The Riviera dei Fiori cycle path is a 24-kilometre route along the sea, completely flat, from Ospedaletti to San Lorenzo al Mare. It runs along the route of the old coastal railway, away from cars: you can ride it, walk it, run it or skate it, and it is suitable for children too.
The first access point is at Ospedaletti, about ten minutes from Bordighera.
From railway to cycle path
For more than a century, from 1872, the trains of the Genoa–Ventimiglia line ran here, just a few metres from the waves. In 2001 the railway was moved further inland, into a tunnel, and the old single track was turned into a cycle and pedestrian path: the first sections opened in the late 2000s and in 2014, with the opening of the Capo Nero tunnel between Sanremo and Ospedaletti, the path was completed. Today it is managed by AMAIE Energia for the Parco Costiero della Riviera dei Fiori.
The route
Ospedaletti and the Capo Nero tunnel
From Ospedaletti the path immediately enters the Capo Nero tunnel, about 1.7 kilometres long and lit, with panels dedicated to Milan–San Remo, the classic cycle race that finishes right here. Out of the tunnel you ride right along the water’s edge to Sanremo.
Sanremo
The path crosses the town along the sea: with a short detour you reach Corso Imperatrice and the Pigna, the Russian church and the Casino.
Bussana, Arma di Taggia and Riva Ligure
Heading east you pass below Bussana, where there is an equipped sports area and from where you can climb up to Bussana Vecchia, the artists’ village. Then the path goes through the centres of Arma di Taggia and Riva Ligure, among beaches and seafront promenades.
Santo Stefano al Mare and San Lorenzo al Mare
At Santo Stefano al Mare is the MURR, the museum devoted to the wreck of a Roman ship found at sea. After a couple of tunnels you reach San Lorenzo al Mare, with its colourful fishermen’s houses. From here a link leads to the Imperia cycle path, and in 2026 the seafront sections between Diano Marina and Andora were opened too.
Tips for your visit
- How long you need: allow a day by bike for the whole route, there and back. A good shorter ride is Ospedaletti–Sanremo, with the Capo Nero tunnel.
- Getting there: by car to Ospedaletti (about 6 km). By bike from Bordighera there is no protected route: the stretch to Ospedaletti is on the Aurelia, in traffic. Alternatively you can take the train with your bike to Sanremo; on regional trains in Liguria bikes travel free, but always check Trenitalia’s conditions before you set off.
- Hire: along the route there are bike hire shops, including e-bikes, and service points.
- Stops: several former stations have become bars and bike cafés, and there are drinking fountains and plenty of beach access points.
- Watch out for pedestrians: the path is shared with walkers and runners; at weekends and in summer it is very busy, so ride slowly, especially through the towns.
- Accessibility: the route is flat and has access points suitable for people with disabilities too.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Riviera dei Fiori cycle path?
The Parco Costiero route is 24 km long, from Ospedaletti to San Lorenzo al Mare. From San Lorenzo you can continue towards Imperia.
Can you get there by bike from Bordighera?
Yes, but the roughly 6 km to Ospedaletti are on the Via Aurelia, in traffic. If you prefer to avoid them, you can drive to Ospedaletti or take the train with your bike to Sanremo.
Can you take your bike on the train?
Yes, on regional trains marked with the bike symbol. In Liguria carrying a bike is free, but conditions may change: check the Trenitalia website.
Is the cycle path suitable for children?
Yes: it is flat and separated from traffic. Just take care at the crossings in the towns and look out for pedestrians.
