The Most Scenic Hiking Trails And Excursions To Explore In Italy, According To Adventurers

Italy boasts heaps of creamy pastas and cheese-riddled pizzas, but the land of all things Dolce Vita offers more than just amazing food. It is one of the world's best destinations for avid hikers, thanks to a tradition of pedestrian trails that can be traced back to the Romans. Visitors can enjoy everything from seaside walking paths to intense multi-day treks that will take them from one side of the country to the other. As seasoned travel writers and outdoor adventure seekers, we were able to find some of the best hikes in Italy.

Using our research skills, we conducted a deep dive into sites like Google Maps, Tripadvisor, and AllTrails. This information helped us to identify which Italian paths are worth your time. With the aid of user reviews, we narrowed down our recommendations to unique destinations. Each was selected for traits like gorgeous views and proximity to other tourist sites.

These days, Italy is known as the country of Fiats and Ferraris. But long before the invention of the car, Italians would travel from town to town on challenging footpaths. To get a taste of what it was like to hike between old-fashioned villages, take a hike on the Sentiero dei Saraceni. Located on the island of Sicily, about one hour from Catania, this old stone road twists through the rocky area connecting the towns of Taormina and Castelmora. Although it makes for a short 2.5-mile out-and-back, the Sentiero dei Saranceni provides hikers with breathtaking scenery. As you walk, expect to gaze down at charming hillside dwellings and the cerulean sea.

Because this walk is so beautiful, you may want to extend it. Previous adventurers say it's quite easy to keep walking even after completing the trail. Writing on Google Reviews, one hiker reported, "Can be extended with a short section of road towards [in-between] to reach Chiesa Madonna della Rocca via the second trail on Salita al Castello down to Taormina old town. Takes [perhaps] 90 min altogether." A past visitor who took this route also explained on Google Reviews that it was possible to finish the walk at Isola Bella. They then added, "We returned by the cable car/gondola. A really nice route, great way to see the place, just stick on some decent footwear."

The Italian Dolomites are known for their scrumptious cheeses and slick ski slopes, but that doesn't mean the region isn't perfect for hiking. With its sky-high peaks and rugged terrain, this mountain range offers some of the most challenging trails around. Folks who are truly interested in chasing views, however, should check out the Tre Cime di Lavaredo trail. Situated in the heart of the iconic Tre Cime Nature Park, this 6.2-mile loop will enchant you with its picturesque landscapes. As one hiker put it on AllTrails, "360 degree views the entire trail. There is a water bottle fill station about 4/5 miles in. The wildflowers are like rainbow sprinkles on mountains of gelato."

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the beauty of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo trail is a major draw for explorers from all over the world. As a result, it is necessary to reserve a parking spot at the trailhead before you set out on your adventure. Describing this system on Tripadvisor, one former visitor explained: "Parking onsite is now by online reservation. make sure you select your desired time entry (car plate is used as ID) and pay 40e for 12h parking before coming." While this price may be steep, hikers say there's a simple explanation for why people are willing to pay to hike the Tre Cime di Lavaredo: It is simply stunning.

Venice may be one of the most famous cities in the world, but it's also one of the most crowded. Over the years, this Italian gem has become so jam-packed with tourists that many travelers find it overwhelming. Enter Monte Cinto. Situated nearly four hours away from Venice by train, this lush green mountain is the perfect place to spend a few days unwinding after your Venetian vacation. While there are plenty of places to hike in the area, the 3-mile-long Sentiero del Monte Cinto No. 11 is top-ranked for its enjoyable atmosphere.

Previous visitors note that the trail provides plenty of entertainment for children, even though the terrain is a bit challenging for the younger ones. Describing their No. 11 experience on Google Reviews, one hiker shared, "We carried our 2yr old and our 4yr old hiked most of what we climbed. We climbed maybe 3/4 of the way to the top and the view was fantastic. Our 4 year old loved the dinosaurs, and actually gasped when he saw the t-rex type one!" All in all, this is one of the best hikes in Italy for folks looking to get away from Venice. If you're planning to hike with little ones, be sure to bring a baby carrier as opposed to a stroller because the path is bumpy.

