Italy is about more than just city breaks. The countryside is home to its share of natural beauty, too – and perhaps the best way to take it all in is by taking a stroll along one of the many hiking trails available.
Walking holidays in Italy tend to offer something slightly different from those elsewhere on the continent, with a unique blend of forests, mountains, beaches and culture.
But which scenic trails should Italy-bound hikers be thinking about? Let’s take a look.
The Greenway of Lake Como
If you’re in the vicinity of Lake Como, then you might take a stroll along the western shore, between Colonno and Griante. The scenery is picture perfect, and a favourite of Hollywood location scouts. Once you’re done with the hike, you might try your hand a variety of active pursuits – or you might elect to luxuriate at the lakeside.
The Gran Paradiso Grand Tour
This circular route will take you high into the mountains of the Gran Paradiso National Park, between Aosta Valley and Piedmont. Overall, you’ll be climbing and descending around four thousand metres over the course of four to five days. Suffice to say, you’ll need to be an experienced hiker to even consider this one. The views from up-high, however, make the effort more than worthwhile.
The Path of the Gods
Even those who aren’t that familiar with Italy and its many attractions might have heard of the sun-drenched Amalfi coast. If you’re in this part of the country, then you might head up to one of Italy’s more famous hiking trails: the Path of the Gods. The view from the clifftops is stunning, and on a clear day you’ll be able to see all the way to Capri.
If you’re thinking of making this trip, then it makes sense to do so during off-season. That way, it’ll be pleasantly hot, but not so much that walking becomes a chore. Once you’re done, you can unwind down at the seafront.
The Via degli Dei
This pathway stretches over 130 kilometres, through some of the most beautiful natural splendour on offer in Europe, in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. It’s widely-considered to be divided into five distinct legs, but you can stretch this to six if you’re feeling conservative, or have limited hiking experience. If you’d prefer to cycle, this is a path that can be easily conquered on two wheels – and in much less time.
