Gregor Clark - Lonely Planet Best Day Hikes Italy 1 (Travel Guide)

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The country that gave the world Michelangelo and the Pantheon might not be everyones first choice for a walking holiday. But, escursionismo (hiking) is one of the latent delights of the bel paese (beautiful country) better known as Italy. With enough trails to ring the globe, and diverse landscapes that oscillate between stark volcanoes, cleaver-sharp alpine ridges and gentle Tuscan hills, the walking potential here is unlimited and surprisingly untapped. While Venice and Rome heave with tourists, the beech forests of Abruzzo and the balmy coastal enclaves of Sardinia are invariably hear-a-pin-drop quiet. Adding to the feeling of detachment are semi-abandoned mountain villages, off-the-radar family-run restaurants, and rutted country lanes where farmers in old Fiats nod a cursory buongiorno. Welcome to Italy, uncensored, uncrowded and devoid of tourist trimmings. Its all yours, if youre happy to undertake a bit of footwork.

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Explore the Italian side of Europes highest peak on this one-day segment of the legendary 170km Tour du Mont Blanc.

From ancient beech woods to high mountain meadows in a land once roamed by medieval hermits, this is rural Italy at its best.

Join a sunset climb to the summit of Sicilys favourite volcanic island and get a close-up look at its eternal fireworks.

From vine to winery, this oenological voyage through the dells and swells of the Tuscan countryside has the making of an all-time classic.

Immerse yourself in the stunning beauty of Sardinias coastline on this adventurous jaunt between two remote coves.

Advertising the true essence of the Italian Lakes amid the finely manicured gardens and villas of Lago di Como.

Thread your way through the Dolomites rocky spires, traversing the wild highlands of Parco Naturale Puez-Odle and descending into an idyllic green valley.

Cross through the ethereal high country of Parco Naturale Fanes-Sennes-Braies, setting for many a Ladin legend.

A wild coastal trail linking a swanky Riviera resort with a tiny monastic beach hamlet.

The scent of lemons, the braying of cliff-side goats, the distant sparkle of the Mediterranean: Italys most famous day walk contours the splendid Amalfi Coast.

DADO DANIELA/GETTY IMAGES

v HISTORY & CULTURE

Beyond historical heavyweight Rome lie smaller but equally compelling snippets of Italys past.

Peel off medieval layers in this rustic rollercoaster of tiny settlements (San Gimignano pictured) that embellish the landscape.

Explore this honeycomb of 5000 prehistoric chamber tombs cut into the limestone canyon walls.

Re-enact the exploits of escaping Allied prisoners as they forged a path across the Appennines.

Make a pilgrimage to this mountain hermitage near Assisi, a favourite spiritual retreat for St Francis in the 13th century.

Climb to a mysterious abandoned village in a collapsed mountaintop cave in Sardinias rugged Supramonte region.

p SPECTACULAR COASTLINES

Italys most famous trails contour the precipitous segments of its coastline, revealing traditional villages that practice geography-defying methods of agriculture.

The path of the gods is indeed a heavenly experience, traversing crags, grottoes and terraces.

This ancient path is a heady melange of terraced gardens, medieval fishing villages and sparkling sea.

Capris top hits packed into 4km of paved paths, tree-draped staircases and coastal splendour.

Weave along the supremely scenic shoreline (pictured) in Sicilys original nature reserve.

Descend past ancient oaks to the blue-green waters of this idyllic cove.

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- QUAINT VILLAGES

Atmospheric borghi (hamlets) and villages abound.

Cliff-clinging medieval villages unchanged by modernism.

Wander through hamlets and glimpse the Matterhorn.

Follow an old Roman road along the shore of Lago di Como.

Gaze down over the alleys of this seaside village (pictured).

Wander between two villages undergoing an eco-inspired renaissance.

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B AVOIDNG THE CROWDS

Its possible to go an entire day without seeing a single person.

Its peaceful amid the peaks.

Youll have these rural trails all to yourself

Commune with animals on this solitary odyssey.

Escape to the turquoise seas of Marettimo.

The less crowded extension of popular Sentiero Azzurro (Riomaggiore pictured).