Best trekking routes in Italy: from the Dolomites in the Alps to Sicily

You may be interested in: The best trekking routes in Europe "

Italy offers wonderful opportunities for walking and trekking. From the Maritime Alps to the Dolomites, the Italian Alps are criss-crossed by GR routes and Alta Via trails. And if you are looking for peace and quiet, you can wander around the lake region of Lombardy. It contrasts these mountainous regions with the landscape of the Tuscany y Umbriawith its ancient pilgrimage routes and artistic heritage, the high and challenging Apennine mountain range, the colourful Cinque Terrethe fragrant cliffs and lemon groves of the Amalfi Coastand the sandy beaches and the ever-burning Mount Etna on Sicily. To help you plan your adventure in Italy, here are the best excursions:

At a glance:

• Long Distance Routes in Italy "
• Alps "
• Cinque Terre "
• Amalfi Coast "
• Umbria: the "Green Heart" of Italy "
• Apennines "
• Tuscany "
• Sicily "
• Sardinia "

Alps "

The Italian Alpine arc offers many opportunities for hiking and trekking, from the Dolomites to the foothills of Mont Blanc.

Dolomites".

• Extensive mountain range of the north-eastern Italy consisting of more than 20 peaks above 3000m. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hiking is an ideal way to discover this impressive landscape of angular peaks, towering pinnacles and steep ridges.

• From mid from June to the end of SeptemberThe snow can remain on the higher passes well into July. Snow can remain on the higher passes well into July. Huts are open from late June to late September.
• The path around the Three Tops of Lavaredo (also known as the Three Zinnen) is a must for hikers. Other must-do routes are the Circular Cinque Torri or excursions to lakes such as Lago Di Braies or Lago Di Sorapis.
• The High Dolomite Route (Alta Via 1 and Alta Via 2) traverses the Dolomites from north to south, reaching as far as the Austrian border. There are a variety of 2-4 day circular routes that take advantage of the hut network. It can be common for some of the routes to involve climbing and some exposure.

Stelvio National Park "

• The Stelvio National Park borders the Dolomites to the east and Switzerland to the west, and stretches across the four provinces of Trento, Bolzano, Brescia and Sondrio. The imposing Ortler-Cevedale GroupThe Stelvio National Park, which rises to 3,905 m, is home to a hundred glaciers that lie on the 50 km long and 40 km wide mountain massif.

• When to go? End of June to October. The weather tends to be milder than in other parts of the Italian Alps, but we are in a high mountain region.
• It has a wide variety of hikes and routes, with well-maintained and well-marked trails linking a network of picturesque villages and cosy mountain refuges. The trail Goldseewegthe beak Hintere Schöntaufspitze and the path of the Solda Glacier are some of the most popular routes. Hiking through the Martelltal/Val Martello valley to the Lyfi Alm (2,164 m) and Soy Alm (2,072 m) huts or to the Zufallhütte hut (2,265 m) are more demanding. The Martelltal Valley Panorama Trail and the impressive Martelltal Valley High Mountain Trail offer fantastic views of the surrounding mountains. The Ortler Massif is surrounded by high mountain circuits such as The Ortler high mountain route 7 days.

Lombardy: the region of lakes "

• The charm of Lombardy's landscapes: the lakes unite suggestive ancient villages, monasteries and castles, characteristic towns and superb villas. You cannot miss exploring this exceptional landscape, the sights and the culture of the Italian Lakes.

• From spring to autumn are the best, although the mild climate of the lakes makes them suitable for walking all year round. 

• There are interesting walks through the beautiful lakes Lagos di Como, Maggiore, Garda". and Iseo. Wayfarer's Path on the shores of Lake Como. From easy lakeside walks to challenging mountain peaks. Well-marked trails take you away from the crowds to visit small villages, historic towns and picturesque islands. Excursions can be made throughout the year.

Natural Park of the Alpes-Maritimes".

• This Italian national park lies just across the border from the Mercantour National Park in France. The Alpes Maritimes, which rise more than 3,000 metres above the sunny French Riviera, form the western edge of the mighty Alpine chain.

• From mid from June to the end of September the trails are free of snow and the huts are open. In October you will find the mountains lonely.
• Grand Crossing of the Alpes-Maritimes19 days, from the great walls and lakes of the Argentera massif to the karst pastures and plateaus of the Margheri, passing through the Mediterranean landscape and the ancient villages of the Riviera dei Fiori. L'Alta Via dei Re It winds in seven stages at high altitude, through the Argentera massif, surrounded by peaks of over 3,000 metres, from Sant'Anna di Valdieri and ends at San Giacomo di Entracque.
• Among the most popular excursions are the one on the lower lake of the Sella and the Livio Bianco RefugeThe circuit of the lakes through the refuges of Valasco and Questa or the circuit of the Fremamorta Lakes.

Cinque Terre "

• Stunningly beautiful, this UNESCO World Heritage-listed coastline is a dream destination for walkers (and foodies). Walk Italy's stunning Cinque Terre, with routes in and around the five famous fishing villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.

• When to go? Spring (April to June) and autumn (September and October), avoiding the summer heat, are the best times for walking, but also the busiest. Winter can be magical and quiet.

• The popular Sentiero Verde Azzurro from Monterosso to Vernazza to Corniglia to Manarola to Riomaggiore. This excursion of 2 km and 5 hours of duration is the most known and classic among the excursions of Cinque Terre: it allows to visit the five villages of Cinque Terre and to cross splendid environments of the coast. A magnificent higher traverse leads you through Campiglia and charming Portovenere.

