Best places to run in Italy

Europe's largest high-altitude alpine meadow, laced with gentle well-marked trails framed by the Sassolungo and Sciliar peaks.

A pristine cove with a limestone pinnacle, reached only by a scenic downhill trail through fragrant maquis.

One of Europe's tallest waterfalls at 165 m, with forest trails climbing alongside the thundering cascades.

Natural warm thermal terraces and falls in the countryside, with short easy walks between the pools.

A vast upland plain famous for summer wildflower blooms, with gentle trails ringed by the Sibillini peaks.

The Sentiero Azzurro coastal trail links five cliffside fishing villages with vineyard terraces and sea views.

The highest peak of the Apennines in Gran Sasso park, a strenuous rocky climb from the Campo Imperatore plateau.

Europe's most active volcano, with lunar trails across lava fields and craters from the Rifugio Sapienza base.

Sardinia's deepest gorge, walled by 500 m limestone cliffs, reached by a long rugged descent and steep return.

A narrow basalt gorge carved by lava and river, walkable along the cool gravel riverbed in summer.

Italy's oldest national park around a 4000 m peak, with glacier valleys, ibex and the scenic Valnontey trails.

An easy lakeside route along old stone lanes linking villages, chapels and villas on Lake Como's western shore.

An emerald glacial lake ringed by an easy flat shoreline path beneath sheer Dolomite walls.

A small jewel-like lake mirroring the Latemar peaks, circled by an easy forest shoreline walk.

A tranquil alpine lake reflecting the Sorapis peaks, ringed by an easy flat lakeside loop.

A milky turquoise alpine lake reached by a rocky exposed trail with ladders and ledges, popular but demanding.

The highest peak of the Dolomites, the 'Queen', with high glacier views and tough approach paths.

A long alpine ridge rising straight from Lake Garda with panoramic trails and a cable car from Malcesine.

A rounded pink-stone mountain above Assisi with open grassy ridges and gentle pilgrimage paths.

The summit above the Sibillini massif and the blue Lago di Pilato, a long exposed ridge climb for fit hikers.

A grassy summit offering 360-degree views over Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta and the Alps, reachable on foot or by cable car.

A vast high rocky Dolomite plateau like a moonscape, reached by demanding trails and a cable car.

Turin's riverside park along the Po with flat shaded paths, a popular city running spot.

The 'forest of violins' of ancient spruce beneath the Pale di San Martino, with easy woodland and lake trails.

A rugged mountain park of forests, gorges and waterfalls dropping toward both seas, with wild trails.

Milan's central park behind the Sforza Castle with looping lawns and paths favoured by city runners.

A sunny high plateau above Bolzano with gentle panoramic walking trails and the Dolomites on the horizon.

A protected coastal reserve with a path along turquoise coves and hidden pebble beaches below limestone hills.

A dramatic medieval abbey perched on a rocky spur, reached by an ancient stepped pilgrimage path.

A towering Dolomite massif with circular trails and the dramatic Sassolungo saddle for strong hikers.

A jagged tilted grass-and-rock ridgeline above Ortisei offering one of the Dolomites' most photographed panoramas.

Italy's wildest multi-day coastal trek along the Orosei cliffs, demanding scrambling and route-finding.

A panoramic lakeside path with iron stairways and suspended walkways clinging to the cliffs above Lake Garda.

The 'Path of the Gods' is a clifftop traverse high above the Amalfi Coast with sweeping views to Capri and Positano.

An ancient mule path traversing the eastern hillsides of Lake Como with continuous views over the water.

A high forested plateau of pine woods and lakes offering gentle scenic trails and crisp mountain air.

An ever-erupting island volcano whose guided ascent watches glowing explosions from near the summit.

A dramatic Dolomite group above Cortina with high trails, WWI tunnels and the famous Cinque Torri towers nearby.

Three iconic vertical limestone monoliths circled by a classic loop trail past alpine huts and dramatic north faces.

Rome's grand green heart with tree-lined avenues, gardens and gravel paths above the historic centre.