Hiking in Tuscany

Tuscany is without doubt a hiker’s paradise. Strolling, walking, hiking, trekking – even mountain climbing – are all catered for by Tuscany’s wonderful variety of terrain, splendid climate and innumerable sights. Do you prefer a a quiet stroll through a country village or around the precincts of a monastery? Every corner of Tuscany offers the most picturesque opportunities. Perhaps you prefer a country walk among the vineyards and through the olive groves in Chianti, or along the coastal walking paths or an endless, deserted beach? Not only are rural and coastal walking paths readily available but many of them are marked and sign-posted.

Hikers are well catered for in terms of guide books covering walking and hiking trails in Tuscany and the rest of Italy. These guide books cover the most important walking and hiking trails in Tuscany, but visitors should not hesitate to set off along any of the strade bianche of Tuscany – basically the dirt and gravel roads that meander from one farmstead or monastery to another in the Tuscan countryside. There is little traffic on these roads and they usually afford wonderful panoramic views and a surprise at every turn in the form of a picturesque casa colinica (farm house), ancient tower, tiny chapel, huge monastery and so on. During spring and summer, the strade bianche are a must for lovers of wild flowers, including the famous red poppies, and orchids, of which Tuscany is home to a surprising variety (more on the orchids of Tuscany).

For those interested in a multi-day hike with accommodation along the way, one of the most popular routes follows the ancient pilgrimage route known as the Via Francigena – the mediaeval walking path from Canterbury to Rome. The is pilgrimage route passes through Tuscany and is well signposted.

Books on Walking and Hiking Trails in Italy.

This tiny gem is the Chiesetta di San Bartolomeo a Carmignanello. We don’t show it as a destination to be sought out but rather as an example of the amazing surprises awaiting you almost any time you go hiking in Tuscany.

More about the hiking in Tuscany.