7 great walks across Italy

Italy is an ideal destination to explore on foot, with beautiful mountains, lakes and forests criss-crossed with hiking trails. Plus plenty of pretty towns to spend the night in.

Here are seven of the most scenic and special walking trails in Italy.

Sentiero della Pace (The Path of Peace)

The Sentiero della Pace (path of peace) crosses northern Italy’s valleys and mountains, offering panoramic views of the Italian lakes. It runs from the Passo del Tonale (Tonale Pass) to the Marmolada (the highest mountain of the Dolomites). And also connects several significant sites from World War I, like crumbling fortifications and historic battlefields. You can tailor the 500 km-long trail to your desires and ability, with easy options as well as challenging paths for more experienced mountaineers. Have a barbecue in the garden after a long day’s walking at Maso Tobel Riva del Garda, a farm stay located en route and on the shores of Lake Garda.

Via di Francesco (The way of Saint Francis)

Though it’s traditionally a pilgrimage, you don’t have to be religious or spiritual to appreciate the Via di Francesco (way of St Francis). Following in the footsteps of St Francis of Assisi in the 13th century, the route follows an ancient Roman road from Florence to Rome, finishing at the Vatican. Passing hilltop chapels visited by St Francis, through olive groves, vineyards and the undulating Umbrian landscape, you’ll be enjoying some of Europe’s most idyllic scenery. Although the terrain and occasional steep inclines make the trail relatively demanding, you’ll be rewarded with peace and natural beauty. Plus, the chance to visit picture-perfect towns like Assisi, Gubbio and Spello. Spend a night at the peach-coloured Country House Poggio Fiorito just outside Assisi, with an outdoor pool and patio for relaxing and resting your weary legs.

Via Francigena

The Via Francigena (road from France) is a well-known trail from Canterbury to Rome but most modern pilgrims do just the final section, passing through seven Italian regions. You may well not want to complete the entire Italian part of the route, though it can also be attempted by bike or on horseback. Some of its most scenic stretches traverse Tuscany, taking in the sight of various hilltop towns – from the castles of Colle di Val d’Elsa to the fifteen towers of 13th-century San Gimignano. Check into Antico Borgo De’ Frati in San Gimignano and enjoy the property’s vineyard-cloaked valley views.

Via della transumanza (The path of transhumance)

If you prefer to go slightly off the beaten track, the Via della transumanza is a lesser-known walking trail that dates back to ancient Italian pastoral culture. This journey follows the route that shepherds took in search of better pastures for their livestock, crossing the hilly regions of Eastern Mezzogiorno and forming a network of migrating paths known as ‘tratturi’. One of the most famous is the Tratturo Magno, connecting L’Aquila to Foggia and passing verdant valleys and sites like the fortified medieval city of Termoli. Don’t miss the chance to experience an ‘albergo diffuso’, a concept launched in Italy in the 1980s whereby a hotel’s rooms are spread throughout different buildings within a small community. One such accommodation along the Via della transumanza is the Residenza Sveva, a B&B located in the historic centre of Termoli.

Sentiero del Brigante (Brigand’s Trail)

Once used by bandits and fugitives around the time of Roman colonisation, Sentiero del Brigante (Brigand’s Trail) mountain path follows the Calabrian Apennines ridge. Walk through the Stilaro Valley, with its fast-flowing river and Byzantine monasteries. And soak your feet in the pools of the Cascata del Marmarico, the highest waterfall in the Southern Apennines. The complete trail is 120 km-long and – depending on your pace – takes between six to eight days on foot. Stay at Civico 64 Bed & Breakfast in the small, seaside town of Palmi on the way.

Magna Via Francigena

The Magna Via Francigena has a history that dates back millennia; it’s a path that’s been trodden by Normans, Romans and millions of pilgrims and travellers crossing the island of Sicily. Recently reopened, it’s now possible to walk this ancient trail again, though you may want to just select a few stages, as the entire route covers 180 km. Heading off the designated route, you’ll get to see sun-baked plains of orange trees, beautiful frescoes, characteristically-Sicilian villages, mountains and unblemished beaches. Stop outside the capital of Palermo in the town of Corleone, to spend a night at Il Bevaio di Corleone. Here, luxurious wooden bungalows offer views of the rocky hills from floor-to-ceiling windows.

Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara (Mining Way Of Santa Barbara)

This 400 km-long, circular route in southern Sardinia is dedicated to the Patron Saint of Miners, following the island’s traditional mining trails to historical and religious sites and towns. The route explores the Sulcis-Iglesiente area (which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and has 24 stops, with one of the most spectacular being Masua beach. Here, you’ll find tunnels carved into the cliffs and old silos which once contained minerals to be loaded onto steamboats. Check out the view from the Pan di Zucchero, a 132 metre-high white calcareous rock stack emerging from the sea. Stay at Sa Corti De Sa Perda Piscinas for its views of the countryside around Piscinas.