The easiest hikes in Italy, by the numbers
Of the 571 trails in Italy in our dataset, 20 (4 percent) rate easiest on the gain-and-distance scale we use, run 1 to 6 miles and climb 500 ft or less; all 20 are listed here, lowest rating first.
Via Francigena has the lowest rating: 0 ft of gain over 4.7 miles, essentially flat.
Across the 20, gain runs from 0 to 471 ft and distance from 1.1 miles to 4.7 miles; the median gain is 252 ft and the median distance 2 miles.
14 of the 20 are point-to-point routes; the rest are loop (6).
| # | Trail | Miles | Gain (ft) | Ft per mile | Max grade | Elevation (ft) | Rating | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Via Francigena | 4.7 | 0 | 0 | 3% | 229 to 269 | 0 | |
| 2 | Via Francigena | 1.6 | 55 | 34 | 7% | 509 to 591 | 13.3 | |
| 3 | Rilke | 1.2 | 131 | 109 | 10% | 102 to 233 | 17.7 | |
| 4 | Promenade Gimillan 270° | 1.1 | 203 | 185 | 12% | 5,816 to 6,019 | 21.1 | |
| 5 | Via Francigena | 2.3 | 105 | 46 | 8% | 72 to 217 | 22 | |
| 6 | Sentiero del Lago Morto | 2.6 | 115 | 44 | 9% | 892 to 1,003 | 24.5 | |
| 7 | Val di Fiemme e FassaTrentino-Alto Adige | 2 | 213 | 107 | 8% | 3,109 to 3,297 | 29.2 | |
| 8 | Via Francigena | 2.5 | 190 | 76 | 10% | 810 to 1,000 | 30.8 | |
| 9 | Via Francigena | 4.6 | 107 | 23 | 7% | 802 to 943 | 31.4 | |
| 10 | Trail N. 586Cinque Terre NP | 1.6 | 324 | 203 | 41% | 978 to 1,318 | 32.2 | |
| 11 | Via Francigena | 2.2 | 243 | 110 | 7% | 479 to 722 | 32.7 | |
| 12 | Via Francigena | 2 | 272 | 136 | 12% | 1,254 to 1,526 | 33 | |
| 13 | Cinque Torri LoopVeneto | 1.2 | 471 | 393 | 31% | 7,002 to 7,416 | 33.6 | |
| 14 | sentiero alto Bruncu SpinaGulf of Orosei and Gennargentu NP | 1.4 | 462 | 330 | 30% | 5,432 to 5,936 | 36 | |
| 15 | VASP Monte Nudo Nord | 1.6 | 437 | 273 | 45% | 3,064 to 3,414 | 37.4 | |
| 16 | Anello del Lago di Val di Noci | 2.1 | 337 | 160 | 21% | 1,697 to 1,870 | 37.6 | |
| 17 | Sentiero del Monte Lozzo | 1.8 | 406 | 226 | 22% | 388 to 709 | 38.2 | |
| 18 | Sentiero del Monte Venda | 2 | 410 | 205 | 19% | 790 to 1,232 | 40.5 | |
| 19 | Via Francigena | 3.5 | 261 | 75 | 11% | 170 to 431 | 42.7 | |
| 20 | Periplo del Lago di Nemi | 3.5 | 325 | 93 | 21% | 1,026 to 1,332 | 47.7 |
How this list is ranked
Rating = the square root of 2 x elevation gain (ft) x distance (miles), the gain-and-distance formula Shenandoah National Park publishes for its own trails. Bands: under 50 easiest, 50 to 100 moderate, 100 to 150 moderately strenuous, 150 to 200 strenuous, 200 and over very strenuous.
This list: band easiest (under 50), 1 to 6 miles, no more than 500 ft of gain, ordered by rating asc, miles asc, capped at 25. The rating column is computed from the miles and gain printed in the same row, the numbers each trail page uses, so every row can be checked from the row itself. The rating says nothing about exposure, scrambling, altitude or conditions.
Only trails with a full page count, so "Italy" here means the 571 trails in Italy in our dataset, not every trail in Italy.
Each trail page shows the full elevation profile behind these numbers and the same data drawn as a topographic print, made to order. Start with Via Francigena.
Easiest hikes elsewhere.
The same ranking for other countries in our dataset.