The road climbs straight out of Vernazza towards the terraces around Volastra, where dry-stone walls hold narrow strips of vineyard above the sea. The route crosses the slopes above Manarola and Riomaggiore before descending to La Spezia and turning inland. Beyond Aulla, the long climb through Lunigiana begins. Fivizzano sits on the hillside, followed by the imposing stone castle of Verrucola beside the road. Woodland thickens as the bends gain height towards the Passo del Cerreto, crossing into Emilia-Romagna at over 1,200 metres. The descent follows the upper Secchia valley, but another rise remains before Cervarezza. In roughly 101 kilometres, the landscape changes from coastal vineyards to Apennine forest on the tour’s most demanding day of climbing.
