Italy
Description
Italy is a country of enormous diversity and contrast. Most famous are the Alps. Coming from the efficient neatness of Switzerland or Austria, the Italian Alps are wilder and at the same time more tranquil, like stepping back in time. The most beautiful and popular areas are Gran Paradiso, Val Grande, Stelvio and the Dolomites.
In addition there are countless national parks, all very much worth hiking through. A series of mountain ranges runs from north to south like a backbone, starting from the hills of Tuscany, to the Apennines and Abruzzo to Italy's toe, Calabria. Southern Italy, too far for many tourists, has several attractive hiking regions, like Pollino and Aspromonte.
In the Alps you can walk from hut to hut, elsewhere you can do day hikes, such is the rule in general. However some genuine long distance hiking trails are under construction. European long distance trail E10 in the Alps, which coincides with the 1000km long Grande Alpine Trail and the international Via Alpina. The second large project is the E1, which coincides with the Grand Apennine Mountains Trail and the Ligurian Mountains High Trail. If this trail is ever completed, you can start from Como passing Genova and continue all the way to Reggio di Calabria and Palermo or Siracuse on Sicily. The third large project means to join all these trails into one 6000km long Sentiero Italia. Last but not least, there is the Alta Via in the Dolomites: splendid walking.
Mountain huts abound in the Alps. Hiking can be done all summer, from June until well into October. Further south spring is the best hiking season. In April you will still get stuck in the snow up in the mountains. Autumn is supposed to be fine as well, but alas, as one hiker put it: "you wake up to the sounds of church bells and gunfire". As hunters, Italians are best avoided.
Map
Trails
- Alta Via dei GigantiGPX
- Alta Via dei Monti LiguriGPX
- Alta Via Della Valle d'Aosta No 1
- Alta Via Della Valle d'Aosta No 2
- Alta Via Dolomiti 1GPX
- Alta Via Dolomiti 10
- Alta Via Dolomiti 2GPX
- Alta Via Dolomiti 3GPX
- Alta Via Dolomiti 4GPX
- Alta Via Dolomiti 5
- Alta Via Dolomiti 6GPX
- Alta Via Dolomiti 7
- Alta Via Dolomiti 8
- Alta Via Dolomiti 9
- Bassa Via del GardaGPX
- Cinque Terre
- E1GPX
- E10GPX
- E12GPX
- E5GPX
- E7GPX
- Florence - Siena
- GoethewegGPX
- GR58 - Tour du QueyrasGPX
- Grande Escursione AppenninicaGPX
- Grande Traversata del Gran Paradiso
- Grande Traversata delle AlpiGPX
- Meraner HöhenwegGPX
- Pfunderer HöhenwegGPX
- Santiago de Compostela Pilgrims WayGPX
- Südalpenweg - 3GPX
- SeealpentourGPX
- Sentiero della PaceGPX
- Sentiero ItaliaGPX
- Sentiero Roma
- Tiroler Höhenweg
- TMB - Tour du Mont BlancGPX
- Tour des CombinsGPX
- Tour des Grands Barrages
- Tour du MatterhornGPX
- Tour Monte RosaGPX
- Traumpfad München-VenedigGPX
- Via AlpinaGPX
- Via FrancigenaGPX
- Via SacraGPX
- Via SbrinzGPX
- Via SplugaGPX
- Via ValtellinaGPX
Regions
- Abruzzi
- Adamello
- Aeolian Islands
- Alpi Biellesi e Cusiane
- Alpi di Livigno
- Alpi Liguri
- Alpi Marittime
- Alpi Oróbie e Bergamasche
- Alpi Sarentini
- Alpi Vicentine
- Alps
- Amalfi Coast
- Appennini
- Apulia
- Ötztal
- Bernina
- Brenta
- Calabria
- Cilento
- Defereggengebirge
- Dolomiti
- Dolomiti di Fiemme
- Elba
- Friuli
- Garda
- Gran Paradiso
- Grand Combin
- Julische Alpen
- Karawanken
- Karnischer Alpen
- Lago di Como
- Lago Maggiore
- Liguria
- Lombardia
- Matterhorn
- Moncenisio
- Monginevro
- Mont Blanc
- Monte Leone
- Monte Rosa
- Monti Sibillini
- Monviso
- Nonstaler Alpen
- Ortler
- Paganella
- Platta Gruppe
- Presanella
- Rieserfernergruppe
- Sardinia
- Südtirol
- Sesvenna Gruppe
- Sicilia
- Sobretta
- Stelvio
- Stubai
- Texelgruppe
- Tirol
- Toscana
- Trentino
- Umbria
- Val d'Aosta
- Val Grande
- Val Venosta
- Valle d'Aosta
- Veneto
- Vinschgau
- Zillertal
Mountains
Links
Facts
Reports
Guides and maps
Lodging
Organisations
Tour operators
GPS
Other
Books
United Kingdom
2015
- Italian Lakes Walking: Garda, Maggiore, Como and Iseo
