This boot is made for walking: Italy's best hiking trails and long-distance routes

Have you ever dreamed of spending a week or two walking your way across Italy? Perhaps you've scrolled through photographs of the Dolomites' limestone towers or imagined yourself following ancient pilgrims through Tuscany's cypress-lined paths. Italy's hiking trails offer these moments in abundance, whether you're seeking challenging alpine routes or sun-soaked coastal paths, this guide will help you discover some of this magical country’s best trails and long-distance routes.

The Cinque Terre remains one of the best hiking destinations in Italy, connecting five pastel-coloured fishing villages along Liguria's rugged coastline. These scenic trails wind between Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, offering walkers the perfect blend of coastal beauty and traditional Italian charm. 

Beyond the famous Sentiero Azzurro, quieter paths climb through terraced vineyards and ancient olive groves, revealing sweeping views of rocky coves and the sparkling Mediterranean below. The best hikes in the Cinque Terre take you away from the crowds, where you can truly immerse yourself in the landscape. Walk from village to village, pausing for fresh seafood in harbour-side trattorias, and soak up the warm Italian sun as you traverse cliff-edge paths that have connected these communities for centuries. 

For walkers seeking coastal trails with genuine character, the Cinque Terre delivers an authentic Italian walking experience where the scenery speaks for itself.

The Dolomites offer some of the best hikes in Italy for mountain enthusiasts. These magnificent limestone peaks, awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, provide exhilarating walking through a landscape of jagged summits, pristine alpine meadows and dramatic rock formations. 

What makes the Dolomites truly special is the extensive network of mountain rifugi, traditional mountain huts where you can refuel with hearty South Tyrolean cuisine whilst surrounded by silvery peaks. From leisurely valley walks to challenging ridge routes, the Dolomites provide hiking trails in Italy that cater to every ambition, all against a backdrop of unparalleled alpine grandeur.

Mont Blanc is ideal for walkers who love a serious trail, especially as it’s accompanied by exquisite alpine vistas. From traversing snow-covered paths high in the mountains to wandering across the grassy valleys below, the landscape here is too incredible to be missed. 

Not to mention, keen mountaineers will relish the thought of viewing this magnificent landmark from all sides. Trekking through not only Italy, but Switzerland and France, you’ll experience all of Mont Blanc’s views, angles and terrains as you explore every peak and glacier.

The best hikes on the Amalfi Coast combine stunning sea views with centuries of Italian history. Ancient pathways climb between characterful villages perched on dramatic cliffs, offering walkers spectacular panoramas of azure waters and rugged coastline. 

The famous Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) traverses high above the Mediterranean, revealing why this ranks among Italy's most celebrated walking trails. Stone steps lead through lemon groves and past whitewashed houses tumbling down towards the sea, whilst traditional trattorias provide perfect lunch stops with views that stretch across the Bay of Naples. 

These clifftop trails reward walkers with a different perspective on the Amalfi Coast, away from the coastal roads and into the timeless landscape that has captivated visitors for generations.

The Italian Lakes region provides diverse hiking trails combining tranquil waterside walking with challenging mountain ascents. Lake Como and Lake Maggiore offer walkers the opportunity to traverse ancient paths above dramatic shorelines, with cable cars providing spectacular views across all seven lakes from Mottarone's summit. 

These trails reveal a different side of Italy's lakes, away from the famous villas and gardens. Walk through rolling meadows dotted with wildflowers, then climb to mountain viewpoints where the lakes shimmer below. Medieval villages provide welcome refreshment stops, whilst ferry connections between locations allow you to combine different walking routes. 

The Italian Lakes offer gentler alternatives to alpine hiking whilst still providing magnificent mountain scenery, making them ideal for walkers who appreciate variety in their terrain.

Walk in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims who made their way along the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome. You can criss-cross sections of this historical route in the beautiful region of Tuscany, home to glorious countryside, hilltop towns and olive groves. 

There is plenty for culture vultures to appreciate alongside the pathways in Tuscany, with several notable sights to visit as you journey further. Stop by villages filled with Renaissance architecture, ancient churches and UNESCO sites, all the while admiring the sweeping views of vineyards and cypress trees. 

From Lucca's perfectly preserved walls to Siena's magnificent Piazza del Campo, the Via Francigena connects some of Tuscany's most beautiful locations through quiet pathways that offer respite from tourist crowds.

Italy reveals its true character gradually, one footstep at a time. Whether you're drawn to hikes in the Dolomites with their alpine grandeur or Tuscany's cultural treasures along ancient pilgrimage routes, we'd love to guide your journey. 

Browse our Italian walking holidays today. Because the only difficulty with hiking in Italy, as we see it, is choosing which magnificent trail to follow first.