Hiking is a fantastic way to get in touch with nature. You can explore the beauties of nature at your own pace, powered only by your own two feet and bringing just what you need throughout the day on your back. It is also an activity that practically everyone can accomplish with only a little preparation, and it is what I have enjoyed and relaxed through active traveling.
Italy is famed for its unique cuisine, culture, art towns, and natural spectacles. However, it is not until you get around the wild mountains and journey along its tall beaches that you understand how lovely the country truly is.
It also boasts an extensive range of hiking choices that are ideal for discovering beautiful and well-known locations. This country is the most refreshing hiking destination, from the mountain routes of Northern Italy to the volcanic climbs of Sicily.
Keep in mind that the ideal hiking seasons in Italy are spring and early fall. In these seasons, the temperatures are neither too warm nor too cold. However, keep in mind that hiking trails are sometimes covered in snow until April in the mountains.
If you are like me, who love to behold adventures as I hike or planning to visit some hiking attractions this 2022, I got you covered! I highly recommend considering these seven beautiful trails when hiking in Italy.
Hiking in Italy: Our 7 Favorite Trails
Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Dolomites
A renowned UNESCO world heritage site is a popular hiking destination in Italy. It features excellent vertical walls, deep valleys, and sheer peaks that lead to Belluno via the lovely Braies Lake. The Dolomite Nations you see here are far more stunning in person than they appear in photographs. The park has nearly 200 kilometers of hiking trails.
You can easily hike through the Dolomites’ most photographed vistas and peaks. The road goes from Cortina to the Fiscalina valley and the Valle Fondo hut. I recommend spending the night at the Comici hut or the Pian di Cengia, both located along the route.
The loop trail surrounding Tre Cime di Lavaredo is excellent for families and people of all fitness levels, making it the ideal day trip. You will see a spectacular view, wildflowers, and beautiful rifugios along the way.
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Hiking Duration: 3-4 hours
Things to Consider: The best months to visit here are June, September, and October. It is essential to pack hiking boots, water, and a rain jacket.
The Orobie Trail (Sentiero delle Orobie), Lombardy
The Orobie Trail (Sentiero delle Orobie), best known as “The Flower Trail”, travels through the Bergamo highlands and provides a complete immersion into some of the most remote parts of the Alps, with the opportunity to encounter some of the local animals (marmot, chamois, eagle, steinbock).
It is generally over 2000 meters, and the Eastern Orobie Trail has eight stages, while the Western Orobie Trail has six. The Orobie Trail is accessible via small settlements at the valley level, allowing for single-stage walking.
Difficulty: Demanding – it varies depending on the path you choose.
Estimated Hiking Duration: 39.4 hours walking time
Things to Consider: You might choose to spend the night at Alpe Corte if you plan to walk from Ardesio to Valcanale (the first section of Sentiero 220). Taking the bus from Ardesio to Valcanale and then climbing is more common. In this situation, the distance between Valcanale and Alpe Corte is less than an hour, making it unnecessary to spend the night.
Sentiero Azzurro, Cinque Terre
The Cinque Terre, also recognized as one of Italy’s most Instagrammed regions, is as stunning in person as it seems in images and is home to one of the top hiking paths in the country. It is a collection of fishing settlements perched atop cliffs. The Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail No. 2 on maps) connects all five communities, passing through olive orchards, vineyards, and terraced hillsides.
From Riomaggiore to Monterosso, it follows the coast to the Ligurian Sea, although you can stop in the middle settlement of Corniglia and catch a train back. La Spezia is about 15 minutes away by train and is far less expensive in meals and lodging.
If you are asking how long you should remain in Cinque Terre, the answer is that it varies on what you want to accomplish; nevertheless, one day is sufficient to complete the hike and see all five towns.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Estimated Hiking Duration: 3-4 hours; 1-2 days if you want to stay and see all the towns
Things to Consider: The accommodation costs in the five towns that make up Cinque Terre are expensive, and the price point is often terrible. Staying in La Spezia or some other neighboring towns is a better option.