It's easy to make mistakes when visiting Lake Como in Italy. Chief among these errors? Forgetting to hike the Salita San Donato stairs between the towns of Como and Brunate. The steps are located on the outer edge of Como — less than a mile from the city center. They lead 2.4 miles up the hill to Brunate, where hikers can enjoy panoramic views of Lake Como and the villages nestled all around it. Reflecting on their time on the trail, one explorer wrote on Google Reviews, "Great hike! The path is well maintained, and even on a Saturday it was not too crowded! Athletic shoes and clothing are recommended, as the hike is quite steep—would not recommend for beginners or young children."

Due to the vertical nature of this trail, some visitors found it way too challenging. That being said, there exists a great alternative for those who cannot make it up the steps. The Como-Brunate Funicular Railway runs between the two towns every 15 minutes, allowing non-hikers to experience the views over the lake. If you are traveling with a larger group, it might be a good idea for some members to hike the steps while others take the railway, as both journeys lead to the same spectacular viewpoint. As one explorer wrote on Tripadvisor after taking the funicular, "Views are really amazing with [the] entire city, western mountains across and Lake Como to the north."

If you're itching to hike for days on end, you should consider tackling the Via di Francesco route. Comparable to hiking the Pacific Crest or Appalachian Trail, this multi-day path will take you deep into the Italian interior. You can begin your trek either in Rome or in Florence, but regardless of which trailhead you choose, your journey will culminate in the charming town of Assisi. 

Of course, anyone who wants to extend their adventure can walk both sections of the trail — first from Florence to Assisi and then on to Rome. This route spans 322 miles and can take a month to complete. Writing on Adelaide Bush Walkers, one hiker who completed the full route gushed, "Bellissimo – what more can one say. The walk bounced up and down the Apennines along the centre of Italy through many little villages and towns, each as pretty as the next."

Adventurers who have taken on this path in the past say that it pushed them mentally and physically. Since the route aims to follow in the footsteps of St. Francis, many hikers describe this walk as a spiritual journey. As one explorer put it on the Magnificent World blog, "The entire experience was great, strong and magical. I met very few people along the way, and this meant that I could really walk it alone and have plenty of time to talk and listen to myself." 

Enjoying Italian food often requires knowing how to navigate Italy's dining culture, and on the Amalfi Coast, this means ordering dishes with lots of lemons. And what better way to add some zest to your culinary adventures than by hiking the delightful Sentiero dei Limoni trail? Located just 20 minutes from the town of Amalfi, the Sentiero dei Limoni winds over cliffs and through lemon groves — giving hikers a deep understanding of the Amalfi Coast's agrarian side. 

The path itself is fairly short, spanning approximately 2.1 miles from the trailhead to its end, and takes just an hour to complete. That being said, many adventurers find themselves losing track of time on this journey due to all the lemon tastings that greet them along the way. Sharing their experience on Tripadvisor, one hiker wrote, "Make sure to stop at the groves that offer tastings, you can then get entry to their gardens. Had some awesome sorbet, and 'lemonade' which is unsweetened."

If you're in the mood for a longer hike, simply walk the trail as a 4.2-mile out-and-back. One explorer who took this route recommended taking your time to savor the experience. "There are about 400 steps up but it is all paved stone, steep in parts and then more gradual, very doable – I'd suggest going when it's cooler, in the morning, and you can pause as needed," they wrote on Tripadvisor.

Siena is one of the most kid-friendly destinations in Italy, and there's a reason why. The activities in this small town appeal to children, whether that means tasting gelato, visiting the Children's Art Museum, or running through the Pecci Garden. Family-friendly day trips from Siena also abound, and there are tons of options for lovers of the great outdoors. Our top pick? A stroll on the gorgeous Sentierelsa Trail, which has the look and feel of a real-life fairy tale pathway.

Located nearly 30 minutes from the center of Siena, the Sentierelsa Trail wanders along the banks of the Elsa River. Here, you will see emerald waters, dramatic waterfalls, and a cool forest full of deep green foliage. Little ones love the mystical vibes fostered by the scenery. As one hiker shared on Google Reviews, "We walked this trail with our child and had a fantastic time! The path is easy enough for kids, and the river crossings on stones and wooden bridges made it feel like a little adventure."

The path is approximately 4 miles out-and-back but can be shortened according to your needs. Families who make it to the end of the trail, however, will benefit from a special treat, as a natural swimming pool awaits them. One adventurer summed it up on Google Reviews: "Beautiful walk alongside river with most beautiful colours with refreshing waterfall with swimming area at the end of the trail [sic]."

