Everyone knows about Italy’s natural wonders such as the Scala dei Turchi, Sicily.
However, you will only truly get to experience their wonder once you starting actually exploring them yourselves. Hence, here are four trekking trails that will sure mesmerize you!
1) Monte Capanne, Elba:
Towering at a staggering height of 1019 meters, the dome of Monte Capanne is the highest point on the Island of Elba and the Tuscan archipelago.
You should pray for a clear day when you hike Monte Capanne, not only for your safety but also because the view at its peak is unique. You will be able to see the far-off islands of the archipelago such as Pianosa, Caparaia, Gorgona, and Corsica.
An alternate to hiking up the mountain would be the ride the “cabinova” or cable car to the top of Monte Capanne. Be warned that this is not for the faint-hearted! If you are looking to reveal in the view, then the cable car is for you.
However, if you want to experience the satisfaction of exploring the different microcosms of nature, such as the wildlife and the wide variety of over 200 different types of mushrooms, I would recommend that you try conquering Monte Capanne on your own.
The trail to the top is about 12.9 kilometers and should take about six to seven hours in total.
2) Sentiero degli Dei, Amalfi Coast:
Sentiero degli Dei, which literally means “Path of the Gods”, connects Nocelle to the tiny hilltop town of Agerola. The pathway evokes so many emotions, purely based on its beauty, that many artists and writers, like Italo Calvino and David Herbert Lawrence, wrote about it. Therefore, you can definitely look forward to experiencing the amazement that they felt.
It is recommended that you walk from Agerola to Nocelle, and not vice-versa, as the route runs gently downhill from this direction. You will get to enjoy magnificent views of the Amalfi Coast and the island of Capri.
However, this trail is not just a mesmerizing visual experience. During your hike, you will be surrounded by scents and perfume that will tingle your nose with delight. The fresh crisp air, coupled with the sweet scent of lemon orchards, scrubs of rosemary, and holm oaks, is sure to relieve you of all your stress.
The trail is about 8 kilometers and should take about four to five hours in total.
3) Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Dolomites:
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo is one of the Dolomites’ iconic hikes. Tre Cime di Lavaredo, whig means “Three Peaks”, consists of three massive rock structures - Cima Piccola, Cima Grande, and Cima Ovest - and are the symbols of the whole Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The hiking trail loops around these three colossal pinnacles and it begins at Rifugio Auronzo. You can choose to travel in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise route around the three peaks. However, I recommend hiking in a counter-clockwise direction as it keeps the three peaks in your sight for most of the journey.
The entire trail is about 10 kilometers, however, as it is mostly flat, it should take around three to four hours.
The relative ease of this hike makes it great for kids to tag along, hence, if you are in Italy for a family vacation, and you are looking for a fun and cheap way to bond, there is a great activity to consider.
4) Stromboli Volcano, Aeolian Islands, Sicily:
This is your chance to hike one of the most active volcanoes on the planet! It has been erupting almost continuously since 1932.
Stromboli Volcano is 926 meters above sea level. There are three active craters at its peak. However, do not worry, the most recent major eruption occurred in April 2009.
Hiking the Stromboli Volcano is an experience that will trigger all your sense as you will be able to see, hear, and literally feel the lava explosions. Even if there aren’t any explosions, the fact that it is an active volcano means that there will be consistent rumbling, and clouds of smoke will sometimes emerge from the craters.
The views on this trail are simply spectacular! As you make your way to the peak, you will catch glimpses of the Mediterranean Sea. It's intense blue shining against the darkness of the volcanic sand of the Stromboli beaches and the whiteness of the village is sure to paint an amazing picture.
The hike is around eight kilometers and will take around five to six hours. It is recommended that you start climbing around sunset so that you will be able to witness the crater’s fireworks at the summit as the day turns to dusk. You can then hike back down to town by flashlight in the darkness.
Watch out for more fun upcoming posts.
