Travel tips & advice for walking in Italy
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.”
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.”
Our Italy walking Vacations
Amalfi Coast walking vacation, Italy
Walk in lemon groves and hillside villages
From
US $1949 to US $2479
8 days
ex flights
Puglia small group tour, Italy
Puglia, whitewashed towns, traditional farmland and fine cuisine
From
US $2349 to US $2479
8 days
ex flights
Tuscany tours, walking and wine tasting in Italy
Walking and wine tasting in Tuscany
From
US $1999 to US $2249
8 days
ex flights
Piedmont walking vacation, Vineyards of Barolo
A gastronomic gem quietly tucked away
From
£2209
9 days
inc UK flights
Snowshoeing vaction in the Dolomites
Michelin recommended cuisine & inspiring walks
From
US $2479 to US $2649
8 days
ex flights
Sicily walking vacation, Sicilian Volcanoes
Discover Mt Etna and the beautiful volcanic achipelago
From
US $2249 to US $2399
8 days
ex flights
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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 will take you from Mont Blanc in the north-west, down to Naples and Sicily.
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 and classic. Read our guide to discover the best way to explore.
You probably know the drink, but walking in the Prosecco Hills is a chance to discover where it comes from.
Puglia remains a largely undiscovered walking destination, a wonderful place to escape the crowds.
Walking is a fantastic way to discover the distinct and vibrant culture of Sicily, especially its food and wine. Read our Sicily walking guide to discover more.
There’s a reason why walking vacations in Tuscany are the next best thing to mozzarella, basil and tomatoes.
If you’re keen to take your walking in a decidedly muscular direction, consider tackling the mountainside ladders and cables known as via ferrata.
You may think you can walk the walk but if you’re looking for responsible walking vacations in Italy, read on.
