Find the best walking holidays in Italy. From rugged landscapes to quaint villages and stunning coastlines, there is no shortage of wonders to discover.

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There are many walking holidays in Italy for you to explore. On each route you will discover marvels, including mesmerizing landscapes, quaint villages and stunning coastlines. If that isn’t reason enough to try out one of these walking tours in Italy, just think of the delicious cuisine that you’ll enjoy after a day on the trail.

Multi-Day Walking Holidays in Italy

Cinque Terre

Our self-guided tour in Cinque Terre is the perfect no-fuss walking tour in Italy. You will walk the famous coastal route between the five famed villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. En route, there are fantastic landscapes and coastal views to enjoy as you pass by the jetsetter port of Portofina and other lesser-known coastal villages on the Ligurian Riviera.

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Spend your days walking among olive groves and vineyards as you make your way through the beautiful Cinque Terre National Park . In the evenings, you’ll indulge in delicious Italian foods and wine at comfortable accommodation. We’ve chosen the best routes for you and will arrange everything you need, including support throughout the tour in case you run into any problems.

If you don’t have the time for a multi-day tour, there are some great guided alternatives like this walking tour from La Spezia. Your guide will lead you to the towns of Corniglia, Vernazza and Riomaggiore where you will have plenty of opportunity to explore the sights.

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Alta Via 1: Dolomites

Alta Via 1 - Walking Tour in Holiday

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If you’re looking for an adventurous walking holiday in Italy then the Alta Via 1 is a perfect choice. Also called The Dolomite High Route 1, this wonderful multi-day route passes many landmarks including Braies Lake, Lagazuoi Massif, the Cinque Torri group, Monte Pelmo, and the Civetta and Moiazza massifs.

Our Alta Via 1 self-guided tour is the perfect option if you are looking for a route that matches your abilities without any of the hassle of planning. We offer three variations including a complete 11-day trek or an option to do the northern or southern section on a 8-day trek.

On each of these self-guided tour options, you will enjoy memorable hiking each day and stay in authentic mountain huts most nights. You won’t have the hassle of planning any details and we even offer you continuous support in case you run into any problems along the way.

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Gran Paradiso Trek

On this walking holiday in Italy, you’ll discover the heart of the Italian Alps: Gran Paradiso National Park. Nestled between the iconic Mont-Blanc and Mont-Rose, this breathtaking region boasts soaring peaks like the Grand Paradis at 4,061m (13,323.49 ft) and enchanting valleys echoing with rich Aosta Valley traditions.

Experience Italy’s first national park, a sanctuary born from Europe’s earliest wildlife protection efforts and home to the majestic Ibex.

Prepare for challenging ascents reaching up to 3,300m (10,826.77 ft) and immerse yourself in the pristine alpine landscapes: larch forests, mesmerizing mountain lakes, and vibrant meadows following marked trails to guide your 7 or 8 day hiking adventure

Path of Gods: Bologna to Florence

Explore the beautiful Emilia-Romagna region of Italy as you walk The Path of the Gods from Bologna to Florence. The route gets its name from the five mountains that are named after the gods and goddesses of ancient Rome.

The highest peak on this section of the path is the Monte Adone (Adonis) which offers exhilarating views of the Bologna Hills. You will also tread in the footsteps of the ancient Romans as some of the routes retraces the historic Flaminia Military Roman Road.

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If you have the time, it is highly recommended that you do the route over six days. This way you will have more than enough time to enjoy the sites in between.

You can, however, choose a three-day version of the route, but you will miss some of the more beautiful sites. The best thing about this walking holiday in Italy is that you can choose to do it with a guided or self-guided tour which you can read more about here.

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Full-Day Walking Holidays in Italy

Path of Gods: Amalfi Coast

There are few more beautiful places on earth than the Amalfi Coast. Although the region is most famous for its coastal villages and pricey resorts, there is a cheaper and more adventurous way to experience it.

You can walk a portion of the coastline on The Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei in Italian). The path takes you along high ridges, with sweeping coastal views, to stunning lesser-known villages with true Italian charm.

