Italy Hiking Tours

Italy is beautiful year round, with each season offering its own unique charms. While July and August are the warmest and sunniest, they are also the busiest months of the year, and popular destinations usually draw bigger crowds in these summer months. Winter brings cooler temperatures and lighter crowds, but rainfall which can be a hindrance, especially for mountain hiking.

Spring and fall are usually the best seasons to visit Italy, as there are fewer tourists and comfortable temperatures, but still plenty of sunshine. Italy is especially beautiful during May and June, when the landscapes are carpeted with wildflowers, and in October, when the grape harvest creates a buzz of excitement in its wonderful wine regions.

Once you’ve selected your destination and booked your tour, it’s time to prepare for your hiking adventure. Review your specific tour’s trip notes for lots of details about essential equipment, joining instructions, and even information on the typical weather in the region. You’ll also find information on the activity level, which you can use to guide your fitness preparations. It’s helpful to begin a regular exercise routine leading up to your trip, focusing on cardiovascular fitness and strengthening key muscle groups like your legs and core. Check out our walking & trekking fitness guide for more advice on how to prepare physically for your trip.

At Exodus, our trips are designed to foster a community of like-minded explorers, and whether you join a tour solo or with a partner, friend, or family member, you’ll be welcomed with open arms. In fact, roughly fifty percent of our adult travelers are traveling solo. Small-group tours are ideal for traveling solo but not alone, offering the comfort and security of experienced guides and fellow travelers to share the journey with.

It’s our policy to never charge a single supplement for our group tours, and we allow you the option of sharing a room with another traveler of the same gender, or for an additional cost you can have your own room.

Each tour at Exodus is designed to immerse you in your destination. Our goal is for you to fall in love with the country, so we introduce you to a rich blend of history, culture and scenery. On an Italian hiking tour, you’ll spend time exploring the landscape and soaking in the sights and sounds on the trails, and between treks you’ll indulge in incredible cuisine, visit iconic landmarks and hidden gems, and engage with the local culture. Your expert guide will ensure that every step of the way is a memorable one, and the small group size guarantees an adventure filled with off-the-beaten-path sites that can’t accommodate larger tours. It’s the best way to experience authentic Italy.

Italy has many world-renowned hiking trails, each offering a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural richness. In the Dolomites, Tre Cime is the most famous loop, where hikers are treated to panoramic views of jagged peaks and lush valleys. The Amalfi Coast’s Path of the Gods is another world-famous hike, offering a dramatic coastal trek with stunning vistas of the Tyrrhenian Sea and charming villages. The Cinque Terre trail, a UNESCO-listed coastal path, winds through the iconic colorful villages along the Ligurian coast and draws visitors from around the world.

Perhaps the most famous trail though is the Tour du Mont Blanc, a mountain hike encircling Europe’s highest peak, which passes through the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps. The Italian portion of the trail has great views of the Mont Blanc range, and passes through Courmayeur, a beautiful traditional alpine village. 

If you’re new to hiking holidays but you’d love to explore Italy on a hiking tour, don’t worry because many of our hiking trips in Italy are suitable for beginners. All of our tours are assigned activity levels and the trip notes drill down further into the difficulty of the trails and activities, helping you select the perfect trip for your abilities and experience.

We have several hiking tours that follow easier trails through the countryside, vineyards and along the coast that don’t require too much effort. Our Walking Puglia and Matera tour introduces you to the rural and historical sites of Puglia, with quieter routes and easy to moderate hiking. Alternatively, our Walk the Prosecco Hills tour takes you on gentler hikes through the vineyards and rolling hills of the Prosecco region, one of the most famous wine regions in Italy.

To make sure you get the most out of your Italy hiking tours, pack smart and remember that even in the summer, the weather can change at any given moment. We’ve listed below some of the most important items to pack but be sure to check the trip notes in your itinerary for more detailed information.

• Comfortable, breathable and waterproof hiking boots
• Breathable clothing for warm weather
• Waterproof jacket for unexpected rainfall
• Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
• Layers for cooler mornings and evenings
• Backpack with essentials (water, snacks, map)
• Power adapter for charging devices
• Camera to capture the scenery and experiences
• First-aid kit
• Travel documents (passport, insurance, etc.)

Yes, Exodus guided hiking tours in Italy include local guides. We want to ensure you have the best experience possible on your trip, so we use expert local guides who have unrivaled knowledge of the places you visit. As well as providing you with insider knowledge of the history, culture and landscapes that goes beyond the guidebooks, they take you on trails less traveled to hidden gems that you wouldn’t otherwise discover. But what makes our local guides really stand out from the rest is their unique and personal storytelling that brings a region’s heritage to life. And if you’re ever in need of a little support or encouragement along your journey, they will provide that too.

Both our self-guided and group tours have individual benefits for hiking in Italy, and depending on your preferences, one type may suit you more than the other. If you enjoy structure, socializing and all the finer details to be taken care of, group tours might be best. Whereas, if you prefer flexibility, solo exploration and impromptu adventures, then self-guided tours could be more your style.

Group tours benefits:

• Expert guides with local knowledge and insights
• Shared experiences with like-minded travelers
• Logistical support and safety guidance

Self-guided tours benefits:

• Personalized experience tailored to your interests
• Flexibility to set your own pace and schedule
• Independence to explore at your leisure