Our walking vacations in Italy
Our Italy walking vacations explore some of the most treasured regions of bella Italia without ever contributing to the tourist crush some places can experience. Climb away from the crowds on the Amalfi Coast by visiting tiny mozzarella producers and picnicking under lemon groves. Winemakers will happily reveal all about the grapes they grow in Tuscany as you wind your way between vineyards, before snoozing in country villas and eating at rural restaurants. And you can learn why mountain folk live for winter in the Dolomites, where local snowshoeing guides lead the way to forests heaped with snow – far more fulfilling than blink-and-you’ll-miss-it downhill skiing.
Our top Hiking vacations in Italy
Amalfi Coast walking vacation, Italy
From
US $1680 to US $2310
8 days
ex flights
Walk in lemon groves and hillside villages
Small group2023: 23 Dec, 30 Dec, 2024: 10 Feb, 17 Feb, 24 Feb, 2 Mar, 9 Mar, 16 Mar, 23 Mar, 30 Mar, 6 Apr, 13 Apr, 20 Apr, 27 Apr, 11 May, 18 May, 25 May, 1 Jun, 8 Jun, 15 Jun, 22 Jun, 29 Jun, 6 Jul, 13 Jul, 20 Jul, 27 Jul, 3 Aug, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, 24 Aug, 31 Aug, 7 Sep, 14 Sep, 21 Sep, 28 Sep, 5 Oct, 12 Oct, 19 Oct, 26 Oct, 2 Nov, 9 Nov, 16 Nov, 21 Dec, 28 Dec
Snowshoeing vaction in the Dolomites
From
US $2310 to US $2870
8 days
ex flights
Michelin recommended cuisine & inspiring walks
Small group2023: 19 Dec, 2024: 20 Jan, 27 Jan, 10 Feb, 17 Feb, 24 Feb, 2 Mar, 9 Mar, 16 Mar, 23 Mar
Puglia small group tour, Italy
From
US $2375 to US $2655
8 days
ex flights
Puglia, whitewashed towns, traditional farmland and fine cuisine
Small group2024: 30 Mar, 13 Apr, 18 May, 1 Jun, 15 Jun, 6 Jul, 31 Aug, 7 Sep, 28 Sep, 5 Oct, 12 Oct, 2 Nov
Tuscany tours, walking and wine tasting in Italy
From
US $2445 to US $2725
8 days
ex flights
Walking and wine tasting in Tuscany
Small group2024: 6 Apr, 13 Apr, 20 Apr, 4 May, 11 May, 25 May, 15 Jun, 24 Aug, 31 Aug, 14 Sep, 21 Sep, 28 Sep, 12 Oct, 19 Oct
Prosecco Hills walking vacation, Italy
From
US $1955 to US $2380
8 days
ex flights
The Prosecco Road, Italy’s oldest wine route
Small group2024: 6 Apr, 13 Apr, 20 Apr, 27 Apr, 4 May, 18 May, 25 May, 1 Jun, 8 Jun, 15 Jun, 22 Jun, 29 Jun, 6 Jul, 13 Jul, 31 Aug, 7 Sep, 14 Sep, 21 Sep, 28 Sep, 5 Oct
Piedmont walking vacation, Vineyards of Barolo
From
£2609 to £2739
9 days
inc UK flights
A gastronomic gem quietly tucked away
Tailor made
Cinque Terre walking vacation
From
US $2030 to US $2520
8 days
ex flights
Walk the stunning coastal routes of the Cinque Terre
Small group2024: 27 Apr, 4 May, 11 May, 18 May, 25 May, 1 Jun, 8 Jun, 24 Aug, 31 Aug, 7 Sep, 14 Sep, 28 Sep, 5 Oct
Sicily walking vacation, Sicilian Volcanoes
From
US $2400
8 days
ex flights
Discover Mt Etna and the beautiful volcanic achipelago
Small group2024: 1 Apr, 2 Apr, 3 Apr, 4 Apr, 5 Apr, 6 Apr, 7 Apr, 8 Apr, 9 Apr, 10 Apr, 11 Apr, 12 Apr, 13 Apr, 14 Apr, 15 Apr, 16 Apr, 17 Apr, 18 Apr, 19 Apr, 20 Apr, 21 Apr, 22 Apr, 23 Apr, 24 Apr, 25 Apr, 26 Apr, 27 Apr, 28 Apr, 29 Apr, 30 Apr, 1 May, 2 May, 3 May, 4 May, 5 May, 6 May, 7 May, 8 May, 9 May, 10 May, 11 May, 12 May, 13 May, 14 May, 15 May, 16 May, 17 May, 18 May, 19 May, 20 May, 21 May, 22 May, 23 May, 24 May, 25 May, 26 May ...
