The warm season is just around the corner. Sea or mountains? Families risk arguing over the destination for the weekend getaway. And yet Italy offers enchanting places, especially where water and land — even at respectable altitude — meet. Here's the solution to please sea lovers and mountain lovers alike: trekking high above the sea, along some of the most striking coastlines of the Bel Paese. And how better to end the day than with a dip in the water? Nothing beats it — especially since organising a coastal trekking trip is genuinely simple: just pack a swimsuit, light and comfortable trekking clothing and, above all, a good pair of summer trekking shoes.
The most beautiful seaside treks in LIGURIA
When talking about coastal walks, leaving out Liguria would be a mortal sin. The first unmissable route for anyone who loves walking with a breathtaking view over the blue expanse of the Tyrrhenian Sea is the "Sentiero Infinito" in the Cinque Terre. From Portovenere to Riomaggiore, it's an itinerary of about 14 kilometres starting from Piazza Bastreri (Portovenere). Walking time varies from 3 to 4 hours depending on pace, and the views are unforgettable — starting with the islets of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto, before climbing the long stairway that skirts the Doria Castle. The first real stop is Campiglia; you then continue towards Riomaggiore via Colle Telegrafo, the highest point of the trail, before taking the descent that leads down to the village through the Cinque Terre National Park, wrapped in unmissable scents, colours and panoramas. The last picturesque stop before reaching Riomaggiore is the Sanctuary of Nostra Madonna di Montenero, 340 m above sea level.
Staying in Liguria, another fascinating itinerary — though certainly not accessible to everyone — is the Sentiero dei Tubi. Located within the Portofino Regional Natural Park, this route winds along the old aqueduct line, passing close to German bunkers from the Second World War, all the way to Camogli. The hike, permitted only with a Park guide, takes four and a half hours: there are dark tunnels, sheer drops and a stretch to be covered clinging to chains.
Italian coastal trails on volcanoes: SICILY
Speaking of striking hikes for a trekking-and-sea holiday, we land in Italy's southernmost region: Sicily. A land that offers a unique spectacle, with no fewer than three volcanoes rising from its surface: Etna, Stromboli and Vulcano. The first, at 3,343 metres, is a serious summit. These are coastal treks that become genuine life experiences: you can climb the volcanoes and feel them breathe, or savour the dawn from their peaks with incredible panoramas. In short, Sicily — a land of the sea — is actually a perfect destination for mountain lovers too! Note that on Etna in particular, the summit area can only be approached in the company of local guides, experts in the volcano's activity.
CAMPANIA: seaside trekking on the Amalfi Coast
Staying in the South, no discussion of coastal trekking could leave out the Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) — a famous hike that starts from the church of San Matteo in Bomerano, a hamlet of Agerola, passes through Nocelle, and then descends 1,500 steps to Positano. An 8-kilometre trail requiring about 3 hours of walking, but of low difficulty. A tip? Beyond the views over the bay, sharpen your sense of smell too, to savour all the Mediterranean flavours: holm oaks, strawberry trees, heather and rosemary.
Sea-view trekking on the Conero: the magic of the MARCHE
One of the most striking spots on the Adriatic riviera is without doubt the coast of the Marche. The Due Sorelle beach at Sirolo is perhaps one of the most celebrated, but certainly not the only one. From here starts one of the many trekking routes leading to the summit of Monte Conero. Among them, the Portonovo Ring: trail 309, which explores the best of the mountain. Accessible to everyone, it can be walked in about an hour. For those who prefer more demanding, steeper sea-view treks, there are plenty of other trails to choose from.
Seaside trekking in SARDINIA: where crystal-clear water and archaeology meet
Speaking of the Italian sea, we couldn't fail to end in Sardinia. A unique land, an island hiding secrets and infinite possibilities — among them, splendid sea-view trekking routes. We're on the south-west coast in particular, between Nebida and Masua, where panoramic and geological beauty coexists with man's great mining works: some of the hikes in this area follow the very paths the old miners took to reach the worksites. The Trail of the Five Sea Stacks (Sentiero dei Cinque Faraglioni) is one of the most striking: about 10 kilometres, mostly flat, starting from Funtanamare and ending at Masua, with the Pan di Zucchero in the background — a 133-metre sea stack, the tallest in Europe. Other unmissable trails include the "Miniere nel Blu" and the "Sentiero della Calamina".