The 10 Most Spectacular Hiking Trails in Italy

 

If you love nature, walks, and breathtaking views, this post is for you! Here, you will find a list of the 10 most spectacular hiking trails in Italy of different levels of difficulty, each capable of giving indescribable emotions and sure appreciation.

Are you ready to put your boots on?

Let’s go!

10. Via degli Abati, Emilia Romagna/Tuscany – Northern Italy

Municipalities concerned: Pavia, Broni, Castana, Canevino, Pometo, Caminata, Romagnese, Bobbio, Coli, Farini, Bardi, Borgotaro, Pontremoli
Length: 190 km
Duration on foot: 33 hours
Recommended for: Youth and adults

Beautiful historical path originating from the High Middle Ages, which develops on the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, passing through the provinces of Pavia, Piacenza, Parma, Massa Carrara. The route is quite challenging: with a difference in height of almost 6,000 meters, it winds along paths, mule tracks, cart tracks, and crosses valleys and ridges. There is also an official website.

9. Antica Via Valeriana, Lombardy – Northern Italy

Municipalities concerned: Pilzone, Sulzano, Sale Marasino, Marone, Vello, Toline, Pisogne
Length: 30 km
Duration on foot: 9 hours
Recommended for: Everyone

It is a splendid ancient route connecting Lake Iseo and Val Camonica recently rediscovered and in the process of being redeveloped. The Via Valeriana is mostly cobbled and passes through ancient villages, overlooking the suggestive Lake Iseo, on the Brescia side. The itinerary is very suitable for photography enthusiasts.

8. Blue Path, Liguria – Northern Italy

Municipalities concerned: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore
Length: 12 km
Duration on foot: 6 hours
Recommended for: Everyone

A path that crosses all the villages of the Cinque Terre, unfortunately currently closed due to numerous landslides. The access to the path is subject to charges, with a fee ranging from €5 – €7.

7. Path of the Lemons, Campania – Southern Italy

Municipalities concerned: Maiori, Torre, Ravello, Minori
Length: 9 km
Duration on foot: 5 hours
Recommended for: Everyone

It’s a simple route, suitable for the whole family. The height difference is 410 meters and you can admire the incredible views of the Amalfi coast with its gardens and lemon groves. You can visit it throughout the year, always wearing suitable clothing depending on the period. And, don’t forget to stop in Ravello!

6. Tratturo Magno, Abruzzo / Molise / Puglia – Southern Italy

Municipalities concerned: L’Aquila, Bazzano, San Gregorio, Poggio Picenze, Capestrano, Lanciano, Vasto, Foggia
Length: 244 km
Duration on foot: 3 days; 1 day by bike
Recommended for: Youth and adults

Tratturo is a grass, stone, or dirt path created by the trampling of animals. The Tratturo Magno, which connects L’Aquila to Foggia, is the longest Italian sheep track. Along the way, you can admire interesting places, such as the archaeological site of Peltuinum and the Palazzo della Dogana delle Pecore in Foggia.

5. Great Crossing of the Alps, Piedmont – Northern Italy

Municipalities concerned: Viozene, Limonetto, Palanfrè, Sant’Anna di Vinadio, Sambuco, Celle di Macra, Elva, Pontechianale, Usseaux, Susa, Pialpetta, Talosio, Ronco, Quincinetto, Oropa, Rimella, Alpe del Lago, Molini di Calasca
Length: 1,000 km
Duration on foot: 5-8 hours for each stage
Recommended for: Youth and adults

An excursion that winds from Domodossola to the Ligurian Alps, divided into 55 stages with travel times from 5 to 8 hours each. The route was created to be traveled from south to north.

4. Mirror Rome, Rome Capital – Central Italy

Municipalities concerned: Rome
Length: 8 km
Duration on foot: 3 hours
Recommended for: Everyone

For an alternative view of Rome, we recommend the “Roma Specchiata” itinerary starting from Ponte Sublicio up to the Auditorium. You can admire the beauties of Rome Capital mirrored in the Tiber river. For info and details of the tour, consult the book “Rome, a true beauty” by Carlo Coronati.

3. Via degli Dei, Emilia Romagna / Tuscany – Northern Italy

Municipalities concerned: Bologna, Monte Adone, Passo della Futa, San Piero a Sieve, Fiesole, Florence
Length: 130 km
Duration on foot: 4 days
Recommended for: Youth and adults

An ancient trekking route that connects the cities of Bologna and Florence passing through the Apennines. It offers a truly suggestive vision in the middle of nature that can be passed, both, on foot and by mountain bike. The route was rebuilt in the 90s, recovering places of great naturalistic interest. The 6 above-mentioned stages are recommended.

2. Strada del Ponale, Trentino-Alto Adige – Northern Italy

Municipalities concerned: Riva del Garda, Ponale, Valle di Ledro
Length: 7 km
Duration on foot: 3 hours
Recommended for: Everyone

It’s an old road that used to connect Lake Ledro and Riva del Garda going up the valley of the Ponale stream. Used for car traffic until 1995, when the alternative road was built, in 2004 it was reopened as a cycle path and footpath. It offers incredible views of Lake Garda and is very popular with mountain bikers.

1. Via Di Francesco, Umbria – Central Italy

Municipalities concerned: La Verna, Assisi, Greccio
Length: 245 km (from the north)
Duration on foot: to complete the route from the north, it takes 68 hours of walking (divided into 10 days)
Recommended for: Youth and adults

In the first place, we find Via di Francesco, a spiritual itinerary to retrace the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi. You can start from the north, from La Verna passing through Città di Castello, Gubbio, and Perugia or from the south, from Greccio passing through Piediluco, Spoleto, Trevi, and Spello. The route has some simple and some more challenging sections.