lanes, one pedestrian and one cycling, are very useful for taking walking, brisk walking, running and movement in general as the main theme of a stay, regardless of its duration.
The rest areas can be used for core stability exercises, step ups and muscle strengthening, while you are in an ideal oxygenated condition for breathing, warming up, cool down and stretching.
Freewheeling
On inline skates, with segways, rickshaws and handbikes, pedal vehicles operated with the arms by those with mobility difficulties, cycle-aerobic activities can easily be carried out at all ages and different levels.
Here cycling can be a hobby, a sport or simply a way to tone body and mind while reaching the area and the surrounding services, in total well-being.
Nutrition and movement
Inline motoric activities can take advantage of the milestone signals, to keep note of travel times and energy balance in relation to the travelled distances, as a basis for metabolism and nutrition care.
Being in the midst of the rich Mediterranean vegetation, it is natural to focus on the locally of good basic foods and on the Mediterranean food style advantages, which has always been a reference point for balanced and sporting nutrition.
Conclusions
The extreme western position, with sunsets after nine pm on the days of the June solstice, determines a day and a summer atmosphere that last longer than in any other longitude of the Italian peninsula.
Even with a favorable climate in all seasons, in the summer periods of intense holiday crowds you will appreciate the possibility of isolating yourself from the local comings and goings by easily accessing the itinerary from one of its countless gates.
But you also feel good in the tourist quiet of late autumn and winter, especially if you intend to dedicate yourself more to the specificities of the places that the route connects, in a more intimate and meditative general atmosphere.
Ultimately, due to the fortunate combination of the good climate and the other factors listed, there is no ‘best time’ of the year to reach Cycling Riviera, one of the most interesting eco-tourism and cycle-tourism destinations in Europe.