Hiking Northern Italy: Our Tours

The most suitable time of year for your walking tour depends on your chosen tour. If you're dreaming of wild trails with panoramic mountain views like those in the Alps and Dolomites, you should consider booking during the summer season, spanning from June to September.

In the rolling hills away from the mountain peaks, spring (April-June) and autumn(September-October) are ideal times, thanks to the warm weather, cool breeze, and smaller crowds. November is generally still pleasant, with warm temperatures. We've mentioned the best time of year to undertake each tour on the specific trip pages.

On many of our north Italy holidays, you'll need to book your own transport to the starting location of the tour you've chosen. Luckily, that's made simple thanks to the fantastic public transport network in the region. There are plenty of direct bus connections between the mountains and cities like Venice and Bologna. We offer transfers on request. Whether you'd like to reach the starting location or depart from your final stop on tour, please get in touch to start building your quote.

We're proud to have a varied offering of north Italy holidays, each revealing a different side to the region. Our hiking tours span from the lakes to the mountains, all the way to quiet rural paths and the vineyards of Piedmont. We recommend checking the description for each tour, as this will provide valuable information on the kinds of scenery to expect along the way. If you need assistance, our team is here to help you select the perfect itinerary.

If you've got your eye on one of our walking holidays in northern Italy, there are two ways to make a booking enquiry:

• Send us an email at info@sloways.eu or call us on (+39) 0552340736. We'll ask you how many people you're going with, when you'd prefer to depart, and about any extra requests you have for your trip.
• Use our online calculator to receive a quote for your chosen tour. You can find this tool on each tour page on our website. If you're happy with the provisional price, please send a request to our office. We'll respond to proceed – and then confirm the final price once we've checked hotel and refuge availability.

Our north Italy holidays give you an authentic taste of life in the mountains. Whether you're hiking our heart of the Dolomites tour or the breathtaking Val Venosta, we'll arrange comfortable and friendly stays in local mountain refuges. Expect basic but cozy bedrooms and delicious, homemade meals to keep you fueled for the next day's adventure.
Away from the mountains, we book accommodation in B&Bs, farmhouses, and 3-star hotels, all including private rooms and bathrooms. These accommodations blend comfort with authenticity, allowing you to fully immerse in hiking northern Italy. 

If it's your first walking holiday in Northern Italy, the best starting point depends on the landscape you're drawn to. For lakes and gentle scenery, the Sentiero del Viandante (Lake Como) is genuinely accessible, with spectacular views of Varenna and Bellagio and daily stages of around 10-15 km. For a taste of the Dolomites without technical difficulty, the Easy Chestnut Route in South Tyrol passes through chestnut groves, medieval castles, and abbeys, and is also popular with families. Both trips are self-guided, so you walk at your own pace with full logistical support.

On a hut-to-hut itinerary, such as the Dolomites Alta Via, you stay each night at a mountain refuge (rifugio), which typically offers shared or private rooms, hearty mountain meals, and a very different atmosphere from a hotel. These trips require a higher fitness level and are best suited to experienced walkers comfortable with steep terrain and altitude. Standard Dolomites walking holidays, like the Sentiero del Castagno, use hotels, B&Bs, or agriturismi as your base each night, with luggage transferred between stops so you walk with only a day pack. We offer both formats, and each trip page specifies which accommodation style applies.

The ideal season depends on the route:

• Dolomites and Alpine routes (Via Francigena Stage 1, Alta Via, Via Spluga): July to September, when mountain passes are snow-free and the weather is stable.

• Lake Como, Prosecco Hills, and Langhe: April to June and September to October, when temperatures are pleasant and the landscapes are at their most vivid. The Langhe in autumn, during the truffle and harvest season, is particularly special.

• Via Francigena lowland stages (Pavia to Fidenza, Fidenza to Pontremoli): Spring and autumn are ideal; midsummer can be warm on the plains.

We generally advise against planning Alpine routes before late June or after mid-October.

Each area offers a completely different experience:

• Dolomites: dramatic vertical landscapes, hut-to-hut adventures, UNESCO-listed peaks. Best for walkers who want altitude, challenge, and raw mountain scenery.

• Lake Como and Val Chiavenna: elegant lakeside villages, historic paths, moderate gradients. Ideal for those who want beautiful scenery without strenuous climbs.

• Langhe and Piedmont (Barolo to Barbaresco): rolling vine-covered hills, world-class wine, slower pace. Perfect if food and culture matter as much as the walking itself.

• Prosecco Hills: UNESCO-listed terraced vineyards, panoramic ridgelines, gentle stages. A great option for those who want a scenic, manageable route with excellent food and wine.

If you're unsure, get in touch and we'll help you find the best fit based on your fitness level, travel dates, and what you're hoping to experience.