What are the most beautiful walking routes in Italy? The guide
Choosing among the most beautiful walking routes in Italy does not mean creating a ranking, but understanding which experience you want to undertake: pilgrimage, cultural trekking, inner journey, nature itinerary or a slow immersion in the country’s lesser-known territories. Walking routes in Italy have this distinctive feature: they connect art cities, villages, Apennine ridges, sanctuaries, ancient Roman roads, coasts, forests and rural landscapes still legible in their historical structure. The choice depends on duration, physical preparation, season and the level of independence required. Some routes are suitable for a first walking trip, others require training, orientation skills and several consecutive days. In any case, the value lies not only in reaching the destination, but in the progression: a steady pace allows Italy to be read as a living atlas, where geography, religious memory, local identity and landscape create a deeper experience than a simple tourist itinerary.
Which walking routes in Italy to choose for history, spirituality and villages
Among the major Italian walking routes with a historical and spiritual focus, the Via Francigena remains the most authoritative reference: it crosses Europe and, in Italy, passes through Valle d’Aosta, Piedmont, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany and Lazio, reaching Rome. It is an ideal route for those seeking a long, flexible journey rich in parish churches, abbeys, medieval villages and agricultural landscapes. More compact, yet extremely intense, is the Via di Francesco, which connects La Verna, Assisi and the Umbrian valley to the figure of the saint, with a rare balance between spirituality, nature and art cities. The Cammino di San Benedetto, from Norcia to Montecassino, crosses the central Apennines with a more contemplative and mountainous character. Those looking for a more narrative itinerary can turn to the Cammino dei Briganti, between Abruzzo and Lazio, where the historical dimension of borderlands is intertwined with beech forests, plateaus and small Apennine towns. These are different routes, but united by the same idea: walking to enter the depth of places, not simply to pass through them.
What are the most beautiful walking routes in Italy for nature, sea and landscapes
For those seeking the most scenic walking routes, the Via degli Dei is one of the most well-known choices: it connects Bologna and Florence through the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, following ridges, forests and stretches of ancient Roman roads. The Cammino di Oropa, in Piedmont, is often considered one of the best options for beginners, as it is short, well organised and leads to the sanctuary in a few days. In the South, the Cammino Materano offers a slow journey between Puglia and Basilicata, reaching Matera through olive groves, dry stone walls, ravines and Murgia landscapes. More rugged is the Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara, in the Sulcis-Iglesiente area: here Sardinia reveals a mining, coastal and silent face, made up of cliffs, industrial archaeology, ancient villages, breathtaking sunsets and protected natural areas. In Sicily, walking means encountering the island’s Greek roots, Mount Etna, coastal reserves and the eastern side of Sicily, where volcanic nature, Baroque architecture and Mediterranean memory coexist. To choose well, it is important to consider elevation gain, daily stages, water availability, accommodation, return connections, walking credentials and season: spring and autumn remain the most balanced periods, while summer requires caution in southern and island sections, often more exposed to heat.
Where to stay with VOIhotels in Sardinia and Sicily after a walking trip
After a walking route, or as a base for exploring nature and cultural itineraries, VOIhotels offers resorts on two islands central to slow Mediterranean travel. In Sardinia, VOI Tanka Village in Villasimius, Tanka Selected and VOI Colonna Village in Golfo Aranci combine sea, relaxation, sports and discovery of the territory, with formats designed to alternate days at the beach, activities and rest. In Sicily, VOI Arenella Resort near Syracuse, VOI Baia di Tindari Resort and VOI Marsa Siclà Essentia offer access to coasts, villages, nature reserves, archaeological sites and landscapes of the South-East, balancing hospitality, authenticity and proximity to the island’s most significant places. It is an offer suited to those who wish to complete the walking experience with a curated stay, capable of providing comfort without breaking the connection with landscape, culture and nature.
