SP370 Cinque Terre: La
Spezia - Manorolo s(u)
When I approached this area, I was really anxious
about the traffic, because south of here, along
the coast, traffic was hell. But once you are out
of La Spezia this is a fantastic bike ride, not
just because of the scenery, but also because of
the traffic, or its bearability anyway. Continuing
further north it just gets getter. The other
section of the Cinque Terre road ( Sp51 Cinque
Terre: Manorolo - Monterosso a Mare ) has
even fewer cars.
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1.(20m,km00.0)
START-END EAST: western corner of La
Spezia harbour front
2.(300m,6.8km) summit tunnel entrance
3.(300m,7.9km) summit tunnel exit
4.(260m,10.0km) jct with spur to
Riomaggiore
5.(140m,14.3km) profile turns off terrace
road, down to Manarolo
6.(20m,15.6km) Manarolo west side, the
last part is a footpath wit stairs
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 Approaches
From South. This side
doesn't really have to do much with Cinque Terre,
except that the name figures prominently on the
road signs. But there is more to do than just
anticipate the other side. The views of the
regular grid pattern streets of La Spezia, neatly
laid out around its harbor are an extra bonus. The
large bathtub of a cruise ship, parked in
the middle of this scene, looks like some gigantic
intrusion from outer space. There are several
variations of this view, which just keeps getting
better as the road climbs. The road reaches a high
point at the entrance to a 300 meter high tunnel.
It is pretty well lit, depending on how many lamps
are broken - often many.
From North. (described downwards) After
emerging from the tunnel, there is a map of the
Cinque Terre area next to the road, and an ocean
behind the sign, but not much else happening. But
then after the first turn, bikers, mechanical and
motorized alike, seem to just have to stop at the
first guard rail, that offers a view of
Riomagiore. Ocean cliff views follow. Below you
can make out the railroad burrowing through the
mountain like a marching parade of prarie dogs.
The terrace road reaches a low point at the
turnoff to Manorola, and the profile descends to
the village
A dayride with this point as
intermediate summit is on page: Sp51 Cinque
Terre: Manorolo - Monterosso a Mare
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