Italy · HIKING & TREKKING
The good hiking & trekking days go weeks ahead and the famous ones go months ahead. Below: the 15 to book before you fly, what each includes and where they differ.
Set out from Florence with guides such as Claudia, Chris, JoJo, or Alessandro for a 13-hour Cinque Terre day. Choose guided hiking, train travel, or a Pisa combination. Expect steep steps, free time, a possible boat ride, and a small group of up to 25 people.
“Best day trip to the region of cinque de terra. Well planned with very knowledgeable guide . Well worth a visit.”
Join Walkabout Tours for a 13-hour English-language trip from Florence to all five Cinque Terre villages. Guides such as Chris, Claudia, Emma, Manuel, and Noemi lead the train connections, coastal walk, optional Corniglia to Vernazza hike, and seasonal boat ride. Expect a fast pace, steep steps, and striking sea views.
“Ado and Luca were excellent guides. Ado knows so much about the history of the area and is very passionate about sharing his knowledge with the group. The bus was excellent, very new and comfortable and the driver was excellent; drove very safely. My daughter (21) and I did this tour. The day was packed full with moving from one village to the next, and was a little too busy to try going for a swim but the beauty is incredible and I couldn’t have negotiated trains and sightseeing on our own, so this was a great option! We got it all in!!”
Ride the Etna cable car to 2,504 meters, then hike with a volcanic guide toward the highest point permitted that day. You’ll cross the 2002/2003 eruption zone, see active craters, a lava channel, and the Valle del Bove. Guides such as Edoardo, Giuseppe, and Leonardo are known for clear explanations, humor, and careful pacing.
“Superb organized tour with a really fantastic and extremely helpful guide (Guiseppe). Thanks for the unique experience!”
Reach 3,000 meters on Mount Etna with an English, French, or Italian speaking guide. Ride the cable car and 4x4, then hike across black sand to lateral craters, a 2002 effusive vent, recent lava flows from December 2023, and a lava channel. Guides such as Giuseppe, Marco, Michele, and Nino are praised for clear explanations and steady pacing.
“Regardless of how you decide to do it visiting Etna isn't going to be cheap. However, it is absolutely 100% worth the money! It is an incredible place and Etna Sud Excursions look after you all the way. They provide the right clothing, sort out the cable car and buses for you and give you amazing knowledge about the volcano they are clearly proud of, all of that with a super friendly welcome. Really would recommend.”
Hike Mount Etna with a small group of up to eight, using the cable car and 4x4 to reach 2,850 meters. With guides such as Simone, Alessandro, Vincenzo, and Marco, you’ll walk toward the summit craters, pass the 2002 eruption sites, explore volcanic terrain, and see the Valle del Bove. The €65 transport supplement is paid separately.
“Amazing tour and views! The trek to the summit seems unearthly. Highly recommend if you want to see Mt. Etna up close and personal.”
Meet Ashàra’s guide team at Rifugio Sapienza for a six-hour Etna hike. You’ll ride the cable car to 2,500 meters, walk across lava flows, visit Barbagallo Craters and the Valle del Bove, and approach the summit when conditions allow. Guides such as Antonio, Giovanni, and Marco are praised for clear explanations and careful pacing.
“The only difficulty was finding where to check in. Our guide, Giovanni, was excellent and a geologist as well, very informative. We were grateful they provided good shoes or other equipment as needed”
Meet Ashàra Etna & Stromboli Guides near Piazza San Vincenzo for a five-hour sunset hike to 400 meters on Stromboli. Guides such as Giuseppe, Giovanni, Nino, and Federico lead the group through island history and volcanic terrain before the sunset and eruptions at Sciara del Fuoco. Hiking shoes, water, and an overnight stay on Stromboli are essential.
“This is an amazing experience and we can't recommend it enough, we loved the trip and it was a big tick off the bucket list. The trek is a good 5hours in total but with plenty of stops for water and rest breaks and information about the volcano. It is quite a hike with a few narrow paths but don't be put off as there was a real mix of ages and everyone coped well. Be prepared to get sweaty though and to descend in the dark. Giuseppe our guide from Ashara was amazing, very friendly and knowledgeable and gave us loads of information about the volcano. You will see…”
Spend seven hours exploring Mount Etna with guides such as Antonio, Renato, and Marco. Travel by van from Catania, hike quiet volcanic paths between 1,850 and 2,400 meters, visit a lava cave when conditions allow, and finish near the Silvestri Craters. Shoes, poles, and warm layers are provided.
