The paths have now become part of the most sought-after tourist destinations; slow tourism fascinates and involves many nature, outdoor sports, spirituality, and low-impact environmental tourism enthusiasts.

While walking is a simple act, embarking on a journey should not be taken lightly. Some precautions are needed to fully enjoy the journey.

If you, too, would like to try a journey, read our articles "WHAT IS A PATH?" and "WHAT TO DO BEFORE EMBARKING ON A JOURNEY." You will be ready to engage in this splendid experience, and thanks to our advice, you won't find yourself unprepared.

In this article, we will traverse Italy from north to south, passing through the center, discovering the best paths in the national territory. Are you ready to start?

JOURNEYS IN NORTHERN ITALY

Journeys are an unusual, slow, sustainable, authentic, and particularly exciting way to travel.

AOSTA VALLEY

La Via Francigena: da Passo Gran Bernardo a Ivrea 
The Via Francigena is an ancient pilgrimage route that connects the Gran San Bernardo Pass to Ivrea, Italy. Along this approximately 100-kilometer stretch, pilgrims walk through breathtaking landscapes of the Alps and the surrounding valleys. The route passes through historic villages, such as Aosta and Bard, enriching the cultural experience of travelers. Walkers can admire ancient castles, churches, and abbeys along the way, evidence of the rich history of the area. The Via Francigena offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in nature and spirituality, providing an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Piedmont region.

Walser Trekking in Valle d'Aosta
A fascinating route between Val d'Ayas and Valle di Gressoney, from one refuge to another, exploring the picturesque settlements of the Walser population at the end of their migration, savoring their myths and legends. It is a captivating trek during which, in addition to the typical alpine flora and the geomorphological aspects of the area, aspects related to the coexistence between humans and nature in a particularly rugged mountain environment will be addressed.

EMILIA-ROMAGNA

La Via degli Dei: da Bologna a Firenze 
The Via degli Dei is a path that was "rediscovered" in the late '80s, based on the ancient route covered by the Etruscans between the 7th and 4th centuries BCE. It was primarily a trade route, used to increase traffic and exchanges with the settlements of the Po Valley. The Romans later developed the route into a proper road: the Flaminia Militare. The goal was to ensure a connection between Bononia (Bologna) and the cities of Arezzo and Rome, through the most convenient and shortest route across the Apennines. Later, the road fell into disuse, becoming a path gradually reclaimed by vegetation, a true mule track. Now, the Via degli Dei has finally reclaimed its role as a major tourist attraction for trekking and mountain biking enthusiasts.

JOURNEYS IN CENTRAL ITALY

The numerous journeys rediscovered in recent years in Italy traverse ancient paths, bear the names of saints, Roman roads, or historic enterprises. Whether undertaken with a mystical, religious, naturalistic, or sporting spirit, it is worth walking at least one journey in one's lifetime.

TUSCANY

La Via Ghibellina: da Firenze a La Verna 
The Via Ghibellina connects Florence with the Sanctuary of La Verna, a spiritual destination on the route, passing through Bibbiena and the Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Sasso, covering a total of about 80 km. A journey that allows you to visit beautiful landscapes and towns in Tuscany. The route is entirely safe and marked on paths, country roads, and lightly trafficked paved roads. Some sections are paved, providing the thrill of walking on ancient roads rich in historical evidence. Over time, various interventions have been made, overlapping traces from different eras. Along this path, "fragments" of history have been collected to give the traveler the emotion of mentally returning to the past. These fragments connect us to events of the past, the populations that lived there, and even the travelers who passed through.

La Via Romea del Chianti: da Firenze a Siena
This journey from Florence to Siena is called Via Romea del Chianti because, through the Francigena route, it allows reaching Rome and crosses one of the most beautiful and renowned areas of Tuscany, that of Chianti, famous for wine production.

La Via Romea Germanica: da Chiusi della Verna a Castiglione del Lago
An unforgettable journey through the history and pristine nature of Italy, along the ancient paths of pilgrims on this enchanting itinerary, enriched by an extraordinary cultural and artistic heritage. You can admire the majesty of the Tuscan-Romagnolo Apennines and be enchanted by the breathtaking views of Lake Trasimeno and Lake Chiusi. Explore charming medieval villages and immerse yourself in the authenticity of local traditions.