Gran Paradiso National Park, Piedmont
The Gran Paradiso National Park is Italy’s oldest and most beloved national park. High mountains, deep valleys, larch trees, alpine grasslands, glaciers, and spectacular animals can all be found here.
Who are we to dispute with the Italians when they say the Gran Paradiso National Park has all the “patches of heaven?” There are a variety of walks available in the park, ranging from easy to complex.
The highest climb here leads you to the peak of Punta Rossa, which is 3,630 meters above sea level. You can spend the night in one of the rustic huts along the way and experience the delectable local cuisine.
Difficulty: Moderate to Demanding
Estimated Hiking Duration: 2 days
Things to Consider: As it is a demanding hike, you may want to stay for the night. Make sure that you bring the fitting pants for this travel.
Alpine Path of the Dolomites No. 2
For experienced hikers, the Alpine Path of the Dolomites no.2 is an essential classic. The highway, also called the Way of Legends, passes through some of the most notable dolomitic groups, including the Sella, Marmolada, and Pale of San Martino.
It connects Brixen with the historic city of Feltre and travels through pastures, woods, and steep slopes.
The route crosses through 30 mountainous terrains ranging in altitude from 2000 to 3000 meters, surrounding a succession of massive peaks exceeding 3000 meters and numerous pure alpine lakes.
Difficulty: Challenging
Estimated Hiking Duration: 2 weeks
Things to Consider: As this is a long-distance and demanding hike, bring all the necessary things like water, rain jackets, hiking boots, hiking pants, and so on. Pack it in an appropriate hiking backpack.
Val Trebbia, Piacenza
One of northern Italy’s most forgotten and magical valleys is at the crossroads of the provinces of Liguria and Emilia Romagna.
The historic settlement of Brugnello dominates the picturesque Trebbia river valley. The deceptive light-blue river can be seen here, and the ring trek also passes through three more medieval villages: Moglia, Carana, and Pietranera.
The hike takes you through woodlands and hills on a pleasant, relatively flat path – an excellent option for a day trek.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Estimated Hiking Duration: 3 hours
Things to Consider: Because the tourism industry in Val Trebbia has not yet reached its full potential, lodging may be challenging to view online; local hotels and pensions are usually family-run and are associated with considerable by rustic restaurants (the famous trattorie) providing home-made dishes and seasonal products, particularly the much-loved and pricey porcini mushrooms, whose cultivation causes a real ‘mushroom-fever’ each summer, just as chestnut harvesting causes a real ‘chestnut-fever’
Sicily
In Italy, Sicily is a fantastic hiking location. The Madonie and Nebrodi parks have pathways for hikers who prefer to be in the woods.
The Vendicari Nature Reserve is home to one of the most beautiful paths in southeastern Sicily. The walk up to Stromboli’s heights adds to the adventure. It is not every day that you get to hike to a smoldering, perpetually active cone.
The trip to the top is a must-do for nature enthusiasts. It is diversified and exhilarating, with explorers, incredible panoramic vistas, and high-level elevation panoramas combined with stunning sea views. You can trek to the summit of 924 meters to witness the sunset and return using flashlights. However, access is closely regulated by officials.
Difficulty: Moderate to Demanding
Estimated Hiking Duration: 3-4 hours; 5-6 hours when returning
Things to Consider: You could freely walk up to 400 meters, but you will need a guide after that. That means that, while this climb is beautiful in its own right, it also carries a certain amount of risk.
Final Thoughts
Italy truly has a lot to offer when it comes to hiking endeavors. You will never run out of options to choose from! Hiking in Italy will provide you with the relaxation you need.
If you are a beginner, you may want to consider trying the easy to moderate hikes listed here instead of surprising yourself with difficulties. And if you are experienced, the challenge awaits you!
Long-distance and demanding hiking with the ones listed in moderate to challenging hikes will feed your hunger for extreme adventures! What are you waiting for? Plan your hiking travels now and consider the magnificent offerings of Italy.