10 Best Walks in Italy To Trek and Hike

Do you want to know the best walks in Italy to trek or hike? Then stick around.

Italy is best known for its long history, art, and food. However, if you venture into the untamed Highlands and along the cliffs bordering the coasts, you’ll discover just how magnificent this nation is. Hiking in Italy is a wonderful experience you must tick off your bucket list.

Italy has a wide range of hiking possibilities, from multi-day treks in the mountains to some of the world’s most stunning trails.

While not as famous as New Zealand’s Great Walks, the best walks in Italy contain a range of difficulty levels, from easy to the most challenging.

10 Best Walks in Italy

10 Best Walks in Italy To Trek and Hike

Italy’s hiking trails have it all: the Amalfi Coast’s cliff-hanging routes, Dolomite’s enormous granite rocks, and even volcanoes in Sicily.

Listed below are 10 of the best walks of Italy, as well as tips on how to tackle each route.

1. Alta Via Dei Monzoni

10 Best Walks in Italy To Trek and Hike
Photo by barbarinrock via Instagram

Location: Dolomites of Trentino
Distance: 13 km. / 8 miles
Duration: 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate

There’s no better way to begin a Dolomite trek than by taking a chairlift to the starting point — Seggiovia Costabella, located in Pass San Pellegrino.

Hiking along World War I’s former Italian and Austrian trenches is a pleasant, albeit challenging experience from there. The Cimon del Bocche massif, Lagorai, Latemar, Catinaccio, and Pale di San Martino peaks can all be seen from Alta Via, said to be one of the best trails for hiking in Italy.

Only accessible in the late spring and summer, you’ll need to be prepared for this challenging walk. Don’t forget to bundle up and bring your hiking boots if you plan on going on this adventure.

Along the way, you can stop for a meal at one of the rifugi, or shelters in the Dolomite Mountains that offer food and accommodation.

2. Cinque Terre

10 Best Walks in Italy To Trek and Hike

Location: 112 miles northwest of Florence
Distance: 32.5 km. / 20.2 miles of trails between the villages
Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Difficulty: Intermediate to difficult

Known as one of Europe’s best hikes, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Cinque Terre is also considered one of Italy’s best.

Located on the Italian Riviera’s rough Ligurian shore, the route covers five villages that make up the Cinque Terre National Park: Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Monterosso, Vernazza, and Manarola.

A series of trekking trails that are inaccessible by car connect the communities, which are perched on cliffs. This area hasn’t been overdeveloped and boasts beautiful hiking paths.

You’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the coast and the city’s vibrant architecture if you take this scenic stroll. You’ll go past vineyards, olive trees, and hillsides.

During your Cinque Terre walk, make sure to stop in the villages to sample local delicacies like fresh fish and pesto.

The majority of the trails in Cinque Terre are paved, but there are also a lot of stairs involved in several of them. Be prepared for a long day of climbing and descending steep slopes.

You can also hire a local guide for a full day of hiking.

3. Corno Grande

10 Best Walks in Italy To Trek and Hike
Photo by maury3001 via Wikimedia Commons

Location: Main car park at Campo Imperatore
Distance: 9 km. / 5.6 miles
Duration: 5 to 7 hours
Difficulty: Moderate (normal route) to demanding (direct route)

Italy’s tallest peak, Corno Grande (Big Horn), is located in the Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga in the Abruzzo region, one of Italy’s largest national parks.

Consider using the “regular route” since it is a relatively easy ascent up moraine-strewn slopes to the summit and involves only a few short sections of easy scrambling at the end.

The summit offers breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea, Europe’s southernmost glacier, the Calderone, as well as the undulating mountains and the Adriatic.

Experienced hikers have the option of taking the zigzag route directly to the summit, which is a far more difficult climb. It’s possible to see a chamois or a royal eagle flying overhead in the early morning or late afternoon silence.

Early spring or early fall is the best time to tackle this trek.

4. Gorropu Gorge

10 Best Walks in Italy To Trek and Hike
Photo by Samandrew via Wikimedia Commons

Location: Dorgali, about 15 km. from the starting point — Rifugio Gorropu parking lot
Distance: 14 km. / 8.7 miles
Duration: An average of 6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate

Su Gorropu is a 450-m. canyon and one of Europe’s deepest gorges. Add the breathtaking views and it’s a must-see on any Italy itinerary.

Gorropu Gorge begins in Sardinia’s wooded mountains. You can hike or take a jeep from Gorropu Gorge base camp to reach there. Bar Silana is the ideal trailhead. You’ll see the mountains and rocks of Sardinia and wander among trees that transport you to a forest.

You can pick how far into Gorropu Gorge to hike when you arrive. Deeper into the trail, you’ll have to climb over rocks. A 1,640-foot trek into the gorge is enough to see the canyon walls.

After Gorropu Gorge, return to Bar Silana. The challenging track is well-maintained and well-marked, making it easy to hike.

Gorropu Gorge is best hiked early in the spring.

5. Mount Vesuvius

10 Best Walks in Italy To Trek and Hike
Mount Vesuvius guard rail

Location: Vesuvio National Park
Distance: 1.6 km. / 1 mile with 850 ft. elevation
Duration: Average of 35 mins.
Difficulty: Easy

Mount Vesuvius, a somma-stratovolcano east of Naples in Campania, was responsible for the destruction of Pompeii and adjacent settlements in AD 79.