Going with a guide is always recommended, especially since locals know the lay of the land. A guide will also let you in on legends and stories that you won’t hear anywhere else. You can try this walking tour from Positano to Agerola, where you will enjoy stunning sea views and pass by historic farmhouses and quaint villages.

Or you can opt for this tour that starts in Bomerano di Agerola and leads you to the center of Positano. Your guide will entertain you with exciting tales and you’ll meet a local shepherd in the Lattari Mountains.

Varenna at Lake Como

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Lake Como is the perfect place to enjoy a walking holiday in Italy. Varenna is one of the most popular places to stay when visiting Lake Como. It’s also one of the most charming towns with its cobblestone streets and historic churches.

Varenna is also home to the Church of San Giovanni Battista, which is the oldest in the Lario region. There is a great selection of walking trails around Lake Como that connect many of the smaller towns and local sites.

You could find great walking paths on your own, but going with a guide ensures that you don’t miss out on any of the best attractions. For a great experience, try this full-day walking tour that includes a visit to the Castle of Vezio to enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Como. Or try out this tour, that takes you to the Orrido, a breathtaking natural gorge with suspended walkways.

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The Dolomites from Bolzano

One of the best places to discover wonderful walking holidays in Italy is the Dolomites. Located in the northeast of Italy, the mountain range has a total of eighteen peaks that rise above 3,000 meters. In winter the peaks are covered by snow and it becomes a winter wonderland. But during the summer months, it offers you fantastic hiking opportunities with plenty of amazing views.

Considering that there are a large number of walking and hiking trails in the Dolomites, it’s a good idea to try a guided tour to help you find the right route for you. You can try this tour in the Dolomites that leaves from Bolzano and takes you to sites such as Lake Misurina and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the three most famous peaks in the region.

The Turano Valley

It may not be the first place that you think of when choosing a walking holiday in Italy, but the Turano Valley is worth a visit. From the magnificent Lake Turano to the infamous medieval village Castel di Tora, there is more than enough to be discovered in this part of Italy.

The area is full of secret sites and viewpoints that only a local guide will be able to show you. That’s why you should try out a tour such as this full-day experience. Your guide will take you on a scenic route that includes a stop at Borgo di Monte Antuni, an abandoned medieval village.

Stop for an Italian lunch and enjoy the sweeping views of Lake Turano before continuing on to explore more lush mountain paths and Castel di Tora.

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Tuscany

From aromatic vineyards to rolling hills and rustic villages, Tuscany has everything to make your walking holiday in Italy perfect. The region is a mix of art, rich history and culture that resonates in each of its towns and pastel-colored villages.

And besides being the perfect place for a stint outdoors, the cuisine is unrivaled in these parts. An impossibly beautiful medieval hill-top village that has so much history and potential to progress all at once.

The best way to make sure you don’t miss out on the best things to see and eat is by taking a guided tour. This private full-day tour takes you from Siena into the countryside to discover trails through vineyards, picturesque villages, and towns such as San Gimignano.

Your guide will describe each site in detail and treat you to an unforgettable Tuscan meal. Before the end of the day you’ll even have a great opportunity to explore a part of Chianti and its lush vineyards and olive groves.

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Sanremo

Well-known for its olive oils and year-round good weather, Sanremo offers you more than just a city experience. The stunning coastline and surrounding mountains make this a great place to enjoy a walking holiday in Italy.

Just outside the city, you’ll find the beautiful Parco Naturale di San Romolo. The park offers many wonders, including beautiful views that stretch across lush green hills all the way to the coast.

Sanremo is not well-known for hiking though, and this makes finding many of the trails difficult without a guide. That’s why we recommend you try a guided tour such as this full-day walking experience where you will explore the stunning views of the Santuario Madonna Della Costa.

You will also visit the Parco Naturale di San Romolo where you will enjoy a hike and a stop at a local cafe before heading back into Sanremo.

10 Best Walking Holidays in Italy (2024)