Walking vacations in Italy travel tips
Keep it local
Etien Veeman from our walking vacations supplier 46 Degrees Italy has good walking in Italy travel tips: “Italy has always been a country of artisans. Nowadays the financial crisis is hitting really badly, so buying artisan articles helps – though always check that it is really ‘Made in Italy’. At the lakes, watch for silk scarves, while Bergamo has very fine wines and local food specialties. In Tuscany the olive harvest has been bad this year, so be aware that any bottle of olive oil that costs less than €8 will not be 100 percent Italian! Also look for objects made of olive wood. The lodgings on our tours often offer local products to buy or can advise you where to get them.”
Our Italy walking Vacations
Amalfi Coast walking vacation, Italy
Walk in lemon groves and hillside villages
From
US $1479 to US $1799
8 days
ex flights
Piedmont walking vacation, Vineyards of Barolo
A gastronomic gem quietly tucked away
From
£2095 to £2185
9 days
inc UK flights
Dolomites walking vacation in Italy
Sandwiched between the spectacular peaks of the Dolomites
From
US $1649 to US $2179
8 days
ex flights
Sardinia walking vacation, Italy
Superb daywalks amid rich and charming scenery
From
US $1749
8 days
ex flights
Tuscany hiking vacation, Italy
Discover Tuscany hiking from town to town
From
€780 to €950
8 days
ex flights
Umbria self guided walking vacation, the North Valley
Along Saint Francis trails through the Green Heart of Italy
From
€800 to €900
7 days
ex flights
Mont Blanc Circuit hiking vacation
Probably the most dramatic walk in Europe
From
US $2249 to US $2349
15 days
ex flights
Mont Blanc Circuit trek, with hotel accommodation
Classic Tour, using small inns and guesthouses
From
US $3979 to US $4199
15 days
ex flights
Mont Blanc vacation, Tour du Mont Blanc
The best of the Tour du Mont Blanc
From
US $1749 to US $1879
8 days
ex flights
Sicily walking vacation, Sicilian Volcanoes
Discover Mt Etna and the beautiful volcanic achipelago
From
US $1849
8 days
ex flights
Umbria self guided hiking vacation, Italy
Easy hiking tour, through vineyards and cultural heritage
From
€680 to €700
7 days
ex flights
Walking vacation in Tuscany
A variety of daywalks in the beautiful Tuscan countryside
From
US $1549 to US $1749
8 days
ex flights
Tuscany tours, walking and wine tasting in Italy
Walking and wine tasting in Tuscany
From
US $1549 to US $1749
8 days
ex flights
Snowshoeing vaction in the Dolomites
Michelin recommended cuisine & inspiring walks
From
US $1799 to US $2049
8 days
ex flights
Italian Alps walking and cooking vacation
Experience the Grandeur and Gastronomy of our Italian Alps
From
€1100
8 days
ex flights
Lake Como family walking vacation, Italy
Lake Como; a panoramic hike, suited to do with children!
From
€693 to €956
8 days
ex flights
Bergamo circular walking tour in Italy
Begamo; start hiking at about 5 km distance from the airport
From
€707 to €978
8 days
ex flights
Abruzzo winter hiking vacation in Italy
Walking with wolves in an unspoilt National Park
From
£1199 to £1239
8 days
inc UK flights
Italian Alps hiking vacation
Enjoying the high mountains in a comfortable way.
From
€694 to €887
8 days
ex flights
Gran Paradiso walking vacation in the Italian Alps
15 day tour - gran paradiso - Italy -tmb- less tourists!
From
€1955
14 days
ex flights
Amalfi coast small group hiking vacation
This walking vacation explores the spectacular Amalfi Coast.
