Mountains and trails in Italy
A guide to 52 Mountains and trails in Italy — with descriptions, photos and traveler visits from the NextOnTrip community. Locations spread across 49 cities and towns. Most visited by the community: Testa del Mater, Kleiner Laugen, poggio di Petto.
-
Monte Morello
Paterno
Monte Morello is the highest peak in the Florentine valley, rising to 934 metres above sea level. The mountain sits to the north-west of Florence and stretches across four municipalities: Florence, Vaglia, Sesto Fiorentino, and Calenzano. For locals, it serves as the city's main outdoor escape — close enough for a half-day trip, yet offering genuine woodland and wide-open views. How do you get to Monte Morello? From central Florence, the drive takes roughly 25–30 minutes heading north-west. Public transport connects the city to the towns at the base of the mountain, including Sesto Fiorentino, from where marked hiking trails begin. Cyclists from the greater Florence area regularly make the climb using forest roads and purpose-built mountain bike tracks that wind across the slopes. What will you find on the trail and at the summit? Pine and oak forests cover much of Monte Morello's flanks, providing shade on summer walks and a completely different atmosphere from the crowded city below. As you gain altitude, views gradually open across the Arno valley, the rooftops of Florence, and the unmistakable dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. From the top, on a clear day, the panorama extends across the Tuscan hills to the Apennine ridge on the horizon. Paths connect several ridges and passes, linking villages across different municipalities. Difficulty ranges from easy woodland strolls to more demanding ascents with significant elevation gain — the full ridge walk is best suited to hikers with reasonable fitness. When is the best time to visit? Spring (April–May) and early autumn (September–October) offer the most comfortable conditions, with moderate temperatures and long daylight hours ideal for hiking. In summer, the mountain draws visitors escaping Florence's heat, since temperatures at nearly 1,000 metres are noticeably cooler than in the city centre. In winter, snow occasionally covers the upper slopes, creating a stark and quiet landscape that's well worth the trip. Who is Monte Morello for? The massif works well as a day trip from Florence — no overnight stay needed, no complicated logistics. Hikers and mountain bikers both find routes suited to their level. Families with younger children can enjoy the gentler lower paths, while experienced walkers have access to longer, more challenging routes that take in the full height of the mountain. Frequently asked questions Is the climb to Monte Morello technically difficult? No specialist equipment is required. The main challenge is the elevation gain from the base to the 934-metre summit. Sturdy walking shoes and a reasonable level of fitness are enough for the standard routes. Can you drive to the top? Forest roads give vehicle access to some areas of the mountain, but reaching the actual summit requires walking. It's worth checking current access rules for motorised vehicles in the forest zone before setting out. How long does a visit take? The ascent typically takes between two and four hours depending on the starting point and your pace. Allow five to seven hours for a full round trip with time to take in the views at the top. Are the trails well marked? The massif has a network of signed hiking trails and mountain bike routes. Trail maps are available at local tourist information points and through digital mapping apps.
-
Dosso di Miola
Baselga di Piné
Dosso di Miola is a wooded hill on the Piné Plateau (Altopiano di Piné) in Trentino, standing at 1,073 metres above sea level above the village of Miola di Piné in the municipality of Baselga di Pinè. How to Get There The walk begins at the road junction near Serraia lake at 970 m elevation. From here, Via del Doss de la Creda climbs alongside a large oval car park. Around 380 metres past a small wayside chapel called the Capitel, the trail forks right into the forest and leads directly to the summit. The path is signposted as trail No. 17, "Doss di Miola." The ascent takes roughly 30 minutes on foot. The return descends via Via del Pistor back toward the centre of Miola. What to See at the Top The summit holds a municipal water reservoir. The clearing around it opens up views over the Piné Plateau lakes — Lago di Serraia and Lago delle Piazze — with the Lagorai mountain chain stretching across the horizon. Mixed woodland covers the hillside, and the trail is well maintained throughout. The spot is quiet and away from the busier routes in the area. When to Visit Dosso di Miola can be walked throughout most of the year. Spring and summer are ideal for families looking for a short outing in forest shade. Autumn brings leaf colour and cooler air. In winter, snow may cover the path, but it remains passable with appropriate footwear. The tree canopy makes the trail comfortable even on hot summer days. Nearby Attractions and Longer Routes Miola di Piné serves as a base for more demanding objectives. From the same village, a popular route leads up to Dosso di Costalta (2,204 m), one of the main access points into the Lagorai chain. The lake circuit around Lago di Serraia — a protected peat-bog biotope and the only natural lake of its kind in Trentino — is another worthwhile excursion easily reached from Miola or nearby Baselga di Pinè. Frequently Asked Questions Is the trail to Dosso di Miola difficult? No. It is a short, easy walk with around 100 metres of elevation gain. Suitable for families with young children and those without prior trekking experience. Where can I park? A large oval car park is located at the Serraia junction, the standard starting point for the trail. Can dogs come along? Yes. The trail is unfenced and open to walkers with dogs throughout the year. What is the difference between Dosso di Miola and Dosso di Costalta? They are two separate peaks. Dosso di Miola (1,073 m) is a small wooded hill above the village, reachable in 30 minutes on an easy path. Dosso di Costalta (2,204 m) is an alpine summit in the Lagorai chain that requires a longer, more demanding mountain route from the same village.
