Beginning in San Lorenzo al Mare and ending in Ospedaletti, the pista ciclabile (bike path) is an easy and scenic, traffic-free 24 km cycle path running along the Italian Riviera in western Liguria just north of Genoa, Italy. While in the area this past September, I had the opportunity to cycle it. Now let me start by saying that I haven’t been on a bike in years but it’s quite a flat and easy route. Developed on what was once an old railway line running from Genoa to Ventimiglia the San Remo bike track passes through six small villages on its route. There are bike rental places at the start of the path and at most of the other villages along the route. However, if you are staying in the area and plan on cycling the Riviera bike track, some of the hotels have bikes that they offer free to guests, as mine did.
Since I was staying in San Remo which is about 6 km from one end of the path, I did the San Remo to Ospedaletti portion in the morning before taking a break for lunch and heading off in the other direction to San Lorenzo al Mare in the afternoon. Altogether the ride took me approximately 5-6 hours for the total 48 km there and back including a 30-minute break in San Lorenzo al Mare. However next time I would definitely take more time and stop in to explore the little villages that I missed or take a refreshing swim at one of the beautiful beaches along the way.
The genius of the path is that it’s traffic-free with two lanes (one in each direction) for bikes and a separate lane for pedestrians. There are also plenty of spots along the route where there are benches to rest and enjoy the scenery.
Why You’ll Love This Bike Path
- It’s totally car-free and accessible to pedestrians and cyclists in both directions.
- It’s free to use.
- It has beautiful views! The path follows an old railway line directly along the Mediterranean Sea.
- It’s one of the longest car-free paths in Europe.
- It passes through a couple of small villages and beaches so you can stop anytime and rest or grab a meal.
First Leg
The first leg of the cycle path leaves from San Lorenzo al Mare heading towards Santo Stefano al Mare and passes by the two small villages of Costarainera and Cipressa which are not directly on the path. If you want to visit these villages you will have to leave the path. The first leg is an easy ride with one tunnel approximately 1.5 km in length. It goes straight along the sea so stopping at one of the beaches for a swim is easy.
Second Leg
The second leg of the path goes from Santo Stefano al Mare to Riva Ligure and is also an easy ride directly along the sea. It’s possible to access the village of Santo Stefano through a small bridge that crosses the bike path and leads into the heart of the village.
Third Leg
In Riva Ligure, the path cuts right through the village making it easy to visit this charming town. Here many parts of the coastline were once inaccessible due to the old railway line but now thanks to the bike path it’s easily accessible. Leaving Riva Ligure the path runs directly alongside the promenade with its many beaches and restaurants where you can grab a bite and a swim before continuing on towards the village of Arma di Taggia.
Fourth Leg
This leg runs directly through Arma di Taggia which is the seaside portion of the city of Taggia. At the time of writing this, there was a slight re-route by the Arma di Taggia railway station, where an underground parking lot is being built. The construction is expected to last for at least a year however the route is clearly marked and easy to navigate (update; construction should be finished now). As the path runs directly through the village it’s a great place to stop and check out the village shops and restaurants as well as the beach area.
Leaving Arma the trail cuts off from the main road and runs smoothly alongside fields. After Arma di Taggia the stretch of the path heading towards San Remo is flat & easy and passes through the resort area of Bussana where there are two resting points to relax and enjoy the views. There are three small tunnels on this stretch before you arrive in San Remo.
Fifth Leg
The final leg stretches from San Remo to Ospedaletti and is flat and smooth with no difficulties. As the path runs directly through the city of San Remo it’s advised that cyclists and pedestrians be extra cautious as traffic crosses the path at a couple of points. After passing the old railway station the path runs along the beautiful promenade of “Corso Imperatrice”(route of the empress) by the sea. Just before arriving in Ospedaletti is the Capo Nero tunnel which is the longest of all the tunnels on the path totaling almost 1.7 km.
The tunnel has been turned into a memorial to Sanremo’s most famous sporting event, the cycling classic Milan-Sanremo, and overhead there are lighted signs marked with race facts as well as phrases and tweets that mark famous moments of the race.
After leaving the tunnel the path starts to follow the sea again with its beautiful views and beaches and heads directly into the village of Ospedaletti where there are restaurants and shops.
At the outer edge of the village, the end of the bike path is indicated by the two steel balls secured in the path where it turns into a road.
If you’re thinking of doing the pista ciclabile (and I recommend you do) I’ve included some helpful tips below.
How Long Is The Path?
The official bike path is 24 km each way so if you’re doing a return trip be prepared to bike for 48 km.
There are future plans to extend the path to Andara and currently, there is another path extending from San Lorenzo al Mare to Diana Marina but at this time it’s not officially part of the pista ciclabile
How Long Does It Take?