Mont Blanc Circuit hiking vacation
From
US $2940 to US $3150
15 days
ex flights
Probably the most dramatic walk in Europe
Small group2024: 15 Jun, 22 Jun, 29 Jun, 13 Jul, 27 Jul, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, 24 Aug, 31 Aug
More about our walking vacations in Italy
Self guided or small group?
Many people, especially those new to walking vacations or traveling solo, prefer the ease and sociability that comes with joining a small group tour. You’ll be accompanied by up to around 14 other hikers, and follow carefully designed routes led by an expert guide. No need for a map. No need for anything, in fact, except to enjoy the exercise, views and fun of making new friends. There are plenty of self guided Italy walking vacations too. These not only give you the flexibility of choosing your own travel dates and accommodation, but let you make routes more or less challenging.
Amalfi Coast walking vacations in Italy
The Amalfi Coast – as chic as it is beautiful – stretches 50km along the Sorrentine peninsula. Come summer, crowds flock here like paparazzi in search of a red carpet event. But step just a little inland, and you’ll find rural tranquillity, with trails linking tiny mountain villages past waterfalls, lemon groves and meadows of wildflowers. The Path of the Gods is one of the world’s most beautiful walking routes, but Monti Lattari Regional Park and Valle delle Ferrier Nature Reserve are both showstoppers in their own right. Capri, too, has many lovely hiking routes taking you beyond the glitz.
Tuscany walking vacations in Italy
Tuscany needs little introduction, but it may surprise you how varied walking vacations here can be. It’s not simply a choice between joining a small group or plotting your own self guided route. You might mix walking with wine tasting or beachcombing on stretches of sand that are virtually deserted outside summer. Well-marked trails in Maremma Regional Park have restricted access, letting you explore Etruscan beauty without the crowds. For those wanting a little more rigour, head to Northern Tuscany and more mountainous terrain. Even here the trekking is mostly moderate, and regular hikers will take the ascents in their stride.
Prosecco Hills walking vacations in Italy
Swathed in vineyards, the Prosecco Hills in Italy’s Veneto region are as pleasant to walk as the fizz is to drink. Close to the Dolomites, and under an hour from Venice, the hills and valleys are criss-crossed with easy-going trails that allow plenty of time to explore the area’s gastronomy, culture and history. You’re never far from a little village where you can refuel with a wild mushroom risotto or a plate of gnocchi. Walking vacations run from spring through to autumn, with September and October the time to come for lower temperatures and to watch the grape harvest.
Via ferrata walking vacations in Italy
A via ferrata is a network of ladders and metal cables clamped securely to the rocks, enabling walkers to access routes and viewpoints that would previously have been available only to mountaineers. Expert guides escort small groups on what are often physically demanding and precarious routes, with the Dolomites being one of the most popular destinations. You will need to be in good physical condition – upper body strength is key for pulling yourself up some sections and walking days are long. If you don’t have a head for heights, a via ferrata walking vacation is not for you.
Top 10 walking vacations in Italy
We could quite easily list 50, but after much hard work and debating we’ve narrowed down our top 10 walking vacations in Italy. From gentle hikes between vineyards in the Prosecco Hills and peaceful rural trails around the Amalfi Coast, to otherworldly landscapes on volcanic Sicily and the jagged Dolomites that take on a beguiling pinkish hue at sunset – you’ll find plenty of inspiration here. We take you through what to expect from the Italian Lakes, classic Mont Blanc route and foodie paradise of Piedmont, as well as letting you know the best time to go walking in Italy.
[Self guided or small group?: Giuseppe Milo]
[Amalfi Coast: Ken Mayer]
[Tuscany: © Sam Knight]
[Prosecco Hills: theavoae]
[Via ferrata: Amir Zmora]
[Top 10 walking vacations in Italy: Gregory Smirnov]
