The Italian Alps, the Apennines which run down the middle of the nation, and the Dolomites in the northeast make up the three major mountain ranges of Italy.
If you are planning to travel across the Italian countryside, you will most likely come across one of these Italian mountain ranges. Why not include them in your itinerary?
Let’s start by getting to know the major mountain ranges of Italy in detail.
The 3 Major Mountain Ranges in Italy
Almost 40% of Italy is mountainous. The Alps serve as the northern boundary while the Apennine Mountains form the peninsular country’s physical backbone.
Technically, the Dolomite Mountains are part of the Alps, but locals in Italy’s northeast call them the Dolomites and not the Alps, so let’s stick to that.
Now here are the major mountain ranges in Italy.
Mountain Ranges of Italy: The Italian Alps
These mountains stretch from Friuli-Venezia Giulia in the north to the Veneto and Lombardy regions in the south. The Monte Bianco and the Matterhorn are two of the most popular attractions in the Italian Alps.
One of the most famous mountain ranges in Italy, the Italian Alps are home to some of Europe’s top ski resorts like Sestriere, Madonna di Campiglio, and Breuil-Cervinia.
There is no doubt that the Italian Alps are beautiful in the winter, but they are also a hotspot for summer visitors looking to take advantage of the fresh air and numerous lakes that dot the mountainside. Some of these make up Italy’s most beautiful lakes, so they’re worth a stop and a dip.
The Alps of Italy are divided into three distinct sections.
Mountains in the first group include Mount Viso at 3,841 feet and the Gran Paradiso at 3,845 feet; they are located in the Western Alps and span from Aosta to the Cadibona Pass (4,061). All of the tallest mountains in Italy may be found within this group of mountains.
The Brenner Pass, which connects Austria and the Trentino Alto Adige area, is located in the Central Alps. Also included in this group are high peaks like Monte Bianco (Mont Blanc), which has a height of 4,807 meters just across the border in France, Monte Cervino (Matterhorn), which has a top of 4,478 meters, and Mount Ortles, which has a summit of 3,905 meters.
Part of the Dolomites and the 3,343-meter-high Monte Marmolada are located in the Eastern Alps, which stretch from the Brenner Pass to Trieste in an east-west direction.
The Italian Alps foothills, which climb no higher than 2,500 meters, are located between these massive ranges and the Po Valley.
Best Things To Do in the Italian Alps
1. Trekking
The Italian Alps’ most popular mountains are Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn. Trekkers flock to these Italian mountains for the stunning vistas of the glaciers and surrounding landscapes. Even beginners can do self-guided treks since the trails are signposted; however, a guide is highly recommended.
If you want to avoid the crowds and have a better chance of seeing wildlife, visit in the spring or fall.
Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn are great options if you want to experience the Alps but without the regular crowds of the Swiss or French Alps.
2. Skiing
In the Aosta Valley (or Valle d’Aosta) in Italy’s northwest, the peaks of the Aosta Mountains are covered in snow, as are the medieval castles and fortifications of the region.
Skiers flock to the area because of its high altitude. The Italian Alps’ Valle d’Aosta, albeit not as popular as Chamonix in France or Aspen in the United States, does have some of the best slopes.
The Valle d’Aosta ski resort of Courmayeur has some of the nicest slopes and views in all of the Valle d’Aosta.
Cervinia Valtournenche, a 90-mile-long ski resort, is another fantastic skiing option.
ALSO READ: Valle d’Aosta vs Trentino-Alto Adige: Where To Go for Holidays With Children
3. Wine tasting
The Trento Valley is well-known for its wine culture as well as its picturesque scenery and world-class ski resorts. People who love wine and want to learn more about it can find plenty of vineyards and wine-related activities to enjoy here.
Wine tasting at Trento Valley is a great getaway from the slopes. Pair your wine with some of the best cheese or charcuterie on the market. And with the pastel colors and sun-kissed courtyards in the area, you’ll get to relax as you enjoy the wine and take in the views.
Mountain Ranges of Italy: The Apennines
Many people refer to the Apennines as “the spine of Italy.” An extensive mountain range extending from the Cadibona Pass to the tip of Calabria and on to Sicily, the Apennines run along the Italian peninsula.
The snow-capped peaks of the Apennines contrast with the lush alpine lowlands. While the area is home to bears and wolves, there are also numerous hilltop communities with breathtaking views to be seen.
Ski resorts can be found in Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise, three districts in the Apennines that are less well-known for their recreational opportunities. From one country to the next, they extend across the Messina Strait and even into Sicily.
East of the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Seas, meanwhile, the mountain system creates an arc. Though predominantly green, the Apennines’ sole glacier, the Calderone, covers a small portion of the tallest summit, Corno Grande, which has been slowly eroding since 1794.
Italian mountains are mostly dry in the south. Western Italy is dominated by the foothills of the eastern slopes, which lead to the Adriatic Sea.
Sandstone and limestone marl (clay) dominate the northern Apennines, followed by limestone and dolomite (magnesium limestone) in the middle, and limestone, weathered rock, and Hercynian granite in the south. All three types of rock dominate the Apennines.
Between the center mass and the two, much lower masses are two much more recent and soft rock masses, such as the sandstone. They stretch from Monferrato to the Gulf of Taranto in the east, and from Florence to Rome in the west, passing through Tuscany and Umbria.
The Apennines are home to many lengthy hiking trails. The European walking route E1, which begins in northern Europe and follows the northern and central Apennines, is a must experience if you’re physically fit.
