The best way to get to know an area is to walk it. On foot, we discover the landscape. The slow pace allows us to savour every corner and discover all the little details that often elude us. Hiking brings us in direct contact with nature and with incredible landscapes. It presents us with a point of view that’s different and far removed from that of mass tourism.
Tuscany is the perfect place for hiking with its succession of different and unique landscapes from the peaks of the Apennine mountains to the Maremma countryside. With every step, the hiker finds something spectacular that he didn't expect. A network of hiking trails runs throughout the region with itineraries for all experience levels and all tastes. From a Sunday stroll with the whole family through nature parks to more challenging routes for mountaineers to scenic walks, the choice is yours.
Uncontaminated nature, routes of varying difficulty and the possibility of combining culture with sport, this is the Garfagnana. You’ll find yourself crossing through small medieval villages where ancient traditions can still be lived and experienced and exploring the white mountains of the Apuan Alps, famous worldwide for its marble. Indeed, the slopes shine like the faces of a diamond in the sun, offering a one-of-a-kind sight.
The joy of walking is not just to be had on high peaks, but is equally as enjoyable on city streets. Siena, characterised by its steep slopes, is ideal for urban hiking, and combines physical activity with artistic heritage. In the past, it was also a way to prove one's faith. In fact, following the via Francigena remains today a fascinating journey full of testimonies from the past.
Around 170km of trails await you on the hills surrounding Florence. Along the so-called Renaissance Ring, monasteries, castles and Romanesque parish churches intersect, all of them facing the historic centre of the Tuscan capital, whose fulcrum is the dome of the cathedral, the symbol of the Renaissance city.
If you prefer a walk along the seaside, head to the Etruscan Coast, where the sky, earth and sea intersect. There are plenty of walking trails, which you can also follow on mountain bike or horseback.