Multi-day walks and pilgrim routes in Italy: Via degli Dei, Path of the Gods, Alta Via 1, Via Francigena

Short answer

For a first long walk, the Via degli Dei runs 130 km from Bologna to Florence in 5–7 days. The Path of the Gods on the Amalfi Coast is a one-day, about 8 km walk from Bomerano to Nocelle. Alta Via 1 crosses the Dolomites (125 km, 12 legs, rifugi booked ahead) and Selvaggio Blu in Sardinia is a guided expedition for experienced hikers, best in May or October. The Via Francigena reaches Rome in stages of about 22–23 km; the best months are May–June and September–October.

Checked 2026-09-24 · Italy · Itineraries

	At a glance
Via degli Dei	130 km · 5–7 days · Bologna → Florence
Path of the Gods	~8 km · 1 day · Bomerano → Nocelle
Alta Via 1	125 km · 12 legs · summer
Selvaggio Blu	5–7 days · guide · €30 accreditation
Via Francigena	Stages 22–23 km avg · May–Jun, Sep–Oct

The walks

Route

Via degli Dei: Bologna–Florence

Verified 2026-09-24

130 km from Piazza Maggiore to Piazza della Signoria, usually 5–7 days. The first stretch to Badolo is 29.1 km, +1,264/−784 m (about 9 h) — shorter variants exist. Official credential; stay in Monzuno, Madonna dei Fornelli, Futa, San Piero a Sieve, Fiesole.

Via degli Dei · official ↗ · Via degli Dei · stages ↗ · Via degli Dei · first stretch ↗

Route

Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei)

Verified 2026-09-24

About 8 km from Bomerano (Agerola) to Nocelle, then down to Positano. SITA bus from Amalfi to the start. Cliff-top path with stairs — not step-free; start early in summer.

Amalfi Coast UNESCO · Path of the Gods ↗

Route

Alta Via 1 (Dolomites)

Verified 2026-09-24

Lago di Braies to Belluno: 125 km in 12 legs, hut to hut past Fanes, Lagazuoi, Cinque Torri, Pelmo and Civetta. Summer to early autumn; book rifugi ahead. Experienced hikers.

Visit Dolomites · Alta Via 1 ↗

Watch out

Selvaggio Blu (Sardinia) — safety-critical

Verified 2026-09-24

A 5–7 day coastal expedition with scrambling, rope descents and bivouacs, for experienced, fit hikers. Accreditation €30/person (guides extra); some bivouacs reserved for qualified guides. Best in May and October; summer is too hot.

Visit Baunei · Selvaggio Blu accreditation ↗ · Selvaggio Blu · logistics and season ↗

Route

Sentiero del Viandante (Lake Como)

Verified 2026-09-24

Abbadia Lariana to Colico along the east shore, split at railway stations (Lecco, Mandello, Lierna, Varenna, Bellano, Dervio, Colico). A local operator sells 5 nights with meals, baggage and transfers for €370/person.

Sentiero del Viandante · rail + trail ↗ · Sentiero del Viandante · package ↗

Good to know

Also worth planning

Partially verified · 2026-09-24

Sentiero Azzurro in the Cinque Terre (check park closures and card), Amalfi lemon paths (Amalfi–Ravello–Minori), Gran Paradiso huts. Volcano hikes on Stromboli and Vulcano depend on the alert level — check before every departure.

Pilgrim routes

Route

Via Francigena to Rome

Verified 2026-09-24

Average stage 22–23 km, maximum 32 km; best May–June and September–October. The Great St Bernard pass is usually open only early June–early September; the Cisa can have snow in late autumn and early spring. Credential and pilgrim lodging.

AEVF · preparing for the Via Francigena on foot ↗

Good to know

Francigena by train and bus

Verified 2026-09-24

The AEVF documents rail and bus shortcuts (e.g. Aosta–Ivrea, Viterbo–Rome) — good for 3–7 day trips and older walkers.

AEVF · on foot, by train and bus ↗

Good to know

Other cammini

Partially verified · 2026-09-24

Via di Francesco (La Verna–Assisi–Rome), Cammino di San Benedetto (Norcia–Montecassino), Cammino di Oropa (several branches, GPX and app), Magna Via Francigena in Sicily (Palermo–Agrigento).

Cammino di Oropa ↗

Research gapEditor No route-wide luggage service verified for Via degli Dei, Alta Via 1 or the Francigena — confirm per operator. Stage-level data for Via di Francesco and San Benedetto still open.

Quick answers

How long is the Via degli Dei?

130 km from Bologna to Florence; the official site suggests 5–7 days, and stages can be adapted.

Can I walk the Path of the Gods with children?

Only if they’re used to mountain paths, stairs and heat — it isn’t a stroller route.

Can I hike Selvaggio Blu without a guide?

Accreditation exists, but rope sections, exposure and water logistics mean it should be done with a qualified guide.

Is there luggage transfer on the Via degli Dei or Via Francigena?

On some routes and packages, yes — but don’t assume a route-wide service; confirm with the operator.

When can you cross the Great St Bernard on the Via Francigena?

Usually only from early June to early September.

Go deeper in our guides

Guide

Multi-day walks and pilgrim routes in Italy: Via degli Dei, Path of the Gods, Alta Via 1, Via Francigena

The walks

Via degli Dei: Bologna–Florence

Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei)

Alta Via 1 (Dolomites)

Selvaggio Blu (Sardinia) — safety-critical

Sentiero del Viandante (Lake Como)

Also worth planning

Pilgrim routes

Via Francigena to Rome

Francigena by train and bus

Other cammini

Quick answers

Go deeper in our guides

Bologna

Amalfi Coast

Dolomites

Lake Como

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