Italy has some of the most spectacular hiking in Europe and most hikers only know the Cinque Terre trail and maybe the Dolomites. This itinerary hits both plus the trails nobody talks about: the Path of the Gods above the Amalfi Coast, the medieval pilgrim routes of Tuscany, and the wild mountain paths of the Gran Sasso where wolves still roam. Bring proper boots — Italian trails don't believe in handrails.
Get a personalized version →Cinque Terre (2) → Tuscan walks (2) → Amalfi/Path of the Gods (2) → Dolomites (4). Italy's hiking ranges from seaside clifftop trails to 3,000-meter alpine passes, and this route gives you both extremes. You'll walk Mediterranean coastal paths in the morning and eat seafood for lunch, then four days later you'll be above the treeline with Dolomite spires all around you. Bring trail shoes that handle both — Italy's trails don't believe in uniform surfaces.
Base in Corniglia or Riomaggiore. Both are the least touristy villages and closest to the best trail access. Cinque Terre Card (€16/day) covers trains between villages + trail access.
Day 1 — Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Path). The classic. Monterosso → Vernazza (2 hours, moderate, the most spectacular section — cliff-hugging, sea views, vineyard terraces). Continue Vernazza → Corniglia (1.5 hours, stairs, views back to Vernazza harbor). Total: 3.5 hours actual walking. The path is well-maintained but narrow in places with significant drops — no handrails. Not suitable for vertigo sufferers.
Day 2 — SVA (High Path / Sentiero di Crinale). The trail most tourists don't know. Runs along the ridge ABOVE the five villages. Trail 1 from Portovenere to Levanto passes through chestnut forests, abandoned villages, and viewpoints where you see all five villages plus the entire Ligurian coast. Do the section from Telegrafo to Monterosso (trail 1, 3 hours, moderate-difficult, 600m descent). Views are staggering and you'll see maybe 10 people all day. Pack lunch — there's nothing up here.
Train from La Spezia to Siena (2.5 hours with change in Pisa, €15-25). Stay near Siena or in the Chianti countryside.
Day 3 — Via Francigena section: San Gimignano to Monteriggioni. The medieval pilgrim route from Canterbury to Rome. This 12km section (4 hours, easy-moderate) goes through vineyard-covered hills with cypress trees and distant towers. San Gimignano's skyline behind you, Monteriggioni's perfect walls ahead. Podere Maremmana agriturismo (€80-120/night, on the route itself) for overnight. Dinner at the agriturismo with their own wine.
Day 4 — Val d'Orcia walk. Drive or bus to Pienza. Walk from Pienza to Bagno Vignoni (10km, 3 hours, easy, flat). The landscape is the one from every Tuscan calendar: golden rolling hills, lone cypress trees, medieval farmhouses. Bagno Vignoni has a medieval village square that IS a hot spring — sit and soak your feet. Return by bus or continue to San Quirico d'Orcia. Lunch at Trattoria Toscana in Bagno Vignoni — pici cacio e pepe (thick Tuscan pasta), ~€15/primo.
Train from Siena to Naples (3.5h via Florence, €30-50), then ferry or bus to Amalfi Coast. Base in Agerola (above the coast, cheaper, trail access) or Praiano.
Day 5 — Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods). The most famous coastal hike in Italy. Bomerano to Nocelle — 7.5km, 3-3.5 hours, moderate. The trail runs at 500-600 meters above the sea with vertiginous views of the Amalfi Coast below. Rocky, narrow in places, no shade (bring hat and water). At Nocelle, you can take 1,700 steps down to Positano (knees!) or a bus. Start by 8am to beat heat and crowds.
Day 6 — Valle delle Ferriere. Less known, equally beautiful. A nature reserve behind Amalfi town with waterfalls, rare ferns, ancient paper mills, and a cool microclimate. Trail from Amalfi to Pontone (3 hours round trip, moderate). Lunch in Amalfi at Il Teatro (Via E. Marini 19, ~€20/person). Afternoon: swim at Atrani beach (5 min walk from Amalfi, the smallest town in Italy, far fewer tourists).
Fly or train from Naples to Verona/Bolzano (or drive). Base options: Cortina d'Ampezzo (Day 7-8), then Val Gardena/Alpe di Siusi (Day 9-10). Or stay at mountain huts (rifugi) for full immersion.
Day 7 — Tre Cime di Lavaredo. The most iconic Dolomite walk. Drive or bus from Cortina to Rifugio Auronzo (€30 car toll, or bus €10). Circuit walk around the three spires: 10km, 3.5-4 hours, moderate (altitude 2,300-2,450m). The rock faces change color with the light — grey to pink to orange. Arrive early (before 9am) or late (after 3pm) to avoid crowds. This is one of the most beautiful hikes in Europe and everyone knows it.
Day 8 — Lago di Sorapis. The turquoise lake that looks photoshopped. Trailhead at Passo Tre Croci (above Cortina). 12km round trip, 4.5-5 hours, moderate-difficult. One section has a fixed rope (via ferrata lite) — not dangerous but vertigo-inducing. The lake itself is milky turquoise from glacial minerals. Swimming is prohibited. Bring a packed lunch and sit on the rocks.
Day 9 — Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm. Europe's largest high-altitude meadow. Take the cable car from Siusi (€25 return) to the plateau. Walk from Compatsch to Rifugio Bolzano/Schlernhaus (trail 1, 4-5 hours, moderate, 800m ascent). The meadow is impossibly green, dotted with wildflowers (June-July), and the Sciliar massif rises behind like a wall. The rifugio serves excellent food (Kaiserschmarrn, dumplings, beer) and you can sleep there (€45-65/person half-board, book ahead).
Day 10 — Seceda ridgeline walk. From Val Gardena, take the Seceda cable car from Ortisei (€39 return). The ridgeline walk along the Odle/Geisler group is 6km, 2.5 hours, easy-moderate. The views are the most photographed in the Dolomites — jagged limestone needles rising from green meadows. Walk to Rifugio Firenze/Regensburger Hütte (trail 2, 1.5 hours from Seceda) for lunch with the most dramatic terrace backdrop in the Alps. Spinach dumplings + local beer, ~€15.
Trail running shoes or light hiking boots (not heavy boots — Italian trails are technical but not expedition-grade). Rain jacket (weather changes fast in Dolomites). 1.5L water minimum. Sun protection. Offline maps downloaded. Trekking poles optional but helpful for Dolomite descents.
Mountain huts serve hot meals and have dorm beds (€30-55/night half-board). Bring your own sleeping bag liner. Cash only at most rifugi. Book ahead in July-August. The food is surprisingly good — dumplings, strudel, polenta, soups. Beer is cold. Wine is warm.
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