Florence Hiking & Trekking Guide 2026

Top trails

Routes worth lacing up your boots for.

1. 1

   Monte Senario from Bivigliano

   10 km round trip3-4 hoursModerate893m summit (starting from ~520m at Bivigliano)

   A pleasant half-day hike north of Florence through chestnut and beech forests to the Servite Monastery of Monte Senario, founded in 1234 on a rocky hilltop with panoramic views over the Mugello valley and northern Apennines. The trail begins from the village of Bivigliano and climbs steadily through mixed woodland to the medieval convent, where monks still live and produce a famous herbal liqueur (Gemma d'Abeto). The summit views on clear days extend from the Apennines south to Florence and the Arno valley.

2. 2

   Chianti Classic Route: Radda to Panzano

   14 km (one way, shuttle or taxi return)4-5 hoursModerateRolling hills, 400-600m altitude, approx 400m cumulative ascent

   One of Tuscany's finest walking routes, crossing the heart of the Chianti Classico wine zone between two of its most beautiful hilltop villages. The route follows ancient mule tracks, strade bianche (white gravel roads), and forest paths through a landscape of vineyards, olive groves, cypress avenues, and stone farmhouses that has barely changed since the Renaissance. In September-October the vine leaves turn red and gold during the vendemmia (harvest) season, creating extraordinary colour. The trail passes several wine estates where tasting breaks are possible.

3. 3

   Val d'Orcia: Cappella di Vitaleta to Pienza

   7 km one way2-3 hoursEasyRolling plateau, 380-490m altitude

   A gentle walk through the most photographed landscape in Tuscany — the UNESCO World Heritage Val d'Orcia. Beginning at the famous Cappella di Vitaleta (the tiny photogenic chapel on a cypress-lined ridge that appears on every Tuscany postcard), the route crosses rolling wheat fields and oak meadows to the Renaissance town of Pienza, the cheese capital of Tuscany. In spring (April-May) the fields are brilliant with poppies, wheat, and wildflowers. In autumn the landscape glows in harvest golds.

4. 4

   Garfagnana: Cascate dell'Orrido di Botri

   6 km round trip3-4 hoursModerate-Challenging600-900m, approximately 300m ascent

   One of Tuscany's most dramatic natural hikes, through the narrow gorge (orrido) of the Botri stream in the Garfagnana mountains north of Lucca. The path winds through a spectacular limestone gorge with towering vertical walls, rock bridges, crystalline pools, and a series of waterfalls deep in the Apennine forest. Access requires registration at the park entrance and is restricted to small groups to protect the fragile ecosystem. A thrilling natural experience entirely off the tourist circuit.

5. 5

   Fiesole to Florence Walk (Via Vecchia Fiesolana)

   7 km (downhill, Fiesole to Florence)2-2.5 hoursEasy295m at Fiesole, descends to Florence (50m)

   A lovely downhill walk from Etruscan-Roman Fiesole through the hillside villas, olive groves, and walled gardens that inspired generations of Florentine artists and poets from Boccaccio to E.M. Forster. The Via Vecchia Fiesolana (old road to Fiesole) descends through cypress avenues and garden walls hung with wisteria and roses to San Domenico and then to the Florence streets below. The views of Florence from the Fiesole hillside are among the finest perspectives on the city.

Trail difficulty levels

Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.

When to hike

Seasonal conditions in Florence.

Overview

Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) are the finest hiking seasons for comfortable temperatures, wildflowers, harvest colours, and manageable numbers of other walkers.

Items

Local hazards

What to watch out for on the trail.