ALSO READ:An Easy Guide to Pompeii To Get the Most Out of Your Time There

Since 3 million people live inside its eruptive zone, it has maintained a reputation as one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world. Despite this, many tourists visiting Italy choose to climb Mount Vesuvius.

Pay a fee to enter Vesuvio National Park’s parking area before ascending. There are stunning views of the Gulf of Naples, as well as the national park and the adjacent cities of Pompei and Naples, during this 35-minute climb.

In addition to the breathtaking views, Monte Vesuvius is a must-do hike in Italy because of its rich history.

6. Path of the Gods

10 Best Walks in Italy To Trek and Hike
Photo by pathofthegods_ via Instagram

Location: Located close to Positano
Distance: 7.8 km. / 4.8 miles
Duration: 3 to 5 hours
Difficulty: Easy

The Path of the Gods is one of Italy’s top walks. This is a walk that will take your breath away!

The starting point is at Bomerano, where the buses from Amalfi stop. You can then follow the white/red “02” signs. There are wonderful vistas of the Amalfi Coast to be seen along this journey until you get to Nocelle, your last stop.

Positano, a stunning seaside village, is just a short stroll down some steps from this vantage point. When you visit Positano, don’t miss out on all the fantastic photo ops and the best restaurants for their fantastic food!

You can stay in Positano, but you can also catch a bus back to Amalfi from there.

7. Portofino to San Fruttuoso

10 Best Walks in Italy To Trek and Hike
Portofino

Location: Portofino can be reached only by one road from Rapallo, which is about 5 miles (8.4 km.) away
Distance: 5km. / 3 miles
Duration: About 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy with some altitude changes

The Rapallo to Portofino walk is ideal because it’s one-way and is accessible via Santa Margherita Ligure.

Taking a boat from San Fruttuoso to Rapallo or Portofino, meanwhile, is the way to go for the return trip as it offers different yet equally stunning views from the water.

From Portofino’s boat port, climb steep stairs for one of Italy’s best treks. The road climbs past wildflower meadows, lemon gardens, and olive groves. The trail flattens out, and most of it is a delightful stroll along the Mediterranean Sea cliffs.

After leaving the final Mediterranean vista, the trail descends steep switchbacks to San Fruttuoso Bay. lt is accessible only on foot or by boat. You may see the 10th-century abbey before reaching San Fruttuoso’s beach. You can sunbathe on the beach and eat at local restaurants before returning by boat.

8. Sassolungo / Langkofel

10 Best Walks in Italy To Trek and Hike

Location: Start the hike from the cable car in the center of Selva Val Gardena town
Distance: 17.6 km. / 11 miles
Duration: 3 hours
Difficulty: Intermediate

The lush green meadows of the Sassolungo / Langkofel path are punctuated by three towering summits of grey rock.

Climbing one of Italy’s most appealing summits begins on these peaks. They are Sasso Piatto, Punta Grohman, and the Sassolungo itself, and they serve as cinematic companions during the voyage around Sassolungo / Langkofel massif.

Throughout the trip, the ever-changing scenery is awe-inspiring. You’ll be surrounded by European Alpine meadow Alpe di Siusi, Europe’s highest major alpine meadow, and aromatic pine trees drenched in light, as well as the rocky and barren peaks of the Dolomite ranges.

ALSO READ:6 Most Dramatic Trails in the Dolomites You Should Hike Before You Die9 Prettiest Villages in the Dolomites You Should Visit or Stay In

You may refuel, rest, and take in the stunning mountain views at numerous strategically situated rifugi along the way. Sassolungo to Langkofel is a challenging journey because of its length. But hikers of all fitness levels of fitness can complete it because there are no tough sections.

9. Stromboli, Aeolian Islands, Sicily

10 Best Walks in Italy To Trek and Hike

Location: Stromboli town length (7.8 km. / 4.8 miles)
Duration: 5 to 6 hours to complete
Difficulty: Moderate to demanding

One of the most remarkable islands in the Aeolian archipelago, Stromboli, was formed about 40,000 years ago.

With a view of the cobalt sea, the trek to Stromboli’s stunning pyramid of a volcano is a must-experience. Besides, it’s not every day that you get to climb up to a smoldering volcano.

You will find wild capers and Sicily broom-bordered paths on your way to Stromboli. Plus, the views of the town and the sea are as spectacular as the countryside at higher altitudes. It’s a beautiful sight at sunset, but you’ll need a flashlight to get back down the mountain to the village below.

As a general rule, visitors are only allowed to walk up to 400 meters before needing a guide to ascend farther. It’s also worth noting that this is an active volcano, with a recent eruption in July 2019, thus this hike, while beautiful, comes with an additional level of danger.

10. Tre Cime di Lavaredo Loop

10 Best Walks in Italy To Trek and Hike
Photo by @italyheights via Instagram

Location: 32 km. (20 miles) from Cortina
Distance: 10 km. / 6 miles
Duration: An average of 3 hrs. and 11 mins. to complete
Difficulty: Easy

If you’re going to hike Tre Cime di Lavaredo, get there as early as possible to avoid the crowds. You’ll start at Cortina d’Ampezzo or Misurina, which are both accessible by vehicle or public transportation in high season. It costs 30 euros to arrive by car, but there are no additional fees for parking or anything else.

It doesn’t matter where you start or where you end up on the Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike; the views are breathtaking. In addition to the rocky barren landscapes and mountain lakes surrounded by wildflowers, this is one of the best treks in Italy you can experience.

Along the trip, you’ll pass a few mountain cabins where you can stop for refreshments and eat local fare.