Italy was built for walkers. Alpine switchbacks, cliff-edge coastal paths, vineyard-lined lanes and medieval pilgrimage routes all reward those who go slow. If you’re dreaming up a trip that blends scenery, food, history and everyday Italian life, here’s a clear guide to choosing routes, sorting logistics, and travelling responsibly.
Choosing your region and route
Start with the kind of landscape (and effort) you want. For drama, the Dolomites deliver limestone spires and well-waymarked paths; on the Amalfi Coast, terrace paths stitch together perfume-sweet lemon groves and sea views; in Tuscany, meander through vines and cypress; the Apennines offer quieter ridgelines, while Puglia mixes olive groves with coastal rambles. Pilgrimage routes, meanwhile, add a cultural thread to the equation. For example, think the Via Francigena, a historic path running from the Alps to Rome and on to Puglia, where investment has recently upgraded infrastructure ahead of Jubilee 2025.
Practical planning and logistics
When to go: Late April–June and September–October bring firmer weather and fewer crowds. Summer heat pushes alpine hikers higher and coastal walkers to early starts.
Getting around: Use rail to hop between gateways (Milan–Bolzano for the Dolomites; Naples–Salerno/Sorrento for Amalfi; Florence–Siena for Tuscany). Luggage-transfer services also operate on popular routes and with many small inns. Just remember to ask when booking rooms on multi-day walks.
Driving rules (Amalfi): If you must drive the SS163 in peak season, know the alternate license-plate system: on designated dates, only even- or odd-ending plates can use the road at certain hours.
Overtourism updates (coast & cities): Parts of Cinque Terre now deploy one-way trail systems, footwear checks and a booking system on the most crowded paths during busy periods so arrive prepared and follow posted guidance. If your walk includes a Venice day visit, note the €5 Access Fee on selected dates (higher if paid last-minute). Remember to book online and carry the QR code.
Guided or self-guided: Guided walks add local context (history, food, flora) and handle logistics. Self-guided trips maximise flexibility; you set the pace, but you’ll want strong GPX tracks, paper maps as backup, and confirmed lodging.
What to pack: Grippy trail shoes or lightweight boots, sun protection, a light rain shell, poles for steep stone steps (common on coastal routes), and a soft duffel if using transfers. In villages, smart-casual layers help you blend in at dinner.
Immersing in culture, food & nature
Walking drops you into the small moments: nonnas sweeping stoops, church bells at noon, the first espresso of the day. Plan time for vineyard tastings in Chianti, lemon-grove tours on the Sorrento Peninsula, or alpine rifugi lunches (polenta, speck, strudel). Food-focused walking experiences routinely rank as travellers’ most memorable outings because you meet producers where they work and taste place-specific dishes along the way.
If historic routes appeal, consider Italian camino holidays that traverse historic routes. Sections of the Via Francigena from Tuscany into Lazio are ideal first pilgrim stages, with frequent towns to explore and steady gradients so you’re never going to feel overwhelmed.