Italy calls to walkers who like their scenery with a sense of theatre. You move through famous places where limestone cliffs drop into electric-blue water, fishing villages cling to rock faces, and mountain paths open onto church bells and café terraces.
If you’re not sure where to start, these five popular routes suit anyone who enjoys steady effort and the promise of good food along the way.
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Busatte to Tempesta, Lake Garda
Above the north-eastern edge of Lake Garda, this route follows a sought-after line of metal staircases and forest tracks suspended over the water. The path keeps the gradient manageable, so you spend less time grinding uphill and more time enjoying broad views across the lake.
You cover roughly four kilometres one way, and buses link Torbole, Tempesta and Riva, removing any pressure to retrace your steps. Lake Garda holidays often start on the shoreline, and this walk adds perspective without needing alpine fitness.
Santiero degli Dei, Amalfi Coast
This famous trail between Agerola and Nocelle is known fondly as the Path of the Gods. You walk a narrow ribbon cut into the mountainside, with lemon terraces below and the sea stretching far into the distance.
Clear weather matters here because mist robs the drama, so checking local forecasts pays off. The route takes three to four hours at a relaxed pace, and cafés in Nocelle give you a rewarding finishing point before you descend to Positano by steps or bus.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo Loop, Dolomites
71% of UK travellers are planning a mountain escape this summer or Autumn, and the Dolomites’ routes feel iconic for good reason.
The Tre Cime loop circles three jagged peaks on a well-maintained path that levels out after an initial climb. You benefit from setting off in the morning, when light sharpens the mountain contours and crowds are still thin.
A full loop covers around ten kilometres, so carrying water and snacks avoids pricey rifugio (mountain hut) stops if queues build later in the day.
Val d’Orcia, Dolomites
This trail offers quieter drama than Tre Cime, with gentler ascents and constant changes in scenery. Alpine meadows give way to woodland, then open again onto valley views framed by pale rock. The circular, well-marked route removes any navigation stress and keeps things new and interesting.
This walk suits anyone who prefers immersion over viewpoints, especially if you visit in early summer when wildflowers dominate the foreground.
Sentiero Azzurro, Cinque Terre
The blue trail stitches together Cinque Terre’s villages, letting you walk directly between pastel harbours instead of squeezing onto regional trains. Paid entry via a Cinque Terre trekking card supports path maintenance, so stopping at a local ticket office before you set off saves time later.
Short sections between towns allow you to choose distances that suit your energy levels, and frequent descents deliver you straight onto restaurant terraces where seafood and cold drinks feel well earned!
Which route has you lacing up your boots? Whichever you choose first, you’ll be compelled to return to Italy to tick off the rest.
