Trieste
Gran Paradiso National Park
Monti Sibillini National Park
Apennine Mountains
Genoa
The Dolomites
For anyone who questions whether Italy is one of the most naturally awe-inspiring countries in the world, we have just the thing for you. It’s called Sentiero Italia, the Grand Italian Trail, and it stretches 3,700 miles from Slovenia-bordering Trieste in the northeast, across the snow-capped Italian Alps, along the western border of France, down through the backbone of the boot to the tip of its toe, then island hopping to Sicily and Sardinia. Divided into 368 mesmerizing sections that allow you to hike deeper and deeper into the country’s culture, you could easily spend days, weeks or even months covering the trail. Here are some highlights you might enjoy along the way.
GRAND Italian
HIKING ITALY'S
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Tuscany
GULF OF NAPLES
tyrrhenian sea
Venice
Rome
Trieste
Those bold enough to conquer the entire trail often take their first steps in Trieste, a beautifully haunting boarder city filled with artists, writers and international flare.
Monti Sibillini National Park
Tuscany
Apennine Mountains
Genoa
Gran Paradiso National Park
The Dolomites
Trieste
The Dolomites
Just one of many UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the trail, the Dolomites reach high into the sky, the sun shimmering off their granite peaks in a cascade of colors, often rendering one speechless.
Gran Paradiso
Gran Paradiso was the first to receive National Park status in Italy, and for good reason. The namesake mountain looms majestically over wide alpine grasslands alive with long-horned ibex and curious marmots.
Genoa
This ancient city—once one of the world’s most commanding maritime powers—charms all visitors with historic squares, winding alleyways and grandiose palazzos.
Apennine Mountains
The Grand Italian Trail winds through the Apennine Mountains, often referred to as the backbone of Italy as they stretch nearly 1,000 miles down the country’s east coast.
Tuscany
There is simply nothing more romantic, more inspiring than the rolling landscapes of Tuscany, where medieval towns and cozy villages are spread out across vineyards and verdant hillsides.
Monti Sibillini
The trail picks its way through the rugged beauty of this awe-striking mountain range, which boasts 10 peaks over 6,500 feet high.
ADRIATIC sea
IONIAN sea
TRAIL
Check out the top sights you’ll catch along the way.
National Park
Santa Teresa Gallura, Sardinia
Santa Teresa Gallura, Sardinia
National Park
Campobasso
The Grand Italian Trail includes several pleasant diversions that allow you to venture off to explore places like Campobasso, a historic town known for its fine steel blades since the 8th century.
Campobasso
Campobasso
Mount Vesuvius
Another trail diversion springs off toward the Amalfi Coast, where you can get up close and personal with one of history’s most famous volcanos and see firsthand what it did to Pompeii.
Mount Vesuvius
Mount Vesuvius
Pollino National Park
The largest national park in the country, Pollino is a natural haven filled with wooded slopes, flower-filled grasslands and picturesque mountains.
Pollino National Park
Pollino National Park
Catanzaro
As the trail takes you deeper toward Italy’s ‘toe,’ you’ll pass near Catanzaro, an ancient seaport that overlooks two seas: the Ionian to the east and the Tyrrhenian to the west.
Catanzaro
Catanzaro
Palermo, Sicily
Palermo, Sicily
As the trail takes you deeper toward Italy’s ‘toe,’ you’ll pass near Catanzaro, an ancient seaport that overlooks two seas: the Ionian to the east and the Tyrrhenian to the west.
Santa Teresa Gallura
The trail continues across the Tyrrhenian Sea to bisect the storied island of Sardinia, ending at its northern tip in Santa Teresa Gallura, a seaside village home to stunning beaches.
Sardinia
Palermo
Sicily
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