The most beautiful children's bike paths in Liguria

Lovers of two wheels? Then don't miss Liguria's bike paths, which are perfect in all seasons, but especially on those winter or spring days when Liguria can even be ridden in a T-shirt!
Liguria's bicycle paths are by the sea, often on the old train route, and between one tunnel and the next there are magnificent views.
There is also no shortage of rest stops and picnic areas on all routes, allowing children to rest and have a leisurely lunch while bringing a sandwich or cold dish from home. There are also several playgrounds, but especially if we are tired of cycling, you can get off at one of the small beaches and enjoy a break by the sea.

Ponente bike path: from San Lorenzo al Mare to Ospedaletti

Almost on the border with France, a Ponente Ligure bike path starts in San Lorenzo al Mare and ends in Ospedaletti, stopping in the towns of Costarainera, Cipressa, Santo Stefano al mare, Riva Ligure, Arma di Taggia, and Sanremo.The bike path is a full 24 kilometers long.

The bicycle rental service is very well stocked and organized in every town on the route,
There are several rental points that allow you to rent bicycles for a few hours or for the whole day. A variety of types of bicycles are available: in addition to the common walking bicycles, there are also children's bicycles, and those equipped with child seats, electric bicycles or rickshaws.
In addition, one can have bicycles brought to any point on the bike path.

To reach the beginning of the bike path in San Lorenzo al mare there are several possibilities: by car by exiting the highway at Imperia Ovest and continuing on the Aurelia or by public transportation that allows you to get off right near the beginning of the bike path.

The cycle-pedestrian path starts from the area of the ex-railroad in San Lorenzo al Mare, immediately creating an incredible environment between the waves of the sea on one side and unspoiled nature on the other.
The connection between San Lorenzo and Costarainera is through a tunnel, about a kilometer and a half long. This is traversed by a pleasant breeze that blows and cools cyclists on hot summer days. As soon as the tunnel is finished, you come out into an equipped area, with benches and small tables, which, looking out over the sea, offer a crazy view that will leave young and old alike stunned.
Passing totally by the sea, the section toward Cipressa offers many rest areas to catch one's breath or simply lie down for a while on benches to sunbathe. Descending via sea-side steps, one can also enjoy the pleasure of lying on the beach and taking a bath.
Arriving at the village of Santo Stefano al Mare you cross the narrow streets and catch all the beauty of the small town, until you return to pedaling along the Ligurian coast and also skirting the unique marina of Marina degli Aregai. This is the most beautiful area if you want to be able to enjoy the view of both the sea and the Ligurian hinterland. Continuing the ride you will arrive at the old station used as a refreshment point, skirting the brightly colored and very characteristic fishermen's cottages.
The bike path continues to get to Riva Ligure, a town famous for its sea and always mild and warm climate, is very popular with tourists from all over the world. The bike path passes through downtown streets and coastal areas, sometimes passing through more rural and green areas. Precisely because of the town's popularity, many tourists decide to start their trip here, often after stopping for some time at the beach.
Leaving Riva, one arrives in one of the most famous towns in western Liguria, namely Arma di Taggia. Flower cultivation here is a major source of income, and for this reason the town is a set of colors and smells rarely found elsewhere. The bike path stretches along the coastal area, passing through the Annunziata cave, the harbor, and past a Renaissance fortress. In the terminating part of the stage, there are not only refreshment spots but also shopping areas that allow one to rest and then resume the journey to San Remo.
The penultimate stop of the trip is no less than the City of Flowers, Sanremo. Famous everywhere for its events (such as, for example, the Italian Music Festival), it is definitely the most popular destination of the trip.
The bike path, which runs along the entire San Remo coastline, is filled with refreshment places and free beaches, where you can stop for a snack and enjoy the stunning views. Keep pedaling and you will reach the Flower Market Area, which will continue through numerous small tunnels. Once these are concluded, you will come across the most popular local beach area, the Three Bridges.
The bike path ends in Ospedaletti , one of the last Ligurian towns before entering French territory. Having a location between the hills and the sea, this town has a very mild climate and therefore possesses a very rich vegetation.

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Just a stone's throw from Genoa, the Piani di Invrea bike path

In the Rviera di Ponente, just a few kilometers from Genova, the bicycle path of Piani di Invrea connects Arenzano , Cogoleto and Varazze.
The bike path is one of the most easily traveled and attractive on the Ligurian Riviera. Totally flat and away from cars the bicycle path of Piani d'Invrea is perfect for children at their first experience with the bike, but also for a simple walk during the sunny days that Liguria offers in all seasons

The route from Arenzano to Varazze, passing through Cogoleto is about 10 km
Along the entire route there are areas set aside for resting, with benches in both sun and shade. In addition, in all three towns-Arenzano, Cogoleto, and Varazze-there are parks, bars, bakeries, and ice cream parlors.

In both Arenzano and Varazze it is possible to rent bicycles, both for adults and children, even with child seats.
The cost of a daily rental of an adult bike is 10 euros/day (December 2017)

Arenzano - Cogoleto

The bike path starts at the Arenzano marina, from the western end of Arenzano, and arrives at the Cogoleto waterfront, after passing through three well-lit tunnels of lengths of 250, 100, and 600 meters, respectively. The last tunnel, the longest, leads directly to Cogoleto, and from it there is a beautiful view of the sea.
The whole route, about 3 kilometers long, runs along the sea, is completely level on a tiled road.
Upon arriving in Cogoleto, the bike path winds first along the waterfront and then into the innermost parts of the municipality, into the old town.
For those staying on the waterfront, the route for a stretch is no longer cyclable, but only pedestrian, and through a lively area of the waterfront with playgrounds and ice cream parlors.