From
US $1350 to US $1390
8 days
ex flights
Walking vacation in Italy, in the Footsteps of St Francis
Wonderfully scenic walking and historic hilltop towns
From
£1385 to £1535
9 days
inc UK flights
Guided walking vacation in rural Tuscany, Italy
Guided walks in beautiful Tuscany
From
€1250 to €1275
8 days
ex flights
Umbria to Tuscany walking and cooking vacation
Come to discover Umbria, cook and walk just like a local
From
€950 to €1150
6 days
ex flights
Mont Blanc Circuit classic hiking tour, 8 days
Hearty local cuisine from 3 countries & phenomenal views
From
US $2049 to US $2179
8 days
ex flights
Walking short break in Lake Como, Italy
Walking gourmand vacation on Como Lake hills
From
€450 to €500
4 days
ex flights
Umbria hiking vacation, self guided
World-famous Assisi, the jewel in the Umbrian crown
From
£1505 to £1655
11 days
inc UK flights
Italian Alps inn accommodation in Piedmont, Italy
Small family run inn nestled in the Italian Alps
From
€60 to €75
per couple per night
Francigena Way walking vacation Lucca to Siena
Walking vacation through the Tuscan countryside
From
US $1159 to US $1189
8 days
ex flights
Amalfi Coast moderate hiking vacation, Italy
Coastal hike following in the 'Footpath of the Gods'
From
US $1499
11 days
ex flights
Packing tips
Emily Christye, from our supplier Exodus, reminds you to pack a cossie:“You should always have a swimming costume in your daypack! Surprisingly, a lot of people forget it because they imagine that you’re always walking along the cliff. But we don’t. We drop down to the sea almost every day, so it’s lovely to have a swim. I’d also say flip flops – as it’s really nice when you do drop down to the sea to be able to take off your waking boots and put on some flip flops.”
Mont Blanc tips
Chloe Knott is Mont Blanc and all round alpine expert at our leading supplier, Exodus. She gives great walking vacations in Italy travel tips, especially when it comes to the big treks:
“Always read the trip notes that accompany your trip, as they will give good guidance on how fit you need to be. Wear boots with ankle support and, if you have bad knees, take walking poles. A CamelBak water pouch is great, as you can top up at natural springs or at mountain huts. On Mont Blanc treks, always pack good waterproofs, a hat and gloves even in summer, as it can get windy and cold at some of the cols. In summer some people still make the mistake of thinking they can do Mont Blanc in a pair of trainers because it’s warm and sunny, but you still need the rigidity of a stronger soled boot and the ankle support.”
“Always read the trip notes that accompany your trip, as they will give good guidance on how fit you need to be. Wear boots with ankle support and, if you have bad knees, take walking poles. A CamelBak water pouch is great, as you can top up at natural springs or at mountain huts. On Mont Blanc treks, always pack good waterproofs, a hat and gloves even in summer, as it can get windy and cold at some of the cols. In summer some people still make the mistake of thinking they can do Mont Blanc in a pair of trainers because it’s warm and sunny, but you still need the rigidity of a stronger soled boot and the ankle support.”
Eric Lasserre, proMONT-BLANC, an organization that seeks to protect the Mont Blanc massif, gives his advice on camping and safety in the mountains:
“In the Chamonix valley alone there are 130 avalanches corridors. So, if you are going off piste snowshoeing or skiing, or even hiking, you need to be aware of this, as it is likely you will cross one of them. Avalanches can often last up until the month of May with big springtime avalanches, so you need to be wary of avalanche warnings. Even if there is no snow where you are walking.”
Getting around
Melanie McAnaw from our walking vacations in Italy supplier Headwater:“Parking comes at an absolute premium in most of these picturesque towns and villages on the Amalfi Coast. With a public transport system that is both regular and efficient, it’s much better to leave your car at home and use the local bus, ferry and Circumvesuviana rail service to bob about the area.”
Our top Italy walking Vacation
Amalfi Coast walking vacation, Italy
Walk in lemon groves and hillside villages
From
US $1479 to US $1799
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 16 Nov, 21 Dec
2020: 15 Feb, 22 Feb, 29 Feb, 7 Mar, 14 Mar, 21 Mar, 28 Mar, 4 Apr, 11 Apr, 18 Apr, 25 Apr, 2 May, 9 May, 16 May, 23 May, 30 May, 6 Jun, 13 Jun, 20 Jun, 27 Jun, 4 Jul, 11 Jul, 18 Jul, 25 Jul, 1 Aug, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, 29 Aug, 5 Sep, 12 Sep, 19 Sep, 26 Sep, 3 Oct, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 24 Oct, 31 Oct, 7 Nov, 14 Nov, 21 Nov, 28 Nov, 5 Dec, 12 Dec, 19 Dec
2019: 16 Nov, 21 Dec
2020: 15 Feb, 22 Feb, 29 Feb, 7 Mar, 14 Mar, 21 Mar, 28 Mar, 4 Apr, 11 Apr, 18 Apr, 25 Apr, 2 May, 9 May, 16 May, 23 May, 30 May, 6 Jun, 13 Jun, 20 Jun, 27 Jun, 4 Jul, 11 Jul, 18 Jul, 25 Jul, 1 Aug, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, 29 Aug, 5 Sep, 12 Sep, 19 Sep, 26 Sep, 3 Oct, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 24 Oct, 31 Oct, 7 Nov, 14 Nov, 21 Nov, 28 Nov, 5 Dec, 12 Dec, 19 Dec
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Italy walking or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
Health & safety
HEALTH
SAFETY
Tips from our travelers
At Responsible Travel we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Italy walking vacations advice that our travelers have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation, and the space inside your backpack.