Amalfi Coast "

• A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Amalfi Coast is a 50 km stretch of coastline on the southern coast of Italy, located near Naples. The coast is dotted with brightly coloured villages.

• When to goAll year round, although summer can be a bit hot. Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are probably the best months.
• Excursions in this area will help you get to know this beautiful coast and its villages, from Amalfi, Sorrento, Positano and Monti Lattari, and the idyllic islands of Capri and Ischia. The region is criss-crossed by ancient bridle paths and pilgrimage routes, which offer a wide variety of walks, from family strolls to strenuous hikes. Highlights include routes such as the The path of the gods or the least travelled Tre Calli Circuit.

Umbria: the "Green Heart" of Italy "

• Known as the "green heart" of Italy, the Umbria region is home to rolling hills that reach as far as the Apennines and the Sibillini mountains, as well as ancient villages, Roman and Etruscan ruins, dense forests and nature reserves.

• When to goFrom spring to autumn, but possible all year round, except in mountainous areas in winter, where snow is common.

• The excursions They pass through flower meadows, down river valleys and also climb the steep hills and mountains of the Apennines, visiting Roman and Etruscan ruins as well as countless ancient villages. La Via Di Francesco crosses the region visiting the key places in the life of the saint.

Apennines

Abruzzo "

• Abruzzo, a wild region of Italy in which we can find the national parks of Abruzzo, Maiella and Gran Sasso and the regional park Sirente-Velino. Abruzzo is a wild and beautiful region of Italy, a spectacular and harmonious mix of snow-capped mountains, grassy plains and wooded canyons; of hillside olive groves, vineyards and long sandy beaches. 

• Most routes are accessible from May to October. Summer can be hot, but late snowfalls can extend the season into November.

• We can enjoy a variety of excursions, including the ascent of Corno Grande, the highest point of the Apennine Mountains in peninsular Italy, and routes along the Val di Rose and the Prati di Tivo.

Sibylline Mountains "

• The Sibylline Mountains are part of the central Apennines, stretching between the Marche and Umbria. The Sibillini National Park is an ideal place for hiking and trekking. Little known to foreign visitors, they offer interesting colourful areas, canyons that cut into the mountain slopes, accessible ridges with breathtaking views and more than 50 peaks, many of them over 2,000 metres high.

• When to go? The area has a long trekking season, from early spring to late autumn. Huts are open from mid-April to mid-October.

• We find everything from short hikes to long-distance trails such as the Grande Anello dei Sibillini8 days of walking to tackle 120 km along the central Apennines.

Tuscany "

• Tuscany is rightly renowned for its glorious landscapes. You'll find routes that follow historic trails used by traders, pilgrims and armies, taking in the Renaissance splendour of Florence and Siena, the World Heritage-listed landscapes of Val d'Orcia and San Gimignano, and the stunning island of Elba.

• When to go? Tuscany's mild climate makes it suitable all year round: spring and autumn can be spectacular.

• At Val d'Orcia and San GimignanoThe wild peaks of the Apuan and Apennine mountains, the little-known Montalbano and Pratomagno, the Chianti hills and the landscapes declared World Heritage Sites. In the National Park of Casentino about Arezzo: medieval hamlets, Medici villas, Renaissance towns, Etruscan remains, unspoilt coasts, natural parks, magnificent forests and monasteries.

Sicily "

• Sicily is a very interesting hiking destination. Interesting and varied terrain, including river valleys, coastal walks, ancient ruins, volcanoes and mountain peaks.

• When to goMarch to June is best; summers are too hot for walking; early autumn is pleasant, but late autumn is the wettest time of the year.

• We find interesting routes, from short hikes to long mountain traverses, along the different areas of Sicily, including the Madonie and Nebrodi mountains, the Egadi and Aeolian islands and the Mount Etna.

Sardinia "

• The island of Sardinia is located in the Mediterranean Sea, off the west coast of Italy and south of the Mediterranean Sea. Corsica. It has long attracted visitors to its beaches, but what about its rugged and spectacular mountains and cliffs? 

• When to go? Spring is the best season because of the mild climate, and the island is in bloom; autumn is also good; summer tends to be too hot.

• Explore the north-east of Sardinia, through Gennargentu, Ogliastra and Barbaglia, from the mountains in the centre of the island to the rugged eastern coastline of cliffs. The island, away from the hustle and bustle of sun and sand, in its most remote places and on the spectacular cliff-top coast, has countless routes that will delight you with their landscapes.

Long Distance Routes in Italy

• Grand Apennines Trek, or Grande Escursione Appenninica (GEA)". Through Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna and 2 national parks, this 400 km trail, which can be covered in 23 days, runs through the mountains, forests and hills of central Italy.

• The Via Di Francesco: From Florence to Assisi and Rome". A month-long pilgrimage route of 550 km, starting in Florence and ending in the Vatican City, following in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi.

• Grande Traversata delle Alpi (GTA)". 633 km, 47 days, the Grande Traversata delle Alpi is a spectacular alpine route through the Western Italian Alps crossing the Ligurian, Maritime, Cozumel, Graiosos and Pennine Alps to finish near Monte Rosa.

• High Route of the Dolomites: Alta Via 1 and Alta Via 2". The Alta Via routes cross the Dolomites from north to south and reach the Austrian border. The AV1 covers 120 km in 11 days and is ideal for beginners in alpine trekking, while the AV2 covers 160 km in 13 days and is more physically and technically demanding.

Other places:

• Magdalen Archipelago
• Gulf of Orosei - Gennargentu