Walks of Italy is all about walking! Walking in Italy offers some of Europe’s most beautiful and diverse landscapes. This makes it a great place to explore on foot. There are stunning hikes all over Italy, from the Alps to Appenines to the coast to the islands. Are you unsure where to begin? These are just four of our favorite hikes in Italy. These are some of our favourite, but less well-known hikes in Italy.
Portofino to San Fruttuoso (Liguria)
After about a 15-minute climb up, look back where you came from to take in the view of Portofino. Photo by Gina Mussio
Cinque Terre isn’t the only hiking option in Italy (as we have mentioned ), and it’s certainly not the only hiking option in Liguria. The Parco Naturale Regionale di Portofino is a large park that protects the Ligurian coast and its extensive network of trails. Here you can enjoy some of the most stunning views of the coast.
The tiny town of San Fruttuoso is home to the Christ of the Abysss underwater statue of Jesus. It can only be reached by foot or by ferry. However, we recommend the hike! Follow the trail for approximately two hours from San Fruttuoso to Portofino by taking a ferry. You can then reward yourself with a dip, gelato, or a sandwich made of mozzarella, tomato, and pesto.
The Greenway (Lake Como Lombardy)
The Greenway runs six miles along Lake Como, so you can see all angles of this stunning lake. Gina MussioPhoto
The beautiful lake is followed by the greenway for six miles from Colonno to Cadenabbia. It’s not difficult, as most of the walk follows a flat path. However, you can do short sections between cities. You can walk from Lenno-Tremezzo in about 1.5 hours. Enjoy the beautiful olive trees, sailboats, and huge villas that are reminiscent of Roman rule.
Montagna della Majella (Abruzzo)
The Majella is covered in snow. Photo by Vito Menzari
Majella National Park, which is often overlooked, will show you the Apennines, the Alps’ smaller sister, and some of the most beautiful wildernesses in Italy. It is a relatively new park, established in 1998 to preserve the wilderness area. The park covers nearly 100 miles and contains some of the most rugged canyons and mountains of the Apennines. You can also climb Monte Amaro (2,793m), the second highest peak of the Apennines.
Volcano Trail ( Campania , and Sicily).
Etna is the tallest volcano in Italy. Its peak is nearly always covered in snow. Photo by gnuckx, flickr
Although not often thought of, volcanoes are great hiking spots! There are four main options in Italy: Vulcano, Stromboli and Vulcano. You can either visit all four on one trip or pick one. Each one is unique in its level and landscape.
Mount Vesuvius is located near , six miles east from Naples. It’s a relatively easy climb, at approximately 4,200 feet. The reward? A stunning view of Naples Bay. The longest of the four volcano hikes, it takes only 30 minutes.
You can take a ferry to Stromboli (3.030 feet), and view the Stromboli volcano from the Sciara del Fuoco hiking trail, which is more difficult than the breeze of Vesuvius. The hike takes two-and-a-half to three hours. A guide is required, but once you reach the top, you can enjoy the views, the volcanic activity (which happens about every 15 minutes), and the enormous craters.
You can reach Stromboli by heading to Vulcano Island. This island is named after the Volcano which formed it. Also known as Vulcano. Although this volcano, 1,640 feet high, is often overlooked. It is worth the steep forty-five-minute hike. The sulfur-rich air and constant steam as well as other gases that shoot upwards into the atmosphere make it one of the most dramatic of all. You can relax after a difficult hike by taking a dip in the thermal baths located on the island. This is a natural advantage to climbing a volcano.
You can tackle Etna in Sicily, Italy’s highest volcano. If you are looking for something more challenging, go to Sicily. Similar to the peaks in the Alps at 11,000 feet the volcano’s highest point is reached, but hikers are not allowed above 9,500 feet due to the explosions. However, you can see Etna’s volcanic activity from 6500 feet above the Crateri Silvestri. You can reach the two craters via bus but you should consider using the Crateri Silvestri as your starting point for your walk to get a glimpse of Etna’s volcanic activity. Although the entire Etna trek can take at least six hours to complete, you can do it with a combination of walking, cable car, and bus.
We want you to experience Italy like a local, whether you are hiking or exploring the incredible cities of Italy. You will get more from your trip to Italy by checking out our blogs and walking routes.