-
Mont Blanc
Saint-Gervais-les-Bains
Mont Blanc is the highest peak in the Alps, reaching 4,807 m above sea level on the border between France and Italy. The massif sits in the Graian Alps and the summit belongs to the Crown of Europe — the set of highest points on each continent. How to Get There The main gateway on the French side is Chamonix, about 80 km from Geneva, reachable by train or car. From Chamonix, the Aiguille du Midi cable car climbs to above 3,800 m, giving dramatic close-up views of the massif without any mountaineering required. On the Italian side, Courmayeur is the starting point. The SkyWay Monte Bianco gondola carries visitors up to Punta Helbronner at 3,466 m, where glaciers and high ridgelines fill the horizon. What Will You See? From the Aiguille du Midi station, sweeping glaciers and steep walls dominate the view. On a clear day the panorama extends to Switzerland and the Italian valleys below. Encircling the massif is the Tour du Mont Blanc, a well-known long-distance trekking route roughly 170 km long that crosses France, Italy, and Switzerland. Reaching the actual summit at 4,807 m demands glacier travel skills, proper mountaineering gear, and high-altitude fitness. The standard route departs from the Goûter Hut (3,835 m), but snow and weather conditions frequently determine whether an attempt is feasible on any given day. When to Visit? The climbing season runs from June through September, with July and August drawing the most visitors. Tourists using the cable cars can come year-round — in winter, Chamonix is one of Europe's leading ski destinations. Spring and autumn offer quieter conditions and often excellent visibility. At altitude, temperatures remain harsh throughout the year. Even in summer, strong winds and sub-zero cold are common above 4,000 m. Always check a reliable mountain weather forecast before setting out. Frequently Asked Questions Is Mont Blanc in France or Italy? The summit sits exactly on the border. The larger share of the massif and the main tourist hub — Chamonix — are on the French side. What is the exact elevation of Mont Blanc? The accepted figure is 4,807 m above sea level. Periodic geodetic surveys yield slightly varying readings (4,805–4,808 m) because the snow cap on the summit changes thickness with the seasons. Can beginners climb Mont Blanc? Without glacier travel skills and a qualified guide, an attempt is seriously risky. For recreational visitors, the cable cars provide a spectacular experience with no climbing required. How long does it take to reach the summit? The ascent from the Goûter Hut typically takes 5–7 hours one way. A full expedition, including acclimatization time, usually spans 2–3 days.
-
Monte Linas
Gonnos/Gonnosfanadiga
Monte Linas is a granite massif in the province of Sud Sardegna, in south-western Sardinia, Italy. It stands out as one of the wildest highland areas on the island, defined by rugged rock formations and a centuries-long history of mineral extraction. What Will You See at Monte Linas? The massif is built predominantly of granite, which lends it a stark, untamed character. Its high point is Perda de sa Mesa — the tallest peak in all of southern Sardinia. Other prominent summits within the massif include Monte Lisone, Punta di San Miali, and Punta Magusu. From these ridges, the views sweep across the Campidano plain and stretch toward distant sections of the Sardinian coast. The area holds significant mineral wealth. Zinc and lead deposits have been extracted here since antiquity, and the evidence of that long history is still written into the landscape: remnants of mine shafts and spoil heaps have become part of the terrain, adding an industrial-archaeological dimension to any hike through the massif. Vegetation across Monte Linas is dominated by dense Mediterranean macchia, enriched with endemic Sardinian plant species. Wildlife watchers have good reason to keep their eyes open: the Sardinian deer — a subspecies of red deer found nowhere else in the world — roams the massif, and Bonelli's eagles nest in the rocky upper sections. How to Get There The massif lies close to the towns of Gonnosfanadiga and Villacidro, roughly 50 km north-west of Cagliari. Travelling by car is the most practical option, as public transport connections in this part of Sardinia are limited. From Cagliari, take the SS196 toward Villacidro. Hiking trails leading up to the peaks depart from the surrounding villages. The terrain is physically demanding: sturdy trekking boots and a topographic map or GPS-enabled app are essential before setting out. When to Visit Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) provide the best conditions for hiking. Summer temperatures in the lower sections regularly exceed 35°C; the summits are cooler but exposed to strong sun. In winter the upper parts of the massif can be icy, and rainfall is frequent. Frequently Asked Questions Is there an entrance fee for Monte Linas? No, access to the massif is free of charge. Parts of the area fall within protected zones, but no entrance ticket is required. How high is Perda de sa Mesa? Perda de sa Mesa reaches approximately 1,236 m above sea level, making it the highest point in southern Sardinia. Is there accommodation on the massif? There are no mountain huts on the summit. The nearest places to stay are in the towns of Gonnosfanadiga and Villacidro at the foot of the massif, where accommodation at various price points is available. Are the hiking trails marked? Some trails carry waymarks, but the quality of signage varies. Bringing a local map or a hiking app with offline maps is strongly recommended before heading out.
Earn badges for the places you visit
Download NextOnTrip, discover new places and check off your trails.