We have selected some of the most useful Italy walking vacations advice that our travelers have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation, and the space inside your backpack.
When walking in the hills or up Vesuvius, think skiing - if you let anything slip it could quickly be lost forever.
- Juliet Dunn
“Be prepared for hundreds of steps but it’s well worth the climb up and down as every view is stunning.”
- Hannah Wilson, Amalfi Coast
“When walking in the hills or up Vesuvius, think skiing - if you let anything slip it could quickly be lost forever, so I had my glasses on a chain and used the wrist strap on my camera, etc. And keep 50c coins handy for automated public toilets!”- Juliet Dunn, Amalfi Coast
“We were surprised by the numbers of people following the suggested walks so this is perhaps not a vacation for those wanting to escape from people.”- Eileen Hardy, Dolomites
- Hannah Wilson, Amalfi Coast
“When walking in the hills or up Vesuvius, think skiing - if you let anything slip it could quickly be lost forever, so I had my glasses on a chain and used the wrist strap on my camera, etc. And keep 50c coins handy for automated public toilets!”- Juliet Dunn, Amalfi Coast
“We were surprised by the numbers of people following the suggested walks so this is perhaps not a vacation for those wanting to escape from people.”- Eileen Hardy, Dolomites
Book for at least one additional night in Bellagio after the finished hike! We only stayed there for the included two nights.
- Jeanette Reinholdtsen
“This vacation is classed as Grade 1, leisurely. It does involve walking at a relaxed pace, but you still need to be fit and able to tackle hills." - Jill Simpson, Tuscany
“Be prepared for a lot of boat travel around the islands.” - Hazel Geatches, Sicily
“Drinking backpacks are necessary. And bear in mind that you need space in the backpack for the lunch packages, because they were generous :-) Proper hiking boots are recommended. Book for at least one additional night in Bellagio after the finished hike! We only stayed there for the included two nights, and then headed to Milan, which we regretted already as we were leaving on the ferry for Como. Should´ve stayed at least a few more nights by the lake instead. “ - Jeanette Reinholdtsen, Lake Como
“Be prepared for a lot of boat travel around the islands.” - Hazel Geatches, Sicily
“Drinking backpacks are necessary. And bear in mind that you need space in the backpack for the lunch packages, because they were generous :-) Proper hiking boots are recommended. Book for at least one additional night in Bellagio after the finished hike! We only stayed there for the included two nights, and then headed to Milan, which we regretted already as we were leaving on the ferry for Como. Should´ve stayed at least a few more nights by the lake instead. “ - Jeanette Reinholdtsen, Lake Como
More about Italy walking
Travel either side of the hotter summer months and you’ll find the best time to go on a walking vacation in Italy.
Discover la via e bella as you peruse our Italy walking travel guide and find out what walking in Italy entails.
Our Italy walking vacation highlights map will take you from Mont Blanc in the northwest to Naples and Sicily down south.
If you’re looking to complement your walking vacation with some alternative activities then check out these handsome hikers.
From Amalfi to Mont Blanc, these are our top ten walking vacations in Italy or primo promenades, if you prefer.
Amalfi Coast walking vacations are romantic, rugged, classy, classic and every synonym you could possibly find for beautiful. Be prepared for memory overload…
You probably know the drink, but walking in the Prosecco Hills is a chance to discover where it comes from – one of Italy’s least well known wine regions.
If you’re keen to take your walking in a decidedly muscular direction, consider tackling a via ferrata.
From gentle strolls through rolling vineyards, to hikes up volcanoes and craggy cliffside treks, Italy has a huge array of walks from the easy to the challenging.
You might think that you can walk the walk but if you’re really looking for responsible walking vacations in Italy, read on.
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: Rostislav Glinsky] [Hand made crafts: Nicola Romagna]
[Mont Blanc: Richard West]
[Mount Etna: Kuhnmi]
[Vesuvius: Matthew Lewis]
[Bellagio: Pedro]
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