These hiking hotspots in Italy offer plenty of trails and some iconic scenery

Italy isn’t just about Roman ruins, Renaissance art, and plates of pasta the size of your head. It’s also a paradise for walkers—whether you want to amble through sun-dappled vineyards, tackle high-altitude trails in the Dolomites, or get gloriously lost in medieval villages.

Walking is the best way to slow down and experience Italy at ground level, where you can hear the rustling of olive groves, smell freshly baked focaccia drifting from village bakeries, and feel the ancient stones beneath your feet.

So, lace up your boots and grab your trekking poles. Here are seven of the best spots in Italy for a walking holiday, packed with real-world tips to make sure you get the best out of each trail.

1. Cinque Terre, Liguria

The famous Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail) links five impossibly picturesque fishing villages, with sea views so stunning they look like a Photoshop job. This is Italy’s Instagram trail, but don’t let that put you off—the paths still have enough challenging stretches and quieter corners to make it feel like an adventure. If you prefer something even more off the beaten path, explore the higher trails above the villages, where terraced vineyards and olive groves stretch out beneath you.

The Sentiero Azzurro is the headliner, but it gets busy. If you want a quieter experience, take the Sentiero Rosso (Red Trail), a higher-altitude route with even better views and fewer crowds. Also, book your trail pass in advance (5–7.50 EUR) to avoid queues in peak season. Stay overnight in Corniglia, the only village without direct sea access, which keeps crowds at bay and gives a more authentic experience.

2. The Dolomites, South Tyrol

Hikers on a green mountain trail — **grafxart / Shutterstock**

If the Alps and the Grand Canyon had a lovechild, it would look like the Dolomites. The jagged limestone peaks, Alpine meadows, and shimmering mountain lakes make this a dream for serious hikers. With well-marked trails ranging from gentle valley strolls to high-altitude via ferratas, there’s something for everyone.

The Tre Cime di Lavaredo Loop is the classic, but check out Lago di Sorapis—a moderate 12km hike leading to an electric-blue glacial lake. If you want to avoid the tourist crush, the Val di Funes area offers postcard-worthy views and fewer crowds. Another great option is the Alta Via 1, a multi-day trek across the heart of the Dolomites, offering dramatic scenery and rustic mountain refuges serving hearty Alpine meals.

3. The Amalfi Coast, Campania

A woman hiker looking over a town — **ValerioMei / Shutterstock**

Most visitors stick to buses and boats, but the Amalfi Coast’s real magic is found on foot. The Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) runs high above the coastline, linking the mountain village of Agerola with Nocelle, offering heart-stopping views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The contrast between the rugged cliffs, bright blue sea, and colorful villages makes this one of Italy’s most spectacular hikes.

Start early to dodge the midday heat, and don’t stop in Positano—keep walking down to Fornillo Beach, where you’ll find cheaper sunbeds and fewer tourists. Pack light; the 1,700 steps down from Nocelle are no joke. If you want something even quieter, try the Valle delle Ferriere, a lush inland trail with waterfalls, lemon groves, and ruins of ancient ironworks.

4. Tuscany’s Via Francigena

Rolling green hills — **StevanZZ / Shutterstock**

If rolling hills, cypress-lined lanes, and vineyards spilling over medieval towns sound like your thing, Tuscany’s stretch of the Via Francigena pilgrimage route is perfect. This is the Italy you see in travel brochures, only better because you’re not stuck in a car. Following an ancient path walked by pilgrims for centuries, this route immerses you in history and stunning landscapes.

The stretch between San Gimignano and Monteriggioni (about 30km) is one of the most scenic. Break it up with a night in Colle di Val d’Elsa, a lesser-known medieval gem with incredible local wine (try the Vernaccia di San Gimignano). If you have more time, continue south towards Siena, where the stunning Piazza del Campo awaits at the end of your journey.

5. Sicily’s Madonie Mountains

Sicily’s interior is a world away from its busy beaches. The Madonie Mountains are packed with wildflower-filled meadows, ancient oak forests, and hilltop villages where life moves at a deliciously slow pace. The region is known for its biodiversity, with rare plant species and stunning views of Mount Etna in the distance.

Base yourself in Castelbuono, a beautiful medieval town with great food and excellent local hiking guides. Try the hike to Pizzo Carbonara, Sicily’s second-highest peak. Reward yourself afterward with a glass of locally made manna, a sweet resin harvested from ash trees. If you’re up for a challenge, consider the multi-day traverse of the Madonie Range, staying in rustic mountain refuges along the way.

6. Sardinia’s Selvaggio Blu

Cliffs and hills by the sea — **Fifi montagne / Shutterstock**

Italy’s toughest trek isn’t in the Alps—it’s the Selvaggio Blu, a brutal yet spectacular multi-day coastal hike along Sardinia’s rugged east coast. Expect sheer cliffs, rope-assisted scrambles, and wild camping spots with unbeatable sea views. This is the ultimate challenge for experienced hikers looking for an adventure far from civilization.

Unless you’re an experienced trekker with solid navigation skills, hire a guide. The route is barely marked, and cell service is non-existent. Also, bring more water than you think you’ll need—there are zero refill points. If you want an easier taste of Sardinia’s rugged coastline, try the trail from Cala Goloritzé to Cala Luna, a stunning day hike with crystal-clear coves perfect for a post-hike swim.

7. Umbria’s Monte Sibillini National Park

Hikers on a ridge path — **Buffy1982 / Shutterstock**

Everyone raves about Tuscany, but Umbria—its wilder, less touristy neighbor—has just as much to offer. Monte Sibillini National Park is a high-altitude wonderland of wildflower-filled plains, deep gorges, and craggy peaks. The region has a mystical reputation, with legends of sorceresses and hidden caves.

Visit in late spring or early summer, when the Piano Grande plain explodes into a riot of colorful flowers. The Gola dell’Infernaccio hike, through a dramatic limestone canyon, is an under-the-radar gem. If you’re interested in history, visit Norcia, the birthplace of St. Benedict and a town famous for its truffles and cured meats.