Visiting Italy on foot: 5 of most beautiful walking routes

After a long, cold winter, spring is finally here! And what better way to celebrate its arrival than with a nice trip outdoors? In this article, we present five hiking routes that cross Italy from north to south, giving you great ideas for exploring the country on foot and keeping fit at the same time. We also recommend some must-have products for your next walk to discover Italy's nature, villages and history.

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1. Via Francigena

Regions crossed: Valle d'Aosta, Piedmont, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Liguria, Tuscany, Lazio, Campania, Basilicata and Puglia; Vatican City

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The Via Francigena is one of the oldest pilgrim routes in the world, linking northern and southern Europe. It can be travelled on foot, by bicycle or by car and stretches 3,200 km from Canterbury in the UK through France, Switzerland, 10 Italian regions and the Vatican City State. The route has 105 stages and can be walked all year round. In the past, during the Middle Ages, the route was used by pilgrims following in the footsteps of Archbishop Sigeric. Over time it became a trade route for the transit of spices, cloth and other goods across Europe. Today, the Via Francigena is a well-defined and well-trodden path, an itinerary of history, art and culture, with no particular technical obstacles and easy to walk, whatever your level of fitness or age. In 1994, the Via Francigena was declared a "Cultural Route of the Council of Europe". So what are you waiting for? Choose your starting point and set off!

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Photo credits: Federico Di Dio photography on Unsplash

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2. Via degli Dei

Regions crossed: Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany

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The Via degli Dei stretches for 130 kilometres from Bologna to Florence, crossing two Italian regions and the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. The name comes from the many mountains that can be admired along the route, which is completely surrounded by greenery and can be covered on foot or by bicycle in six stages. It is a medium-difficulty route, accessible to all, with refreshment points along the way. The Via degli Dei, once used by the Etruscans and later by the Romans, is rich in history and along the route you can admire Etruscan and Roman remains, abbeys and monasteries surrounded by mountains, woods and meadows. The Via degli Dei is the perfect destination for a spring hike full of discovery, culture and good food!

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Photo credits: Kalina O. on Unsplash

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3. Via Silente

Regions crossed: Campania

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The Via Silente is a circular route of about 600 km, divided into 15 stages, that winds through the mountains of the Cilento National Park, one of the largest parks in Italy. The park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is characterised by its deafening silence, far away from the distractions and the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It is the perfect destination for an excursion in the name of sport and relaxation: the route is accessible both by bike and on foot, but requires a good level of fitness due to the constant changes in gradient. Along the way you will find numerous hamlets, waterways and refreshment points, ideal for stopping along the mostly asphalted road. Are you ready to explore one of Italy's most beautiful national parks and immerse yourself in its silence?

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Photo credits: Maria Gavrilova on Unsplash

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4. Cammino di Santu Jacu

Regions crossed: Sardinia

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The Cammino di Santu Jacu, created in 2009, is a continuation of the Camino de Santiago, one of the most famous walking routes in the world. This itinerary offers the opportunity to explore the Sardinian hinterland from north to south, immersing oneself in the rich history and culture of the region. It is an internationally renowned route with multilingual maps and signposts, pilgrims' refuges along the way and the characteristic shell symbol of the Camino de Santiago scattered along the route. The route covers 1,600 kilometres in 60 stages and can be travelled on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. Divided into four main axes, it passes through numerous famous archaeological sites, Roman ruins, villages, basilicas and natural areas of varied morphology. It is undoubtedly the perfect destination for a beautiful spring hike!

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Photo credits: Anthony Dean on Unsplash

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5. Cammino dei Mille

Regions crossed: Sicily

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The Cammino dei Mille (Trail of the Thousand) is a 158-kilometre route that climbs 4,641 metres through the mountains, hills, woods, vineyards and olive groves of north-western Sicily, from Monreale to Palermo. It is a medium-difficulty itinerary, mainly on paths and tracks, with no particular difficulties other than the altitude differences. The itinerary, which can be done on foot or by mountain bike, consists of 7 stages in the short version and 10 stages in the long version. The route follows the footsteps of General Garibaldi and the Epic of the Thousand until their arrival in Palermo in 1860. This is an unmissable opportunity to discover the island's less travelled paths and to keep fit in the open air with the arrival of spring!

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Photo credits: Henrique Ferreira on Unsplash

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Essential products for your next walk

Now that you have chosen your preferred route, it is time to think about the clothing and equipment you will need to take with you. Remember not to overdo it, as everything you take with you on the hike will weigh on your shoulders. It is therefore important to make a choice and take only the essentials. If you start walking between spring and summer, your rucksack may be lighter as you will not have to worry about carrying too much clothing. Choosing the right rucksack is crucial: a 40/50 litre rucksack with lots of side pockets is ideal, and it is important that it has a hip belt to take the weight off your hips and not your shoulders. Don't forget to bring a waterproof cover for your rucksack in case it rains. Take a look at all our hiking backpacks to find the perfect one for you.

If you're planning a longer walk, with overnight stops or camping along the way, you might need a sleeping bag too.

Shoes and socks are essential to avoid problems during the hike. As you will be walking several miles a day, it is essential that you have appropriate walking shoes and good quality socks. Low, waterproof walking shoes are ideal for the spring and summer seasons; boots would be too heavy. Shoes should be practical, lightweight, breathable, waterproof and, above all, comfortable with good cushioning. Take a look at our hiking and walking shoes to find the perfect pair for your next adventure.

In addition to the right rucksack and shoes, we recommend that you bring a windproof jacket, technical trousers with a zip at the knee for use in all weather conditions, T-shirts, a wide-brimmed hat, flip-flops, underwear, a poncho or k-way, a headlamp, a water bottle, a microfibre towel, a washbag with essential toiletries, a clothesline and pegs, and a first aid kit.

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Photo credits: Holly Mandarich on Unsplash

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Exploring one of the five suggested routes is not only a way to discover breathtaking landscapes and keep fit in spring, but also a unique opportunity to reconnect with yourself and nature.

For more information, have a look at our article Why hiking is good for mental health.

Which of these routes intrigues you the most? Have you already chosen your next walk?

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Check out the other articles in our Hub for more interesting tips, and our Hike Store to discover all the ideal products for your next walking adventure!

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Check out our Trails and Inspirational category to discover the most amazing trails and hikes in the world, as recommended by our athletes, ambassadors and loyal customers.