The best hike in Italy for checking out a medieval town's coastline might just be the Giro Gaeta trail. This 4.7-mile loop will take you through the historic streets of the Mount Orlando Nature Park. As you walk, expect to see caves, cliffs, and cute old buildings. Previous explorers recommend bringing a camera along on your adventure. Per one Google Reviews post, "A must visit place if you are into walks and photography. Superb view over the beautiful town of Gaeta."

Photographers aren't the only ones who love this spot. The Giro Gaeta is amazing for anyone trying to escape the chaos of Italy's tourist season. Additionally, located two hours from Naples and two and a half hours from Rome, this trail is the ideal destination for a relaxing day trip. In the words of a second past visitor on Google Reviews, "One of my favorite places in the world. Surrounded by the busy tourism of Italy, Monte Orlando is an oasis of peace. Whether you're interested in nature, exercise, history, destressing, the amazing views of Gaeta from every angle, or all of the above, you will find it all here."

When you picture Rome, what images come to mind? Chances are, you thought of old stone buildings and ancient ruins — not a rocky trail winding through a lush forest filled with creeks and waterfalls. Whatever stereotypes most visitors have about Rome, the truth is that the Italian capital is located less than an hour from a stunning nature park with all of the above and more. Indeed, Parco di Veio makes the perfect day trip from Rome, and the Formello Millstone path is an awesome way to explore its premises. At just over a mile in length, the Formello Millstone only takes two hours to walk. However, there are plenty of sights to see on the trail, including pretty waterfalls and the fascinating ruins of the ancient town of Grotte Franca.

Foreign visitors find the Parco di Veio and its system of trails incredibly easy to navigate. As one person wrote on Google Reviews, "Beautiful and huge park. We are supposed to do hiking that is more adventurous but decided to take the shortest trail. Nevertheless its super nice, calm and easy to find." Another hiker added on Google Reviews, "Great place for beginners starting to get on hiking trails ... You'll never get lost because you can just [take] the river stream or the trail ..." Overall, the Formello Millstone is one of the best places to hike in Italy for casual walkers.

When Ulysses fell prey to the song of the sirens, the Greco-Roman gods ran down to the Amalfi Coast to save him. In their wake, they left a tremendous mountain path — or at least, that's according to centuries of mythology. Regardless of what the ancients believed, though, we cannot deny that the 4.34-mile trail that starts in the village of Agerola is so beautiful that it seems otherworldly. Snaking above oceanside cliffs and reaching 2,065 feet into the clouds, the trail more than deserves its name: The Path of the Gods.

Adventurers warn that the trail is not easy. Both the terrain and the elevation can make it tricky to conquer. As one hiker shared on Google Reviews, "Moderate to difficult hike but worth the sweat. The scenery is incredible, and no pictures can describe the surreal beauty of this area. Just a word of caution, rather avoid if you don't handle heights well." Those who are willing to face the challenge head-on, though, are rewarded in spades. A second explorer wrote on Google Reviews, "This was our favorite hike while we were in Italy. The views are spectacular! ... The trail is well marked and you'll have plenty of company on your walk." This is one of the best hikes in Italy for exploring the coast from up high.

Because Italy is a country with diverse landscapes, it was really important for us to compile a list of trails that reflected this geographic variety. For this reason, we selected destinations from different parts of the country. If the Tre Cime di Lavaredo trail highlights the best of the Dolomites, then the stairs from Como to Brunate showcase the beauty of the Lakes Region. While the Sentiero dei Saraceni follows the Sicilian Coast, the Path of the Gods shows off the stunning cliffs of the Amalfi Coast. The Via di Francesco, meanwhile, takes visitors on the 322-mile journey from Florence to Rome, allowing them to experience the pastoral scenes of the countryside. Thus, we covered many of the major areas of Italian geology.

Since we aimed to uncover the best hikes in Italy for travelers, we wanted to select trails that were relatively accessible from some of the country's most famous tourist spots. With this in mind, we chose the Formello Millstone trail and the Giro Gaeta — both doable day trips from Rome. The Sentierelsa Trail is so close to Siena that travelers to the town can easily make a morning or afternoon out of it. The Monte Cinto region's location near Venice makes it easy for adventurers to tack it onto the end of a Venetian vacation. Like the Path of the Gods, the Sentiero dei Limoni is an integral part of any hiking trip on the Amalfi Coast.