Walking in Italy highlights & map
With international prowess in Ferraris, fashion and food, Italy hides its luscious landscapes under a bushel. Because let’s not forget, Italy also does opera, and its walking holidays are up there on the world stage. Tuscany and Umbria are luxuriously legato, hiking along the Amalfi Coast is like one beautiful aria after another, and the drammatico impact of the Dolomites is one you will never forget.
Once you have discovered our Italy walking holiday highlights, you will see why people go back for encore after encore.
Once you have discovered our Italy walking holiday highlights, you will see why people go back for encore after encore.
1.
Amalfi Coast walking, Italy
2. Bergamo walking, Italy
3. Cinque Terre National Park walking, Italy
4. Colli Euganei walking, Italy
5. Dolomites walking, Italy
6. Italian Alps walking, Italy
7. Lake Como walking, Italy
8. Mont Blanc walking, Italy
9. Sardinia walking, Italy
10. Sicily walking, Italy
11. Tuscany walking, Italy
12. Umbria walking, Italy
2. Bergamo walking, Italy
3. Cinque Terre National Park walking, Italy
4. Colli Euganei walking, Italy
5. Dolomites walking, Italy
6. Italian Alps walking, Italy
7. Lake Como walking, Italy
8. Mont Blanc walking, Italy
9. Sardinia walking, Italy
10. Sicily walking, Italy
11. Tuscany walking, Italy
12. Umbria walking, Italy
Amalfi Coast walking, Italy
1. Amalfi Coast walking, Italy
A 50km stretch of coastline dominating Italy’s Sorrentine peninsula. It is glamorous and chic, but just step metres off the red carpet to discover a world of orchid- filled meadows, ancient lemon groves, tiny fishing villages and remote shepherds’ paths. Which is why hiking is the best way to discover it. From the Path of the Gods to the island of Capri, Amalfi is just stupidly beautiful.
Bergamo walking, Italy
2. Bergamo walking, Italy
The hillwalking in this lesser known northern region, around valleys dipping to the River Po, is just exquisite. It’s not too challenging walking wise or travel wise, as you hit the hills just 10 mins from Bergamo airport. Walk up to heights of 1,150m following the ancient Via Mercatorum trade route, through rich woodland, sporadic villages and rolling farmland. Agriturismo accommodation abounds.
Cinque Terre National Park walking, Italy
3. Cinque Terre National Park walking, Italy
A coastal gem that is up there with Amalfi but not as well known internationally. Although Italians have it sussed in summer, so it gets crowded. With five (cinque) clifftop villages, hiking its coastal “Via dell'Amore” allows you dip in and out of coves. There are also trails into the rocky foothills of the Ligurian Maritime Alps. The Spezia-Levanto rail line that follows the coast is great way to get around.
Colli Euganei walking, Italy
4. Colli Euganei walking, Italy
Sometimes referred to as Venetia, this stunning hillwalking territory is just 40 mins by train from Venice. A panoply of conical hills, this quirky scenery was once an archipelago of volcanic islands. Walk through eclectic ecosystems from oak and maple woodland, orchid and poppy filled meadows to burgeoning vineyards and orchards. Medieval villages, castles and towns delight, such as Este, with Venetian canals et al.
Dolomites walking, Italy
5. Dolomites walking, Italy
There are higher, remoter and more pyrotechnic ranges but few rival the sheer beauty of the jagged rose-tinted Dolomites – peaks that dazzle poets and hikers alike. Several national parks highlight stunning wilderness, alpine meadows and bucolic valleys dotted by wooden houses and vineyards. And feel the vibrant cultural mix of Italy and Austria in charming Bolzano and Merano.
Italian Alps walking, Italy
6. Italian Alps walking, Italy
“High life” in the Italian Alps often refers to chic as much to altitude, thanks to A-list ski resorts like Courmayeur. But the area is a walker’s wonderland too. Take cable cars up to the high mountain regions in Orobie Bergamasche Park, overlooking the two Italian Alpine peaks of Monte Legnone and Pizzo Tre Signori, trek down valleys such as Valbiandino, and along ridges leading to glacially gorgeous lakes.
Lake Como walking, Italy
7. Lake Como walking, Italy
A family walking favourite with the drama of the Alps as a background, but without the extremities. Take on the sub-Alpine peaks of the Triangolo Lariano, or aim for the region’s highest at San Primo enjoying rural ‘Rifugi’ mountain inns for rambles that are replete. And bask in luxurious lakeside towns such as Bellagio or the city of Como itself, with its walled centre, dramatic duomo and people watching on lakeside passeggiata.