- This guidebook describes 50 walks around Lakes Como, Iseo, Garda and Maggiore in Northern Italy. The picturesque routes are accessible by public transport from popular centres including Bellagio, Riva, Stresa and Cannero, and range from 2 to 14km in length. There are gentle lakeside strolls, and numerous ridge routes and traverses as well as... Read more
United Kingdom
- Grove
- An unnamed narrator, recently bereaved, travels to Olevano, a small village southeast of Rome. It is winter, and from her temporary residence on a hill between village and cemetery, she embarks on walks and outings, exploring the banal and the sublime with equal dedication and intensity. She recalls her travels in 1970s Italy, which she often... Read more
United Kingdom
2018
- Italian Sunflower Landscape Guide
- This new 3rd edition of Italian Lakes has been carefully revised just a few months prior to publication. The topo maps now show waypoints, and free downloadable GPS tracks are available for all the walks. Colour coding on the Contents page enables you to see at a glance the grading of various walks. These great expanses of water, bound to the... Read more
United Kingdom
2021
- DK Eyewitness Road Trips Italy
- Stretching from the snow-capped mountain ranges in the north to the sun-baked beaches and scirocco-scorched towns of the south, Italy is an ideal destination for a road trip. It`s yours to explore with Road Trips Italy, containing 24 wonderful drives across the country, from the quiet medieval town of Orta San Giulio and its island, Isola di... Read more
United Kingdom
- Touring the Italian Front 1917-1919
- The guide describes the ground and operations covered by the British, French and US Expeditionary Forces deployed from France to the area north of Venice between November 1917 and Spring 1919. These forces supported the Italians after their disastrous defeat at Caporetto and helped stem the Austrian and German onslaught. This is the first guide... Read more
United Kingdom
2021
- DK Eyewitness Italy
- Discover the Italian knack for la dolce vita.Whether you want to explore the evocative ruins of an ancient empire, traverse Tuscany`s vineyard-cloaked hills, or simply sip espresso and watch the world go by, your DK Eyewitness travel guide makes sure you experience all that Italy has to offer.From erupting volcanoes to magnificent coastal... Read more
United Kingdom
- Walking in Italy
- Walking in Italy is a unique guide written for those who want to experience the delights of Italy’s finest towns cities and landscapes. The best way to appreciate Italy is undoubtedly on foot, whether you are visiting a city for the first time or venturing out into the Italian countryside. You don’t need to be an athlete to enjoy a... Read more
United Kingdom
- Pale di San Martino - Primiero San Martino di Castrozza - Paneveggio - Valle del Vanoi Kompass 622
- Pale di S.Martino - Fiera di Primiero - Panaveggio - Valle del Vanoi area at 1:25,000 on a durable, waterproof and tear-resistant map from Kompass in their series of detailed maps of the Dolomites.CARTOGRAPHY: Kompass maps of the Dolomites at 1:25,000 have contours at 25-m intervals. An overprint shows local and long-distance footpaths,... Read more
United Kingdom
- Cortina d`Ampezzo Kompass 55
- Map No. 55, Cortina d`Ampezzo - with a panorama map on the reverse, from Kompass, printed on sturdy, waterproof and tear-resistant synthetic paper in their series of walking maps of selected areas of Italy at 1:50,000, with hiking routes on a topographic base, various types of accommodation, recreational facilities, places of interest, etc.... Read more
United Kingdom
- Maremma Coast - Piombino - Follonica - Castiglione della Pascaia Kompass 2469
- The coast of Maremma at 1:50,000 from Kompass, on a map printed on durable, waterproof and tear-resistant synthetic paper. Coverage includes Piombino, Follonica, Castiglione della Pescaia, Marina di Grosseto, Wetulonia, Ribolla, Valpiana, Venturina, etc. Contours are at 40m intervals, with a 2-km UTM grid. Extensive overprint includes cycling... Read more
