Copper-coloured leaves, trails free of summer crowds and crisp air that makes walking a pleasure: autumn is when Italy’s long-distance walking routes are at their best. A few hours by train or car can bring you to itineraries combining nature, history and local food, well suited to a 2–4-day break.
There are circular routes, selected stages of longer trails and classic hikes that can become the centrepiece of a weekend. Distances are manageable, elevation gains are often moderate, and there is no shortage of villages for a rest along the way.
Northern Italy: lakes, vineyards and ancient paths
Northern Italy has scenic walking routes that alternate between lakeside villages, vineyards and old mule tracks. Many sections are connected to the rail network or organised as short circular routes, so it is easy to adjust a weekend’s walking to suit your energy levels.
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Oropa Way (Piedmont)
A classic route in the Biella area: roughly 65 km over four stages of 14–16 km, starting in Santhià and ending at the Sanctuary of Oropa. The elevation gain is modest, and the route takes 3–4 days, making it well suited to anyone keen to try a multi-day walk for the first time.
In autumn, the woods are filled with warm colours, making the higher sections particularly striking.
Wayfarer’s Path (Lake Como, Lombardy)
Around 45 km along the eastern shore of Lake Como, between Abbadia Lariana and Colico, divided into 3–4 stages. The route follows old paths through olive groves and lakeside villages such as Varenna and Bellano, with mountain-framed views along the way.
The difficulty is moderate, and the Lecco–Tirano railway makes it straightforward to break up the route or return to your starting point.
Bardolino Walk (Veneto)
A network of cycling and walking paths covering roughly 100 km across 18 circular routes of 3–20 km, in the hills around the Veneto side of Lake Garda. It works well as a flexible weekend: one circuit a day through vineyards, olive groves and lakeside views, perhaps paired with a winery tasting.
The grape harvest season gives the experience an added dimension, without long transfers or demanding stages.
Via degli Abati – the Bobbio section (Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany)
This historic monastic route runs between Pavia and Pontremoli, covering around 190 km over eight days, and is particularly associated with its Apennine crossings. In autumn, the stretch around Bobbio is especially atmospheric and works well for a three-day trek.
Dirt tracks, woodland and old drove roads tell the story of the abbots of San Colombano, amid rugged landscapes and abbeys. It is an intense taste of the “mountain Francigena”, without completing the whole route.
In the heart of Italy: forests, villages and spirituality
Across the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines and the Umbrian-Marche ridge, autumn brings beech woods and chestnut groves into colour. Historic walking routes have 2–4-day variations, often passing hermitages, sanctuaries and medieval villages.
Sacred Forests Trail (Casentino Forests National Park)
This route covers around 100 km across seven stages, between Lake Ponte di Tredozio and La Verna, in the Tuscan section of the park. A weekend can focus on one or two stages, or the central section, surrounded by beech forests at the height of the autumn colours.
Views open up continually across hills, hermitages and waterways.
Wool and Silk Route (Bologna–Prato)
This 130 km route runs across Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany in six stages, following the water-powered textile tradition. For a weekend, the early stages in the Bologna Apennines are a good option, with villages and wooded valleys.
The variety of colours in autumn makes the crossings especially scenic.
Silent Villages Walk (Umbria)
A circular route of around 90 km through the Amerini Hills, beginning and ending in Tenaglie. It can be completed in 3–5 days, alternating between dirt roads, trails and quiet lanes through olive groves and villages where time seems to slow down.
Franciscan Way of the Marche (Umbria and Marche)
This route runs between Assisi and Ascoli Piceno: 167 km over eight stages, with stretches on gravel roads and mountain paths. A 3–4-day trip can focus on the sections within the Monti Sibillini National Park, particularly striking for their autumn colours and open views.
The route combines nature and spirituality, with steady climbs and welcoming towns.
St Benedict’s Way (Umbria and Lazio)
A major 310 km route completed in roughly 16 days, linking Norcia, Subiaco and Montecassino. For an autumn weekend, the Lazio stages around Subiaco work particularly well, passing monasteries, gorges and woodland.
The route uses mixed terrain, with manageable elevation gains and plenty of opportunities to stop for cultural visits.
Memory and the Apennines: resistance and bandits
These autumn walks combine historical memory and natural beauty, with stages well suited to a long weekend.
Freedom Trail (Abruzzo)
Around 60 km over three stages through the Majella National Park, between Sulmona and Casoli. It retraces the escape routes used in 1943 by Allied prisoners and young Italians heading towards friendly lines.
Autumn intensifies the colours of the beech woods and brings particularly comfortable walking temperatures.
Bandits’ Walk (Abruzzo and Lazio)
A circular route of around 100 km, traditionally completed in seven days but easily split into 3–4 days for a proper taste of the route. Across the Val de Varri, Valle del Salto and the slopes of Monte Velino, it passes through the territory of the Cartore band, along the old border between the Papal States and the Bourbon Kingdom.
Woodland, high ground and villages tell the story of a compelling borderland.
Southern Italy and the islands: autumn sea views and mild weather
Across the Tyrrhenian coast and Sicily, autumn brings clear days, pleasant breezes and very few crowds. These walks feature coastal landscapes as well as surprising inland scenery, with the chance to focus on 2–4 representative stages.
Path of the Gods (Amalfi Coast, Campania)
This well-known route runs between Agerola and Nocelle near Positano: around 8 km and 3–4 hours on foot. Autumn temperatures make it more comfortable, with continual views across the Amalfi Coast and towards Capri.
It works particularly well as the focus of a weekend, alongside shorter visits to the nearby villages.
Magna Via Francigena – inland stages (Sicily)
This long route covers 180 km between Palermo and Agrigento, normally taking around nine days. A 3–4-day break can focus on inland sections, including those crossing the Madonie Park between Corleone and Castronovo di Sicilia.
Mild weather, historic trazzere — traditional rural tracks — and perched villages create an unexpected mix.
Basilian Way – selected sections in Calabria’s parks
A 955 km route divided into 44 stages, cutting through Calabria north to south in the footsteps of the Italo-Greek monks. An autumn weekend can focus on sections in the Pollino, Sila or Aspromonte national parks.
Comfortable temperatures, deep quiet and changing woodland colours make for an authentic experience.
Article originally published on The Wom Travel: L’autunno si scopre a piedi: i cammini italiani da percorrere tra boschi e borghi
Source: https://www.idealista.it/