Unique Italian Holiday: Top 10 Hiking Trails In Italy

Italy is famous for its historical cities, incredible architecture and marvellous food. However, most of the tourist places are extremely crowded, thus dampening the holiday a bit.

But, what most people do not know is that Italy is endowed with some of the most picturesque landscapes in the world, which should be explored on foot. This is the reason why hiking in Italy is one of the best things to do in this European country. While there are several hiking trails and spots in Italy, we have come up the 7 best which you should consider during your Italian holiday. Before you start you’re hiking holiday, all you need to do is check out the Italy tourist visa requirements and apply for an Italian or Schengen visa.

Best Time To Hiking In Italy

The weather most preferable for hiking in Italy is during the cool months when there is no rainfall. This happens in spring or autumn. July, August, and September are the most favorable months to hike. Also, among these August is less appropriate because most holidays lie in this month. This means the crowd at mountain places will also include locals. Thus, hiking can be best done in Italy during July and September.

Best hiking trails of Italy:

1.Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is home to five charming villages, painted in pastel colours. The best part is that the villages are located on a cliffside, on-looking the beautiful blue Mediterranean Sea. This scenic trek is pretty easy and would take around five hours, excluding the time you spend visiting each village. One of the most popular trails of Cinque Terre is the Blue Trail, also known as the Sentiero Azzurro, where you walk from Riomaggiore to Monterosso. Apart from the view of the sea, you would be able to enjoy gorgeous vineyards, beautiful olive groves and stunning terraced hillsides. This is a great place for a family trek, especially if you do not want to do anything strenuous or risky.

2.Mount Vesuvius

Italy has lot of historical sites and if you can visit a historical site while hiking, it would make your holiday really interesting. Here, we are talking about Mount Vesuvius, the volcano that destroyed the entire city of Pompeii in 79 AD. The most fascinating thing is that the volcano is still active but is considered safe, currently. The hiking trail on Mount Vesuvius is known to be moderately easy, and it takes around thirty minutes to reach the summit. From the top, you get to see the crater and the markers of the lava and gas that had spewed all over. You would also be able to see Bay of Naples and of course, the city of Pompeii. On your way back, do visit the ruins of Pompeii to have a complete experience of the place.

3.Sardinia

If you are a seasoned hiker and have experience in mountaineering, Sardinia is a place that would put you on one of the toughest hiking tests in Italy. The Selvaggio Blu in Sardinia is extremely demanding and takes somewhere around 4-6 days to complete. However, if you are up to the task, you would be rewarded with some splendid views and landscapes. You would be able to enjoy huge cliffs, deep gorges and interesting caves. Also, you would be able to see marvellous panoramic views of the Mediterranean. However, you need to remember is that Sardinia is Italy’s wilderness and it is hard to find water or even any signs. Still, the beauty of the place makes it a must-try hike when in Italy. If you are not familiar with the place, it would be best to go with a hiking guide.

4.Dolomites

Any serious hiker would know about Dolomites, which is a part of the Italian Alps. Although not as famous as the Swiss Alps, the Dolomites are equal in grandeur and beauty. The Dolomites offers some of the best hiking trails in Italy, some of which include Alta Via 1, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, etc. All the trails on this hiking spot would take you through beautiful lakes, charming meadows, spruce forests, dramatic cliffs, pastoral valleys, etc. The place also has a historical connection, and you would be able to see a place where the World War I was fought between Italian and Austrian, while hiking.  The hike on Dolomites takes 10-15 days and is physically exhausting. Go for this only if you are a thorough professional hiker.

5.Amalfi Coast

This is one of the shortest hiking routes, located in Southern Italy. The Sentiero degli Dei, translated as Path of the Gods in English, stretches up to 8 km and takes around 4 hours to complete, even if you are on a slow pace. Perfect for a leisurely hike, this spot in Southern Italy offers some of the most beautiful locales and views that you would ever see. The wooded Lattari Mountains, the shining Mediterranean Sea, the distant view of the island of Capri, etc. are some of the things that you would see here. The best part is that the Amalfi Coast has hardly been touched by humankind. Enjoy walking thorough terraced hillsides, rosemary plants, lemon plantations, etc. during your hike.

6.Tuscany

Tuscany is known for its history, art and food. However, not many know that it is a great place for hiking too. The city has some great hiking trails but the best and the most popular is the Renaissance Ring. This trail extends up to 170 km and goes around Florence. The entire trail is divided into 13 stages and can be covered in two weeks time. During the hike, you would be able to see verdant jungles, beautiful countryside; Roman ruins monasteries and medieval castles in Italy. The other hiking trail in Tuscany is the Chianti Trail, which would take you through medieval villages and vineyards.

7.Sicily

If you are visiting the scenic Aeolian Island of Sicily, you must take this opportunity to hike on the Stromboli Volcano. This is an active volcano and you would be able to see the lava explosions coming out of it. The entire trek takes around 6-8 hours (roundabout trip) and is moderately difficult. What makes the hike spectacular is the sight of the volcanic mountain with its black sand and pebbles against the turquoise sea. However, if you want to enjoy the true visual effect of the volcano, you must visit the place during night. You would easily get a hiking guide who would help you in this Italian hiking adventure.

8. Gran Parasido National Park

In Italy, Gran Paradiso National Park is the oldest national park; it colors with a picture of alpine marvels and different kinds of wildlife. In this beautiful sanctuary, the hiking paths that begin at Pont Valsavarenche and end at Cogne provide a variety of trails according to different levels of expertise. As you walk your way across breathtaking scenery, you will find ibex, chamois, and eagles in the beauty of the park.

9. Monte Baldo Ridge Trail

On Monte Baldo Ridge Trail, hikers will enjoy an incredible walk along the stunning ridge of MonteBaldo with magnificent views of Lake Garda’s shining waters. This 13-kilometer trek that starts from Malcesine and ends in San Michele takes approximately five hours to complete, thus a moderate challenge for enthusiasts. Navigate through different terrain, from green pastures to rocky roads, and experience the additional opportunity to embellish your journey with a cable car ride (approx. €22) that provides breathtaking aerial views.

10. Val Grande National Park

The enormous wild area of Val Grande National Park in Italy becomes a sanctuary for bold trekkers who are seeking unadulterated nature. It is located in the Piedmont about a hundred kilometers northwest of the city. This huge park has rugged wilderness, forests, and beautiful alpine meadows. Because of the lack of marked paths, Val Grande is a rambler’s paradise that invites adventurers to explore its varied landscape and discover everything new in each step. The fact that there are no modern trappings makes the wilderness experience even more authentic, allowing for a truly immersive journey into the unknown heart of raw nature.

What To Carry For Hiking In Italy

• Water Bottle
• Snacks like Trail Mix, Dry Fruits, Chocolates or Energy Bars
• Daypack or Backpack that is travel-friendly
• Trekking Shoes or Hiking Boots
• Swiss Knife
• Torchlight or Flashlight
• Hand Sanitizer
• Trek Pants or Trousers
• Cap or Hat
• Sunscreen, Sunblocks, and Lip Balms to prevent the sunburns
• Trek Route or Map
• Medical Kit or First-aid Kit