United Kingdom
- Bolzano and Environs Kompass 54
- Map No. 54, Bolzano and Environs, from Kompass, printed on waterproof and tear-resistant synthetic paper in a series of walking maps of selected areas of Italy at 1:50,000, with hiking routes on a topographic base, various types of accommodation, recreational facilities, places of interest, etc. Kompass are Europe’s largest publishers of... Read more
United Kingdom
2021
- Lonely Planet Best Day Walks Italy
- Lonely Planet`s Best Day Walks Italy is your passport to 60 easy escapes into nature. Stretch your legs outside the city by picking a hike that works for you, from just a couple of hours to a full day, from easy to hard. Hike the Dolomites, explore the Italian Lakes, and stroll Sardinia`s coast. Get to the heart of Italy and begin your journey... Read more
- Also available from:
- The Book Depository, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
2018
- Florence Walks
- Explore Florence on foot with these wonderful and insightful routes. Plan your time with the unique bird`s-eye view illustrations that capture the spirit of this amazing city. Following these walks is like being shown around the city by an exceptionally knowledgeable friend. They`re fun and they`ll help you fit it all together. And you`ll... Read more
- Also available from:
- The Book Depository, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
2015
- The Way of St Francis
- Via di Francesco: From Florence to Assisi and Rome Read more
Maps
United Kingdom
- Italy North Hallwag Road Map
- Indexed road map of Italy North at 1:650,000 with regional plans of Rome, Florence, Milan, Bologna, Turin, Venice, and Genoa are also included. The map is part of Hallwag Kümmerly + Frey’s distoguide series, that contain an integrated mileage chart on the outer map cover allowing you to read off distances from the map cover itself.The map shows... Read more
United Kingdom
- Val Formazza - Val Bavona - Val Maggia Geo4Map 11 SUPERCEDED
- 1:25,000 hiking map to the north east of Val Formazza centred on Formazza, including Blinnenhorn and Passo di San Giacomo.Published in association with the CAI, the Italian Alpine Club, who are responsible for the trails. Trails are marked on the map. The key information and more detailed information on the rear of the sheet are in Italian,... Read more
United Kingdom
- Interlaken - Grindelwald - Lauterbrunnen - Wengen - Brienz Swisstopo SKI 254S
- Detailed ski map at 1:50,000 from Swisstopo, the country’s national survey organization, showing routes for skiing and/or snowboarding, access by public transport, recommended itineraries, lists of mountain huts, etc. The series uses the cartography of Switzerland’s topographic survey, with additional colouring to show slopes steeper than 30°.... Read more
United Kingdom
- Monte Lessini - Lessinia Tabacco 059
- Monte Lessini – Lessinia area in a series of Tabacco maps at 1:25,000 covering the Dolomites and the mountains of north-eastern Italy - Stanfords’ most popular coverage for this region, with excellent cartography and extensive overprint for hiking routes and other recreational activities, local bus stops, etc. Additional overprint in this title... Read more
United Kingdom
- Ponte di Legno - Alta Val Camonica - Passo del Tonale Kompass 107
- Ponte di Legno - Alta Val Camonica area of northern Italy on a GPS compatible hiking and recreational map at 1:50,000 from Kompass, printed on durable, waterproof and tear-resistant synthetic paper.KOMPASS HIKING MAPS OF ITALY:This title is part of an extensive series of walking maps from Kompass covering selected areas of Italy at mainly... Read more
United Kingdom
- Lanzo - Viù - Chialamberto - Locana 25K IGC Map No. 110