The bike path between Arenzano and Cogoleto

Cogoleto - Varazze

Continuing westward along the waterfront (about 3 km in total), you come to the second part of the bicycle path between Cogoleto and Varazze.
Past a horizontal bar, which prevents unauthorized vehicles from entering the bike path, the Piani d'Invrea bicycle path begins. The route is really beautiful, close to the sea, between tunnels and small beaches.
The route is paved and totally flat. If the children are tired, you can stop and go down to one of the little beaches to play a little.
After about 4 kilometers, a new bar marks the end of the trail.

This stretch of road is not passable with bikes with baby carriers, because of the bar that closes access to cars
Finally, rememberto bring a camera to photograph the beauty of the place.
Especially in summer, don't forget water, as the bike path is almost entirely in the sun and you may need to rinse your face and cool off.

Piani d'Invrea bicycle path

The Levante bicycle path between Levanto-Bonassola-Framura

Created in the area of the former railway, the bike path from Levanto to Framura via Bonassola is very suitable for children: developing at the gateway to the 5 Terre, it is just over 5 kilometers long (one way) and is totally flat. In fact, it can be traveled by any means: on foot, by bike, scooter or skates.

We could define this bike path as a large balcony overlooking the sea: the ride takes place in tunnels most of the time, cooling cyclists on sultry summer days and granting really striking views of the sea that allow you to take pictures like true professionals. The tunnels also serve as shelter on bad days, protecting young and old from the rain. At several points on the slope you can get out and treat yourself to a dip in the sea made wonderful by the crystal-clear water, with a beautiful green lava stone beach.

On days when there are fewer tourists, you can enjoy a surreal silence, interrupted only by the crashing of the waves on the cliffs; if, on the other hand, the track is crowded, mainly on weekends or in August, you happen to ride in the company of other people, exchanging small talk with the other cyclists or pedestrians who will be present on the street.
Renting a bicycle is not at all expensive: 10 euros for the whole day.

The ease and regularity of the path means that children can safely frolic around the track without us parents losing our enthusiasm while enjoying the spectacle of nature that this bike path offers. In addition, you can easily visit all three villages you pass through, as they are all effectively connected by this track.

It is an absolute must try experience with children, unmissable to entertain them while admiring beautiful landscapes without making them run the slightest danger, even if only for the duration of half a day. To be tried and tried again in all weather conditions, sunshine, rain or stormy sea. A unique spectacle to never tire of!

The Slate Cycleway in the Riviera del Levante

Just a stone's throw from the beaches of the Riviera di Levante, there is a small bicycle path in the wilderness. Much less well known than the seaside bike paths, the slate bikeway moves along the course of the Entella, the river that separates Chiavari from Lavagna.
The ciclovia is 35 kilometers long, but only the first 5 kilometers between Carasca and Lavagna are easily navigable with children.
In this section, the bicycle path is on its own seat, completely separated from the road,,the route is flat, along the river and shady. It does not present any particular difficulties.

Starting from the port of Lavagna, in which there are several ice cream parlors and playgrounds for children,,,you arrive after a few minutes near the mouth of the Entella River, from which the actual bike path begins. The first part (the first 1-2 kilometers) is very busy with runners, kids on bikes, kids with skateboards. Fortunately, the bike path is wide enough, so you can easily pass through it without the need to stop and let other people pass, so you can continue the ride smoothly.

After a couple of kilometers, the bike path is less crowded and we enjoy the spectacle of the flowing Entella River and the beauty of nature. We highly recommend taking some dry bread with you, the river ducks are fond of it and the children love to feed the animals.

Such wild nature, however, sometimes makes it impossible to keep the ground totally well-maintained, so you have to be careful where you put your wheels. Continuing along the trail for three or four kilometers, you will come to the turn that leads to the small town of Carasco. With children, unfortunately, at this point it becomes inadvisable to continue the trip, as, from now on, the road will become increasingly bumpy. In fact, from here begins the dirt track through bamboo forests, in the midst of truly wild nature, that will lead to Coreglia, Orero and Cicagna.

The bike paths of Sestri Levante

A great many towns in Liguria have beautiful bicycle paths. Of all the towns, certainly Sestri Levante has made an effort over the years to build an efficient network of bicycle paths that allow people to move freely between the beaches and the beautiful playgrounds that are inland.

For children on their first rides, the bike path along the sea is perfect for learning. The bike path is about a mile long, and connects the end of the Sant'Anna tunnels to the beginning of the city's port.
The track runs very close to the beach, is asphalt, very wide and totally flat, making it rideable several times without ever tiring even for children. Moreover, winding right by the sea, you can stop whenever you want to sunbathe, read the newspaper or make sandcastles with the children. There are also many shaded areas with stone benches when you don't want to go to the beach.
To refresh yourself with a good ice cream or an icy slush of fresh fruit, there are plenty of little bars, cafes and ice cream parlors on the other side of the road. In fact, legend has it that wherever you take your eyes, in Sestri you will always see an ice cream parlor ready to welcome you.

Within Sesti Levante, there is another long bike path that starts in the center of Sestri Levante and leads to Casarza by staying almost entirely on the bike path (it is a little over 5 kilometers of bike path). The only section to be on the road is on the state highway after riding about a kilometer of bike path. After riding 250 meters of normal road, one must turn right towards a small park that marks the restart of the bike path that will lead directly to the destination.
Here in detail the map of the Sestri Levante bicycle paths

Where to sleep in Liguria with children

Liguria offers several options for sleeping with children: hotels, campsites, residences or villages. Here is a list of family-friendly accomodations in Liguria from which to find what you want.

Also read if you are interested in bike paths for children

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