Depending on how fast you cycle, each way will take you approximately 1.5 – 2.5 hours without stopping so it can easily be done in a day. However, I encourage you to take your time and enjoy the opportunity to visit a few of the villages along the route as well as build in time for lunch or gelato while enjoying the views. The entire return trip took me about 5-6 hours of leisurely biking with numerous stops en route to take pictures as well as a 30-minute stop for a cold drink in San Lorenzo Al Mare before heading back.
How Hard Is the Ride?
As it’s built on an old railway line most of the path is quite flat and easy however there is a slight incline in one stretch. It’s not a big incline. Basically, it’s just slight enough that you know your thighs are working. Remember I said I hadn’t been on a bike in years and I did the whole path and back again with no problem.
What Should I Pack?
If you’re cycling the path during the summer months be warned that most of the route is in direct sun with no shelter other than the tunnels, the longest of which is approximately 1.7 km. You will want to make sure you bring sunscreen and water with you for the ride. There are a few water fountains along the route where you can refill if needed. The day I did the ride it was almost 30 Celsius. I was extremely glad for the few tunnels and a chance to cool off. A hat would also be helpful and perhaps a jacket or sweater if you plan on heading back later in the day. And, of course, you want to make sure you bring your camera to capture the extraordinary views.
Where Can I Rent A Bike?
There are bike rental kiosks at both ends of the path in San Lorenzo al Mare and Ospedaletti as well as at most of the small villages the path crosses through. They are easy to find and in fact, in most villages, you will find the rental kiosks or gazebos almost directly on the track. They offer numerous rental options for your trip with everything from classical bikes to bikes with mechanical support or if you’re not up for cycling, you can even hire a rickshaw.
Where Is The Best Place To Stay?
San Remo is the largest town directly on the bike path and it’s where I chose to stay as it’s one of the only towns in the area with a train station. It has lots of options for accommodation including both hotels and private rentals like Airbnb. San Remo also has great restaurants and shopping for those days you’re not biking. There are also lots of options for other types of entertainment including the famous Ariston Theater as well as a casino. Being a seaside town there are also some great beach clubs. However, as San Remo is a resort town often frequented by the wealthy there are a lot of yacht clubs and the beaches are interspersed between them.
The other towns or villages along the path are smaller and don’t have train stations so are harder to get to if you aren’t traveling by car. They also have more limited options for accommodation. If you want to stay at the start or finish of the path your options are Ospedaletti or San Lorenzo Al Mare.
Ospedaletti being a bit larger will have a few more options for accommodation and restaurants.
However, personally, I find San Lorenzo Al Mare an extremely charming village with some very picturesque beaches.
Leave A Comment
If you like this post I would be so grateful if you left a comment! Comments help other people find my posts so they can enjoy them too. Thanks! I appreciate your support!
If you want to try the San Remo Bike Track you can get more information as well as a map on the Pista Ciclabile website. If you try it (or have already done it) please drop me a line below and let me know how you enjoyed it.
If you’re looking for more destinations close to the bike path check out my Guide To Nice, France.
What a beautiful place! I want to ride a bike in an area like this.
Looks like such an amazing bike path, so much to see here
such a beautiful place to bike! i know there are a few bike paths locally as well so need to look for them for my hubby
This looks like a wonderful place for a bike ride. It is nice to know that this is available. What a great spot to check out.
I love how warm it looks here! San Remo has such lovely views!
Oh wow, it goes through a tunnel. This path is like a bike lovers dream.
I need to be there! I can imagine the joy of cycling along the Mediterranean Sea, passing through charming villages, and taking in the beautiful views.
I wish that we had bike paths like this here. We have some but they are throughout neighborhoods mostly. Then we have a huge one called Trinity Trails in Fort Worth, Texas. But I wish I could see this one in person.
This would be a fun bike ride. Looking at the water while riding would be awesome.
Oh wow, what a beautiful bike path! I haven’t ridden a bike in years but if I had the chance to ride on that path I would.
What a beautiful bike path! I would love to ride around here. I love Italy.
This is so beautiful! I love the idea of traveling here to enjoy the bike path. You shared all I think I’d need to know about the San Remo Bike Path!
Thank you for this articles – it is extremely helpful! I am always looking for info on cycle friendly cities / places in Italy.
Thank Janine! I’m happy you found it useful. Please let me know if you visit the cycle path.
Thank you for the write up. It was a great help in preparing for the bike ride with my husband and two young boys. We all had a great time.
I’m so glad that you found it helpful Laure! It’s a great experience.
Hi, great article on a little known area of Italy, often overlooked by the english speaking traveller. I have owned a small place in in the area for nearly 20 years and have been able to introduce may friends to the region. The bike path is often a highlight. Thank you!
Thanks Craig! It is a beautiful area. You are fortunate to have a place there! Up until 2 years ago I travelled to the area at least once a year, often twice and have a few friends there. I can’t wait to visit again. Hopefully soon! And thanks for the link to my article on your website! I appreciate it!