Simply lovely! Beautiful hikes, stunning location and a great guide!
Hiking in Italy
Our Best Italy Hiking Tours
Top 5 Italy Hiking Tours
1. Walking the Amalfi Coast: With some of the world’s most dramatic coastlines and most photographed villages, the Amalfi Coast is a bucket-list destination for many. You’ll hike along ancient hillsides studded with lemon groves and overlooking the crystal clear Mediterranean, visiting Positano, Ravello, and Amalfi as you explore the Bay of Naples. Experience the eerie wonder of Pompeii against the backdrop of the imposing Mount Vesuvius, and walk the iconic Path of the Gods, and then spend your evenings at the family-run Hotel Due Torri in peaceful Bomerano. With over 20 years’ experience operating this trip, we’ve got a local’s knowledge of the very best of Amalfi, and we can’t wait to share it with you. This seven-night hiking tour is rated leisurely/moderate and includes four days of guided hiking, plus a sightseeing day and a free day with the option to take a boat to Capri, visit Naples, or Herculaneum.
2. Classic Dolomites: The Dolomites, a majestic mountain range in northern Italy, captivate with their distinctive pale limestone peaks, jagged spires, and expansive alpine meadows. Designated a UNESCO-listed World Heritage site, the Dolomites offer a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, featuring iconic trails, charming alpine villages, and breathtaking vistas that make it a premier destination for hiking and climbing. On this premium hiking tour, you’ll stay at the wonderful historic Hotel Adler, a 400-year-old building that epitomizes the proud Tyrolean heritage of the area, and spend your days exploring the Fanes-Sennes and Dolomiti di Sesto National Parks for great views of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. This tour is offered at both moderate and challenging intensity levels, with five days of center-based hiking and a free day to relax in the hotel’s indulgent spa, visit a local museum, or take a self-guided cycle through the area.
3. Walk the Prosecco Hills & Hidden Venice:In the shadow of the Dolomites, the UNESCO-listed Prosecco Hills produce some of the world’s most popular sparkling wine. This incredible tour takes you along the Prosecco Road, the oldest wine route in Italy, in search of delicious regional cuisine and bubbly. You’ll visit the best local producers, relax in hilltop Asolo, discover the First World War history of Monte San Giorgio, and spend an unforgettable day touring Venice and even learn the secrets of gondola from a master carpenter-artist. This seven-night leisurely hiking tour includes five days of center-based trekking as well as a free day to explore Treviso, Padua or Conegliano.
4. Chianti Walking & Wine: Another of Italy’s renowned wine regions, southern Tuscany is the perfect place for a relaxing guided hiking vacation. You’ll visit the Renaissance cities of Florence and Siena, discover medieval villages, and wander through cypress-lined vineyards during your days, and in the evenings you’ll unwind at the welcoming family-run Hotel La Renaie. Of course there is plenty of local wine to sample, as well as opportunities to learn more during an interactive course at the Tuscan Wine School. This seven-night leisurely/moderate hiking tour includes five days of gentle treks mixed with plenty of sightseeing and culinary indulgence.
5. Walks of the Cinque Terre and Portofino: For the best of the Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre’s stunning coastline is the ideal destination. From the seaside town of Moneglia, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, you’ll explore the colorful towns of Liguria while hiking some of the most iconic trails in Italy. As you venture through rolling hills and dramatic coastal paths, you’ll discover the Gulf of the Poets, the bay of Portofino, Cinque Terre National Park, and even an internationally-acclaimed taverna. It’s a perfect introduction to Italy. This seven-night, moderate intensity hiking tour includes five days of trekking plus a free day to explore nearby Portovenere or Genova.
lewis Salt Walking the Amalfi Coast
Ruth Clarke Walking the Amalfi CoastThis holiday definitely maybe the perfect mix. There was challenging walking on the Path of the Gods along the beautiful Amalfi coast. Next we were off exploring the impressive historic remains of Pompeii and Herculaneum and daring the crater edge at Vesuvius. Happily immersing ourselves in the food and culture of the region, we were treated to artisan cheese making, cookery demonstrations and participation, limoncello tasting with the expert, and time to enjoy a gelato or three in the sunshine under the bluest November skies. It was even warm enough for a refreshing swim in the sea after conquering all the steps down to Amalfi and again at pretty Positano. The boat ride from Positano was a brilliant way to see all the villages from the sea. Add in glorious Ravello, its wonderful gardens and the breathtaking views from the path down to lovely Atrani, with a little Escher art tour as an added bonus to complete the picture. With our superb, expert guide Veriano and the warmest hotel staff you could wish for, our group of strangers quickly became a team of friends, laughing and singing our way through an extremely enjoyable excursion in Italy.
