As anyone who has done it knows, the slow, measured pace of walking is the only way to fully take in a location. Italy lends itself beautifully to extended walking tours and treks, due in no small part to its long and practiced history of hosting pilgrims from around the world. For millennia, visitors have come to bask in its holy sites, artistic treasures, and the exquisite beauty of land itself.
Visitors need not worry when planning a trip. Italy has long played host to trekkers from around the world, and visitors intent on exploring by foot will have an easy time finding replacements for hiking boots, trekking poles, and the like, should these items become damaged or lost. Italians themselves are enthusiastic about walking the length of their beautiful country, and the supply of goods specific to trekking is plentiful.
Walking in Sicily
The island of Sicily maintains its mainland Italian links but has a cuisine and a culture all its own. The island makes an especially rewarding destination for walkers. Most of Sicily is comprised of level, undulating plains, but there are rolling hills in the northeastern part of the island where it nearly touches the mainland. History buffs will enjoy the Greek ruins on the island, where a walking tour starting in Scopello takes in a nature reserve as well as an exquisitely preserved Greek temple. (Suggested Tour: Trapani and West Sicily Walking Tour)
If something a little more explosive is to your liking, try a trekking trip to Mt. Aetna or the Aeolian Islands nearby, where active volcanoes enthrall visitors with some of the most unique landscape in Europe. (Suggested Tour: Mt. Etna and the Aeolian Islands Walking Tour)
Walking in the Dolomites
Located in the Italian Alps in the region between Italy and Switzerland, the Dolomites have long been famous for superb skiing in the winter and serious mountain climbing, hiking, and walking in the summer. Unparalleled views at the rooftop of Europe lend majesty to this area rich in geological and natural beauty. A week long hike beginning in Val Zebrù ends with stunning glacier views and the pristine Lake Como. (Suggested Tour: Stelvio National Park in the Dolomites Walking Tour)
Walking in Tuscany
The beloved region of Tuscany beckons visitors the world over; its bucolic charm is matched by museum cities like Siena or Florence that represent not just Italian culture, but world culture. The truly stunning magnificence of these cities is best appreciated on foot and a walking tour linking the two historical gems takes full advantage of the rolling countryside of the wine-growing region. (Suggested Tour: Walking from Florence to Siena)
Coastal Tuscany offers a more challenging, but no less rewarding opportunity to immerse oneself into the heart and soul of Italy. This is the land the Etruscans called home, and the jagged coastline plunging to the churning sea below offers some of the most dramatic sea views in all of Italy. The tiny but visually stunning island of Giglio lies just off the coast and offers trekkers accessible countryside and charming cliff side villages. Both regions are well represented in an eight day walking tour that takes advantage of the very best the province has to offer. (Suggested Tour: Isola del Giglio)
Walking the Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast to Naples is a jaw-dropping blend of challenging coastline and undulating countryside. Sweeping vistas include the blue Mediterranean and the heights of Mt. Vesuvius. The beaches are serene and sandy, with cliff faces pitted along the way with deep caves. The walking in this part of Italy is challenging along the coast, but levels out in the area around Naples. The Romans lived in and loved this part of Italy and it is not difficult to see why. The museum city of Pompeii is forever frozen in time, documenting the heyday of Roman rule, and is a highlight of this culturally impressive walking tour. (Suggested Tour: Amalfi Coast Walking Tour)
Walking the Via Francigena
Follow the Medieval pilgrimage route from Orvieto to Rome and soak in the history of this challenging but deeply rewarding trekking experience. No greater or more dramatic destination can be imagined than the incomparable city of Rome. This eight-day tour culminates with a visit to the Eternal City and its wealth of world heritage sites. The beginning of the trek takes in the town of Orvieto, passing many remnants of Italy’s past, as well as vast groves of olive trees and vineyards. (Suggested Tour: Walking from Orvieto to Rome)
The trek from Assisi to Orvieto takes in some of the lush greenery that sets the region apart from much of Italy. This is the landscape that inspired painters, poets and mystics, and it will inspire the intrepid trekkers who walk in the footsteps of artists and saints. The six-day trek includes anything from ancient fortresses, basilicas, and cathedrals to quaint villages and open fields. (Suggested Tour: Walking from Assisi to Orvieto)
Walking in Apulia
The land in Apulia is composed of softly undulating countryside and the distinctive architecture of the region makes deeply rewarding trekking. Family farms marry with stunning views of the Mediterranean, while whitewashed villages contrast with the lazy, cloud-studded sky. A trek through this region offers comparatively easy walking conditions while delivering an array of sights that keep monotony at bay. The trek from Alberobello to Vieste includes a pilgrimage trail studded with cathedrals and culminates with the unparalleled vision of Vieste jutting out into the sea. (Suggested Tour: Apulia the Mediterranean Garden)
The trip from Puglia to Matera cannot fail to delight. This fertile red earth welcomed the Greeks and traders from the Orient. That rich culture can still be felt today in the World Heritage site of Matera. This seven-day trek promises a wonderful blend of cultural enrichment and easy terrain. (Suggested Tour: Apulia and Matera)
Walking in the Italian Alps
The jagged peaks of the Italian Alps are softened by the clarity of deep mountain lakes. This challenging but rewarding trek is accessible to most skill levels and the beginning of the trip at Lake Como sets the tone for spectacular views, crisp mountain air, delicious food, and memories that are guaranteed to last a lifetime. The trek includes a boat trip and castle tour, and ends in Menaggio, where trekkers can soak in the supreme natural beauty. (Suggested Tour: Walking tour of the Lake Como)