- Lanzo - Viù - Chialamberto - Locana – Cirié – Basse Valli di Lanzo area at 1:25,000 in a series of contoured, GPS compatible walking maps from the Turin based Istituto Geografico Centrale, highlighting hiking trails including long-distance routes, ski routes and alpine accommodation. Maps in this series have contours at 25m intervals, enhanced... Read more
United Kingdom
- Collina di Torino
- Collina di Torino, the hills east of Turin, presented at 1:25,000 in a series of large, contoured and GPS compatible walking maps from Fraternali Editore, printed on light, waterproof and tear-resistant synthetic paper. Maps in this series have topography shown by contour lines at 5m intervals with relief shading, spot heights, and colouring... Read more
United Kingdom
- Collio - Brda - Gorizia Tabacco 054
- Collio - Brda - Gorizia area in a series of Tabacco maps at 1:25,000 covering the Dolomites and the mountains of north-eastern Italy - Stanfords’ most popular coverage for this region, with excellent cartography and extensive overprint for hiking routes and other recreational activities, local bus stops, etc. To see the list of titles in this... Read more
United Kingdom
- Valli di Lanzo Fraternali Editore 08
- Valli di Lanzo in the Italian Alps presented at 1:25,000 in a series of large, contoured and GPS compatible walking maps from Fraternali Editore, printed on light, waterproof and tear-resistant synthetic paper. Maps in this series have topography shown by contour lines at 5m intervals with relief shading, spot heights, and colouring and/or... Read more
United Kingdom
- Forni di Sopra - Ampezzo - Sàuris - Alta Val Taglimento Tabacco 02
- Forni di Sopra - Ampezzo - Sàuris - Alta Val Taglimento area in a series of Tabacco maps at 1:25,000 covering the Dolomites and the mountains of north-eastern Italy - Stanfords’ most popular coverage for this region, with excellent cartography and extensive overprint for hiking routes and other recreational activities, local bus stops, etc.... Read more
United Kingdom
- Sappada - S. Stefano - Forni Avoltri Tabacco 01
- Sappada - S. Stefano - Forni Avoltri area in a series of Tabacco maps at 1:25,000 covering the Dolomites and the mountains of north-eastern Italy - Stanfords’ most popular coverage for this region, with excellent cartography and extensive overprint for hiking routes and other recreational activities, local bus stops, etc. Additional overprint... Read more
United Kingdom
- Il Monferrato: Asti - Casale Monferrato 50K IGC Map No. 20
- The Monferrato region of Piedmont east of Turin, between Asti and Casale Monferrato, in a series contoured hiking maps at 1:50,000 with local trails, long-distance footpaths, mountain accommodation, etc. from the Turin based Istituto Geografico Centrale. This title also shows local cycle routes.Maps in this series have contours at 50m... Read more
United Kingdom
- Tolmin - Bohinjske Gore - Krn - Vogel - Rodica Tabacco 066
- Tabacco maps at 1:25,000 covering the Dolomites and the mountains of north-eastern Italy - Stanfords’ most popular coverage for this region, with excellent cartography and extensive overprint for hiking routes and other recreational activities, local bus stops, etc. To see the list of titles in this series please click on the series link.Maps... Read more
United Kingdom
- Valsesia - Riva Valdobbia - Campertogno - Mollia - Rassa - Scopelllo
- 1:25,000 hiking map to the south west of Valsesia including Riva Valdobbia, Campertogno, Mollia, Rassa, Scopelllo.Published in association with the CAI, the Italian Alpine Club, who are responsible for the trails. Trails are marked on the map. The key information and more detailed information on the rear of the sheet are in Italian, German and... Read more
United Kingdom
- Monte Grappa - Basano - Feltre Tabacco 051
- Monte Grappa - Basano - Feltre in a series of Tabacco maps at 1:25,000 covering the Dolomites and the mountains of north-eastern Italy - Stanfords’ most popular coverage for this region, with excellent cartography and extensive overprint for hiking routes and other recreational activities, local bus stops, etc. Additional overprint in this... Read more