Beginning in Trieste, the Grand Italian Trail continues across the Alpine arc, the Apennine mountains, Sicily, and Sardinia.
Best Things To Do in the Apennines
1. Hiking
If you’re not exactly a history buff but are interested in experiencing the laid-back culture of the Italian countryside, one of the following hiking trails is recommended.
The 425-kilometer Grand Escursione Appenninica (G.E.A., or Big Apennine Hiking) starts at Bocca Trabaria in Tuscany, Umbria, and Marche, then finishes at Lunigiana. For hikers who want to experience a typical Apennine ambiance in one long trip, this hike with 28 stops is a must.
Starting from the Adriatic Sea in Ancona, to the Tyrrhenian Sea in Orbetello, there is a 400-km.-long coastal trail that you may also want to try. The Apennine range may be seen from a variety of angles, even if this is not a route that leads to the summit of the mountains.
2. Going on a historical and religious hike
Numerous historical events have taken place in the Apennines in Italy.
Since the Roman Empire established the routes, people from all walks of life have attempted to conquer these mountains, from venal mercenaries to valiant conquerors, humble pilgrims to insane wanderers and shrewd businessmen.
Some of these historic trails are still in use and are noted for their cultural significance. These mountain paths are accessible to hikers of all skill levels due to their lack of significant elevation but provide breathtaking scenery.
3. Mountain biking
Mountain biking is a great way to explore the Apennines.
The Mercatello to Metauro route, for instance, is accessible through a local road that ascends to a panoramic viewpoint at 1,525 meters, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding area.
All levels of difficulty are catered for in the Tidone Valley in Piacenza. It’s a great option for experienced bikers and hikers who wish to visit Molise, a small Italian province with a lot to see and do.
The Marmore Falls (Umbria) route, meanwhile, is suitable for families; while the MTB routes in the Mainarde Mountains in Molise are surely an original alternative for experienced cyclists and hikers who want to discover this small but rich Italian region.
Mountain Ranges of Italy: The Dolomites
The Veneto and Trentino Alto-Adige/South Tyrol regions are home to the Dolomites, a mountain range that stretches from north to south. UNESCO recognized the 141,903 hectares of these Italian mountains as a World Heritage Site in 2009.
A portion of the Southern Limestone Alps of the Dolomites span through Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and Trentino-Alto Adige in Italy’s north-central provinces.
At 3,343 meters above sea level and a part of the Dolomites World Heritage Site, you’ll find Marmolada, the highest mountain summit in Italy. Many glacial lakes may be found at the foot of the serrated peaks, and some of the most magnificent include Lake Carezza, Lake Landro, and Lake Misurina.
The Italian Dolomites are often regarded as the most dramatic alpine destination on the planet. Some claim these are the prettiest of the Italian mountain ranges. Whether you travel by bus, car, bike, or train in the area, you’ll be enchanted by the Dolomites’ dramatic scenery. These mountains are well-known for their high cliffs, soaring walls, jagged pinnacles, karst plateaus, picturesque valleys, and alpine pastures.
There are mountains here that seem to cut into the sky and light up in flaming scarlet and violet hues (a phenomenon called enrosadira or alpenglow) in this part of the world. Alpine grasslands are punctuated by small, wooden chalets in the distance, below the towering peaks. When you see the Dolomites, you see a stunning contrast between the rugged mountains and the lush meadows.
The energetic traveler in you will find paradise in this part of Italy. You may enjoy mountain biking, paragliding, and via ferrata climbing in the summer. Winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy skiing at Dolomiti Superski, the world’s largest ski resort.
Best Things To Do in the Dolomites
1. Try some winter sports
How about skiing in the Dolomites? Here, you only need one card to access 16 ski resorts in the Dolomiti Superski network, with 1,200 km. of slopes and 450 lifts.
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Alta Badia, Val Gardena, and Marmolada are just a few of the most well-known stops along the way.
Tickets for a single day, many days, or a season pass can all be purchased online. You can, of course, purchase tickets at the lifts themselves.
If you don’t know how to ski, try sledding instead. Sledding down the Tre Cime di Lavaredo is an option at Lago di Misurina. You’ll be dropped off at the Rifugio Auronzo, which is located at an elevation of 7,654 feet above sea level, where you may rent a sled and speed your way down.
If you want a 6-hour guided tour to the Dolomites from Cortina d’Ampezzo, book any of the following tours:
2. Stay at a rifugio
One of the best things about hiking in the Dolomites is that you can go on a multi-day trek, stopping at one of the rifugi to rest and recharge. A rifugio is a mountain hut at a high elevation that can only be reached on foot.
For those who don’t want to bring their camping gear when trekking, these mountain shelters offer a convenient option. Sleeping in a lovely rifugio or hutte is a wonderful experience, regardless of whether you’re taking a break after a long hike or simply wish to wake up in the Dolomites. Rifugios (huts) dot the Dolomite Mountains, allowing for easy hiking between them.
If you are planning to stay in one, reservations should be made in advance.
3. Sample the wine and cuisine
The Dolomites have an abundance of Michelin-starred restaurants contending for the best culinary honors in the area. For the most part, quality and quantity go hand-in-hand here.
You’ll never go hungry or be stuck for lunch in the mountains because the landscape is littered with rifugi. These mountain lodges serve up local delicacies you are sure to enjoy.
There is also a wine lover’s paradise in the Dolomites. This region is known for its high-quality white wines, including types like Kerner and Gewürztraminer, both of which hail from the South Tyrolean region.
You should also visit the prettiest villages in the Dolomites. Check them out here!