Il Italy Trail it is a very particular hiking route whose route winds through all twenty Italian regions, including the major islands. With his over 7600 kilometersthe Sentiero Italia is one of the longest walks in the world and offers a unique opportunity to explore the natural and cultural beauty of our country.
Origins and history of the Sentiero Italia
The Sentiero Italia was born in 1983, thanks to a project by some journalists and writers who had the aim of creating a single route that connected the main Italian hiking routes. However, it was only in the nineties that the project really took shape thanks to the intervention of the photographer and passionate walker Richard Carnovalini, who presented the initiative to the Italian Alpine Club (CAI).
The creation of the path
In 1990, the CAI began working on the project, connecting existing routes such as the Great Alpine Crossing in Piedmont, theLigurian Mountains High Route in Liguria and the Great Apennine Excursion in Tuscany. The project expanded to cover the entire Alpine range and the Apennines, crossing all the Italian regions. The first great expedition, WalkItalytook place in 1995 and lasted eight months, starting from Sardinia and going up to Trieste.
The decline and rebirth of the path
Despite the initial success, the Sentiero Italia soon fell into disuse due to high maintenance costs and the low popularity of trekking in the nineties. However, in recent years, thanks to a project by retraining of the CAI and the initiative of a group of young hikers called Go Paththe route has been recovered and made accessible again.
The Va’ Sentiero expedition
In 2019, a group of young people under thirty embarked on a journey along the Sentiero Italia, which lasted over two years. This expedition, called Go Path, traveled over 7000 kilometres, documenting the journey and gathering information to create a detailed digital guide. The expedition attracted public attention and helped revive interest in the route.
Structure and stages of the Sentiero Italia
The Sentiero Italia is divided into 519 stages, each managed by the local sections of the CAI. The route crosses several mountain ranges and passes through 16 national parks. The stages are organized by region and cover a wide variety of terrain, from the Alpine mountains of the North to the hills and valleys of the Apennines, to the coasts and island environments of the South and islands. Among the most beautiful stages there are:
- Calvi Refuge – Lambertenghi Refuge (Friuli Venezia Giulia): This stage crosses the Carnic Alps, offers breathtaking views and numerous refuges where hikers can rest and admire the beauty of the mountains.
- Lagazuoi Refuge – Lagazuoi Refuge (Veneto): a stop in the heart of the Dolomites, famous for its spectacular landscapes and the presence of historical routes from the First World War.
- Monte Rosa – Lys Valley (Piedmont): aIt crosses some of the highest mountains in the Western Alps, with incredible views of glaciers and majestic peaks such as Monte Rosa and Gran Paradiso.
- Cisa Pass – Pontremoli (Tuscany): one of the most evocative stages of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, rich in history and culture, with ancient villages and castles along the route.
- Terminillo – Rieti (Lazio): This stage offers panoramic views of the Rieti Valley and Mount Terminillo, with numerous opportunities to observe the local fauna and flora.
- Avellino – Monteforte Irpino (Campania): a route that crosses the hills of Irpinia, known for its green and lush landscapes, as well as numerous vineyards and olive groves.
- Messina – Dinnammare (Sicily): offers a spectacular view of the Strait of Messina, with panoramas that range from the Calabrian coast to Etna.
The digital trail guide
Thanks to the Va’ Sentiero expedition, a digital guide is now available that describes in detail each stage of the route. The guide includes downloadable maps, altimetry, GPX tracks and information on difficulty, accessibility and points of interest. This tool is essential for anyone wishing to undertake the journey along the Sentiero Italia.
The Sentiero Italia represents a unique opportunity to explore the different landscape and cultural realities of Italy. This route, which crosses all Italian regions, offers an unforgettable hiking experience, allowing you to discover the natural beauty and local traditions along the way.