The Via Francigena
The Via Francigena is one of the most important pilgrimage routes of medieval Europe and remains an unforgettable experience for modern travelers. Walking along this route, you'll feel part of a journey undertaken by thousands of pilgrims over the centuries, providing a sense of historical continuity and spirituality.

La Via Francigena: da Lucca a Siena 

La Via Francigena: da Siena a Viterbo 

UMBRIA

Il grande anello del Monte Cucco: trekking nella natura!  
An itinerary that traverses various places, starting from Fossato di Vico, proceeding towards Val di Ranco and Costacciaro. Monte Cucco, Pascelupo, La Valle delle Prigioni, and Gubbio will be the stages crossed until the return to Fossato di Vico.

La Via di San Benedetto
A captivating 300 km journey that winds through the heart of Italy: from Umbria, through Lazio, to the border with Campania. All stages unfold along paths, dirt roads, and low-traffic streets, traversing the valleys and mountains of Umbria and Lazio.

La Via di San Benedetto: da Norcia a Montecassino 

La Via di San Benedetto: da Norcia a Rieti 

La Via di San Francesco
A spiritual journey, a pilgrimage of faith uniting pilgrims from around the world on the same roads that Saint Francis traveled in the 13th century.

La Via di San Francesco: da Assisi a Roma 

La Via di San Francesco: da Citta' di Castello ad Assisi 

La Via di San Francesco: da Greccio ad Assisi

La Via di San Francesco: da Gubbio ad Assisi 

La Via di San Francesco: da La Verna ad Assisi

La Via di San Francesco: da Piediluco ad Assisi

La Via di San Francesco: da Pietralunga ad Assisi

La Via di San Francesco: da Spoleto ad Assisi

Il cammino dei Protomartiri Francescani
The Cammino dei Protomartiri Francescani is one of the most evocative and spiritual journeys you can undertake. It is located within the diocesan territory of Terni-Narni-Amelia and passes through the cities that gave birth to the Protomartyrs Berardo, Adiuto, Accursio, Pietro, and Ottone: Terni, Stroncone, Calvi dell'Umbria, Narni, San Gemini, and Cesi.

Il cammino dei Protomartiri Francescani

La Via Romea
Throughout history, there have been many "Vie Romee," different from each other based on the starting points, road conditions, and the presence of dangers, including banditry. A fundamental factor was the possibility of finding shelter in safe places, such as ecclesiastical and monastic orders.

La Via Romea Germanica: da Castiglione del Lago a Montefiascone

If you want to delve deeper, also check out our article "THE BEST JOUNEYS IN UMBRIA"

LAZIO

La Via di San Francesco e dell'Arcangelo Michele: da Poggio Bustone ad Ateleta
This route was born from the study of the territory and Franciscan sources, attempting to understand the path that Francis may have taken to reach the Grotto of the Archangel, the first place of Christian pilgrimage in Italy and a route particularly traveled by medieval men. The Umbria of San Francesco was a Lombard Duchy, and we know that the Umbrians went on large pilgrimages to the Archangel's Grotto, the main saint of the Lombards. This journey traces a diagonal 511 km long in central Italy, divided into 25 stages through Lazio, Abruzzo, Molise, and Puglia, partly following mule tracks and tratturi, stopping in villages and cities all waiting to be discovered, preserving memories of San Francesco's passage.

La Via Francigena: da Viterbo a Roma
The Via Francigena is a marvelous journey, a surprising path from the first to the last step. You will encounter the charming medieval center of Viterbo, where there is an entire neighborhood dedicated to pilgrims. You will traverse ancient Etruscan roads, being able to admire the Roman amphitheater of Sutri entirely carved into the tufa, and you will be enchanted by the greenery of Monte Mario Park and Monte della Gioia, where you will finally catch sight of the dome of St. Peter's. The Lazio landscape, green and hilly, will accompany you from one ancient village to the next along the final stretch of the Via Francigena.

ABRUZZO

Hike and Bike tour in Abruzzo
It is a partially itinerant tour that combines walks to discover the Aquilan and Teramo sides of Gran Sasso, the highest Apennine mountain, with bike rides to connect the two sides and reach the Teramo coast. It is a very panoramic tour, giving the sensation of touching the sky with every step, and the view extends to the sea. This is a typically Abruzzese characteristic: having the mountain within reach of the sea! With the bicycle, you will cross the Vasto Valley along one of the most beautiful cycling routes in Italy, a way to savor and intensely experience nature through two of the most practiced sports during the summer.