From the snow-wrapped peaks of the Dolomites to the glistening Amalfi Coast, Italy is a hiker’s paradise. There’s no shortage of natural beauty spots linked by a network of marked trails, many of which are connected with neighboring Switzerland, France, Austria and Slovenia.
Traveling by train is one of the easiest ways to hop between Italy’s hiking hotspots. The high speed Alta Velocità (AV) trains connect major cities such as Rome, Florence, Milan and Naples. From here, you can venture out to the country’s nature-rich mountains, coastline and islands.
Not sure when to go? April to June and September to October are perfect for hiking in Italy. Just avoid visiting during the summer when the tarmac-melting temperatures reach their highest.
Below, we’ve summed up a few of our favorite hiking spots across Italy for your next trip.
Image Credit: Getty Images, TravelCouples. Image Location: Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy.
Dolomites
Closest station: Bolzano
When it comes to hiking in Italy, you can’t overlook the Dolomites. Here, 9,800ft-high granite pinnacles rise out of the emerald valleys like jagged teeth. The city of Bolzano is one of the main gateways to this mountainous region; it’s easily accessible by train from Venice (3h 19m) and Milan (2h 45m). From here, you can hike a section of the Keschtnweg, a 55mi-long trail that crosses into both Austria and Slovenia. Expect incredible views of the snow-dusted Rittner mountains. Come in October when the chestnut trees turn gold and their sweet produce is roasted over open fires. The region is also known for its stunning spas and resort hotels.
Image Credit: Getty Images, ellobo1. Image Location: Cinque Terre, Italy.
Cinque Terre
Closest station: La Spezia
Five pretty fishing villages make up the Cinque Terre, a scenic stretch of the Italian Riviera, linked by an 8mi hiking trail called the Sentiero Azzurro. After getting your ticket for the Cinque Terre Express in La Spezia, start in Riomaggiore and make your way north to Monterosso al Mare. En route, you’ll pass pastel-coloured houses that cascade down the rugged cliffside and quaint harbors dotted with fishing boats. Make sure you refuel with a bowl of mandilli de sea al pesto, wavy sheets of pasta doused in local pesto sauce and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. Once you reach the end, hop on board the coastal train to whizz back to the start (it also connects up with Genoa and Florence).
Image Credit: Getty Images, tommasolizzul. Image Location: Path of The Gods, Amalfi Coast, Italy.
Amalfi Coast
Closest station: Salerno
Everyone from Sophia Loren to Justin Bieber has vacationed along the famous Amalfi Coast. But you don’t have to be a celebrity to visit this bucket-list destination. Hiking the Sentiero Degli Dei (Path of the Gods) is one of the best ways to soak up the beauty of this coastline. It’s an easy 4.5mi hike from Bomerano to Positano, offering eye-popping views of the vertiginous cliffs as they tumble down to the glass-blue Tyrrhenian Sea. Just take the train from Naples to Salerno, then catch the ferry to Amalfi. From here, board the bus to Agerola (Bomerano) to start the hike.
Stromboli
Closest station: Reggio di Calabria Santa Caterina
Ever hiked up an active volcano? Stromboli, one of the seven Aeolian Islands, is home to a number of active craters, which regularly spew out bubbling lava. Despite its volatile state, Stromboli is a popular and safe hiking destination. The trail starts in Via Pizzillo and stops a few hundred meters from the summit. If you climb at sunset, you’ll see the Sciara del Fuoco, a glowing magma-filled scar on the northern edge of the volcano. Getting here takes time, but it’s undoubtedly worth the effort. From Reggio di Calabria station, you’ll need to take two ferries—one to Messina, and then another to Stromboli.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Westend61. Image Location: Lake Como, Italy.
Lake Como
Closest station: Como S. Giovanni
Neoclassical villas adorned with bright pink azaleas line the shore of Lake Como, backed by a tapestry of snow-capped mountains. It’s one of the most beautiful places to go hiking in northern Italy. There are dozens of crisscrossing trails, linked by a regular ferry service. For example, the 6mi-long Greenway del Lago di Como starts in Colonno and finishes near Tremezzo. Centuries-old Italian villas (some owned by Hollywood celebrities), manicured gardens and photo-worthy viewpoints are just a few of the highlights along the way. Alternatively, more adventurous hikers can take the funicular up to Brunate and trek to the summit of Monte Boletto and back.
Climb every mountain
While you pack your hiking boots and gear, let us take care of your train journey to the trailhead. Download the Trainline app for the best train tickets in Italy and across Europe. Looking for even more hiking destinations in Europe? Check out our articles on best fall hikes in Switzerland and Europe's best walking trails.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Oleh_Slobodeniuk. Image Location: Lago di Carezza, Dolomites, Italy.