“the trip was brilliant the guides were very informative and good crack and the views were amazing! the guides had all equipment so we didn’t have to worry about bringing or renting walking poles/walking boots etc. a great day trip would recommend:)”
From Sorrento, ride by air-conditioned minibus to the Path of the Gods for a four-hour guided hike. Guides such as Nino, Monica, Antonio, and Pepe lead routes suited to different abilities, with trekking poles, coastal views, local stories, and a memorable shepherd’s hut stop often part of the day.
“Nino and his guides were excellent and very personable. The hike was beautiful and a little tricky but with many breaks as Nino gave us information about the area. We had a wonderful lunch at a farmer’s house with fresh cheese and vegetables along with bread and wine. Bring some euro to tip for lunch as this is how the farmers sustain their life in the hills. Highly recommended. We got some of the best photos from our trip on this tour.”
Travel from Taormina or Giardini Naxos to Mount Etna with a guide such as Salvatore, Alessandro, or Giuseppe. Walk extinct craters, enter a lava cave with a helmet and headlamp, then taste honey, olive oil, wine, and other Etna products. The small group is limited to eight people.
“our driver and guide, Florence, was teriffic. Her driving skills were very good. Navigating the winding road, through villages was easy for her. Her knowledge of the arra and of Etna was very comprehensive and she guided our group of 5 with ease.”
Join a small-group morning trip from Taormina to Mount Etna, where a volcanology-trained guide leads you around extinct craters at about 2,000 meters. Walk lava paths, enter a lava cave, then enjoy sandwiches, wine, dessert, and almond wine at a local winery. Boots, jackets, and walking sticks are included.
“Our family had an incredible day trekking the Mt. Etna craters and visiting the lava caves with our guide, Roberto C. His knowledge of the area was impressive, and he shared fascinating insights about the volcano's history and geology. The lunch provided at a local winery was an added bonus. The scenery was breathtaking, and Roberto ensured we took the time to appreciate the stunning views along the way. I highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for an unforgettable adventure on Mt. Etna!”
Meet at Rifugio Sapienza at 8 a.m. for a guided ascent toward Etna’s summit craters. Guides such as Antonio, Max, Fabio, and Massimo explain the volcano’s eruptions, gas, lava, and unusual colors. Cable car and 4x4 tickets cost extra. The route is strenuous, weather-dependent, and may change for safety.
“beautiful environment with a competend guid. A good fitness level is required but other wise a simple walk”
Ride Etna’s cable car to 2,500 meters, then hike through summit craters and recent eruption sites with an English or Italian-speaking alpinist guide. Pietro and Vincenzo are among the guides associated with this experience. Expect steep, loose volcanic ground, cold wind, big coastal views, and a brioche-and-water break.
“Vicenzo was great!! He is a real professional, very knowledgeable about volcanoes and is very patient which makes him a great tourist guide.”
Meet your English-speaking guide in Piazza San Vincenzo about two hours before sunset for a guided climb to 400 meters. Ashàra provides hiking shoes, poles, a helmet, and headlamp. Expect a moderate uphill walk, sunset views, a one-hour volcanic lookout, and a dark descent. Guides such as Pepe, Giuseppe, and Fabio are praised for geology and volcano knowledge.
“A unique experience and a Guisepe was a great guide provided us with great information about the volcano and the island history”
Travel from Catania to 2,000 meters on Mount Etna with a multilingual guide. Walk among ancient craters and lava flows, visit the Grotta dei Tre Livelli lava cave, and stop in Zafferana Etnea for local products. The route is fairly gentle, though it is better suited to confident walkers than anyone with serious mobility limits.
“Very interesting tour, knowledgeable and friendly guide. thank you!”
Pick a ruin, a gallery, a cellar or a boat.
