Walking in Italy

Italy offers walkers a multitude of mouth-watering possibilities. When you think that northern Italy is firmly entrenched in the European Alps, while Sicily is a short hop to Tunisia in Africa, that’s not altogether surprising. Add to that the fact that Italy is virtually surrounded by three seas - the Adriatic, the Ionian and the Mediterranean - and it becomes blindingly obvious that Italy is blessed with a geography and location conducive to a diverse range of walks.

Italy’s stand-out walking regions include:

• the Dolomites - a rugged mountain range that lies in north-eastern Italy, towards the Austrian border. It is home to the renowned Alta Via 1 walk and can be combined with the Italian Lake District;

• the Lake District - this area just south of the European Alps is home to five major glacial lakes: Lakes Maggiore, Lugano, Como, Iseo and Garda;

• the Western Alps - this is the area north of Turin to Italy’s borders with Switzerland and France. It includes Mont Blanc (Europe’s highest mountain which lies on the France/Italy border), Gran Paradiso (at 4,061m, the highest mountain entirely in Italy) and Valle d’Aosta;

• the Riviera di Levante - the rugged coastline of Liguria in the far north-west is the location of the Portofino peninsula, as well as the famous Cinque Terre villages and the Sentiero Azzurro path that links those villages;

• Tuscany - the green heart of Italy offers historic hilltop villages, attractive landscapes interspersed with vineyards and olive groves and Renaissance art and architecture;

• the Amalfi Coast - south of Naples and Pompei, this coastline constitutes the southern side of the Sorrento Peninsula and includes the celebrated Sentiero degli Dei (Walk of the Gods). Paths link traditional fishing villages such as Amalfi, Ravello and Positano.

Italy’s geographic diversity and range of walking regions means that it provides destinations with appealing walking conditions year-round. This distinguishes it from some other European countries where, out of the season, conditions can be very challenging and facilities closed.

Another appealing facet of walking in Italy is the insights into the country’s history and culture. Visible reminders of Italy’s fascinating past - be it the Roman Empire or the Renaissance - are frequent. And, of course, Italian cuisine, with the myriad of regional variations, is famous throughout the world.

Interested in a multi-day walk in Italy?

• We can help you plan and book it; enquire now:

• For further information on some of Italy’s stand-out walking regions, click on the region below.