Mont Blanc walking, Italy
8. Mont Blanc walking, Italy
Mont Blanc is a tripartite triumph of nature, shared between Italy, France and Switzerland. The highest peak in Western Europe, it has seven main valleys feeding off it inviting some of the world’s finest hiking. It’s covered in snow and ice year round so, although ascent trips are available, most people hike the Tour de Mont Blanc, a 170km lower level circuit, the Italian gateway being Courmayeur.
Sardinia walking, Italy
9. Sardinia walking, Italy
Famous for its beaches, with one at the end of many a hike, this is also one of Europe’s wildest walking islands. Base yourself in one of its maritime mountain mecca’s small hotels, and explore ancient mule trails up to the likes of Monte Tului, or routes such as the Gorroppu Gorge , with river pools to dip into en route. Ancient culture such as Bronze Age ruins and cave villages abound too.
Sicily walking, Italy
10. Sicily walking, Italy
Sicily has its own independent, slow, sumptuous ways and hiking here fits perfectly with that vibe. Walk through Moorish villages such as Scopello, or along the salt plains of Nubia, to gorgeous places like the historic port of Marsala. Inland hike through lemon and groves and vineyards. The ultimate experience here is trekking the volcanoes of the Aeolian archipelago, or snowshoe on Mt. Etna in winter. Fire and ice.
Tuscany walking, Italy
11. Tuscany walking, Italy
Forget the rolling hills of Tuscan period dramas; enter the drama unfolding between the Alpi Apuane and Apennine mountain ranges: a summit seeker’s delight. In Orechiella Park, walk up mule trails through ancient villages to Pania di Corfino summit. Or trek high in the Alpi Apuane all the way to the imposing face of Monte Sumbra. For less challenging, enjoy the "Enchanted Forest" of Garfagnana.
Umbria walking, Italy
12. Umbria walking, Italy
Umbria has the charms of Tuscany minus the throngs. Wine and olive country drapes hills rising to the snow-dusted Apennines and descending to the Adriatic. Often called the Green Heart, you can hike remote Etruscan paths and ancient Roman roads that lead to medieval towns such as Montefalco. Brilliant nature getaways await in Sibillini Mountains NP, famous for truffles and pork.
Amalfi Coast walking holiday, Italy
Walk in lemon groves and hillside villages
From
£1599 to £2349
8 days
inc UK flights
Snowshoeing holiday in the Dolomites
Michelin recommended cuisine & inspiring walks
From
£2049 to £2499
8 days
inc UK flights
Puglia small group tour, Italy
Puglia, whitewashed towns, traditional farmland and fine cuisine
From
£2045 to £2495
8 days
inc UK flights
Tuscany tours, walking and wine tasting in Italy
Walking and wine tasting in Tuscany
From
£2075 to £2385
8 days
inc UK flights
Prosecco Hills walking holiday, Italy
The Prosecco Road, Italy’s oldest wine route
From
£1929 to £2349
8 days
inc UK flights
Sicily walking holiday, Sicilian Volcanoes
Discover Mt Etna and the beautiful volcanic achipelago
From
£1859
8 days
inc UK flights
Travel Team
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Walking in Italy highlights
Melanie McAnaw from our supplier Headwater discusses the timeless appeal of the Ligurian coast:
“I have to pick out hiking in Liguria and especially on the Cinque Terre – the five pastel coloured villages that tumble down the hillside to the sea. This area arguably offers some of the best coastal walking in the country. I will never forget walking through cultivated vine terraces, with sea views galore, down to Corniglia, one of the Cinque Terre. And of course finishing the walk with a fragrant bowl of tasty pesto trofie – the local pasta accompanied by the Ligurian world famous sauce.”
“I have to pick out hiking in Liguria and especially on the Cinque Terre – the five pastel coloured villages that tumble down the hillside to the sea. This area arguably offers some of the best coastal walking in the country. I will never forget walking through cultivated vine terraces, with sea views galore, down to Corniglia, one of the Cinque Terre. And of course finishing the walk with a fragrant bowl of tasty pesto trofie – the local pasta accompanied by the Ligurian world famous sauce.”
More Italy walking articles
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These coastal walking holidays are romantic, rugged, classy and classic.
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Walking is a fantastic way to discover the distinct and vibrant culture of Sicily, especially its food and wine.
There’s a reason why walking holidays in Tuscany are the next best thing to mozzarella, basil and tomatoes.
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We’ve asked our tour ops to give us their expert tips to help you travel safely.
Read on before you walk the walk, for how to get the most out of your trip.