What are the best hiking regions in Italy?
Italy boasts diverse and breathtaking hiking regions, each offering a unique and captivating experience. The Dolomites are renowned for their towering peaks, dramatic landscapes, and challenging trails, attracting seasoned hikers. The Amalfi Coast provides a stunning contrast with its coastal paths, offering panoramic sea views, postcard-perfect villages, and lush terraced hillsides. Tuscany, famous for its rolling hills and vineyards, invites hikers to explore charming medieval towns along scenic routes. Cinque Terre enchants with its cliffside trails, colorful villages, and azure sea vistas. The Prosecco Hills offer idyllic hikes through one of the best wine regions in the world. In Puglia, you’ll find fairytale-like houses, picturesque farmland, and quaint villages, while Sardinia is one of the wildest and most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean. From alpine adventures to seaside strolls, Italy’s hiking regions cater to a spectrum of preferences and fitness levels.
Is hiking in Italy difficult?
Italian trails range in difficulty, accommodating both beginner and experienced hikers. When you select the Exodus tour that is the best fit for you, take note of the activity level rating. These ratings range from leisurely to tough and take into account the length of the trek, trail conditions, level of support, altitude, and more.
Many of our Italian destinations offer tours at different activity levels, so that no matter your experience or fitness level, there is a trip that is perfect for you. By selecting the tour that aligns with your fitness level, you’ll ensure that your Italian hiking vacation is just the right amount of a challenge, and isn’t too difficult to manage.
FAQs on Italy Hiking Tours
When is the best time to hike in Italy?
Italy is beautiful year round, with each season offering its own unique charms. While July and August are the warmest and sunniest, they are also the busiest months of the year, and popular destinations usually draw bigger crowds in these summer months. Winter brings cooler temperatures and lighter crowds, but rainfall which can be a hindrance, especially for mountain hiking.
Spring and fall are usually the best seasons to visit Italy, as there are fewer tourists and comfortable temperatures, but still plenty of sunshine. Italy is especially beautiful during May and June, when the landscapes are carpeted with wildflowers, and in October, when the grape harvest creates a buzz of excitement in its wonderful wine regions.
How to prepare for my hiking tour in Italy?
Once you’ve selected your destination and booked your tour, it’s time to prepare for your hiking adventure. Review your specific tour’s trip notes for lots of details about essential equipment, joining instructions, and even information on the typical weather in the region. You’ll also find information on the activity level, which you can use to guide your fitness preparations. It’s helpful to begin a regular exercise routine leading up to your trip, focusing on cardiovascular fitness and strengthening key muscle groups like your legs and core. Check out our walking & trekking fitness guide for more advice on how to prepare physically for your trip.
Can I travel solo on an Italian hiking trip?
At Exodus, our trips are designed to foster a community of like-minded explorers, and whether you join a tour solo or with a partner, friend, or family member, you’ll be welcomed with open arms. In fact, roughly fifty percent of our adult travelers are traveling solo. Small-group tours are ideal for traveling solo but not alone, offering the comfort and security of experienced guides and fellow travelers to share the journey with.
It’s our policy to never charge a single supplement for our group tours, and we allow you the option of sharing a room with another traveler of the same gender, or for an additional cost you can have your own room.
What should I expect on an Italian hiking tour?
Each tour at Exodus is designed to immerse you in your destination. Our goal is for you to fall in love with the country, so we introduce you to a rich blend of history, culture and scenery. On an Italian hiking tour, you’ll spend time exploring the landscape and soaking in the sights and sounds on the trails, and between treks you’ll indulge in incredible cuisine, visit iconic landmarks and hidden gems, and engage with the local culture. Your expert guide will ensure that every step of the way is a memorable one, and the small group size guarantees an adventure filled with off-the-beaten-path sites that can’t accommodate larger tours. It’s the best way to experience authentic Italy.
What is the most famous Italian hike?
Italy has many world-renowned hiking trails, each offering a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural richness. In the Dolomites, Tre Cime is the most famous loop, where hikers are treated to panoramic views of jagged peaks and lush valleys. The Amalfi Coast’s Path of the Gods is another world-famous hike, offering a dramatic coastal trek with stunning vistas of the Tyrrhenian Sea and charming villages. The Cinque Terre trail, a UNESCO-listed coastal path, winds through the iconic colorful villages along the Ligurian coast and draws visitors from around the world.
Perhaps the most famous trail though is the Tour du Mont Blanc, a mountain hike encircling Europe’s highest peak, which passes through the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps. The Italian portion of the trail has great views of the Mont Blanc range, and passes through Courmayeur, a beautiful traditional alpine village.
Walk the Prosecco Hills with Vania de Paoli
Northern Tuscany with Exodus Travels
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