The most beautiful snowshoeing in Italy: our recommendations

Snowshoe hike from Passo Rolle to Baita Segantini (Trentino-South Tyrol)

Of all the snowshoe hikes that can be done in Trentino-Alto Adige, the one that leads to the Segantini Hut is one of the most stunning, as well as perhaps the best known. Starting from Passo Rolle, it is possible to ascend along the ski slopes to reach the Capanna Cervino hut. From here the trail continues well marked with yellow and black stakes until you reach Baita Segantini, an extraordinary viewpoint overlooking the Pale di San Martino.

• Start: Passo Rolle 
• Finish: Baita Segantini 
• Elevation gain: 200 m 
• Length: 2,5 km 
• Difficulty level: easy

 Snowshoeing from Malga Rolle to the Lakes of Colbricon (Trentino-South Tyrol)

Among the snowshoeing excursions that can be done on the Lagorai there is another very beautiful one starting from Malga Rolle: the path leading to the Colbricon Lakes. This itinerary is almost entirely within a dense forest, creating a wintery fairy-tale atmosphere. The hike is very easy, and the path is well marked and is well-trod by other snowshoers. The snowshoe hike ends in a wide basin where you can admire the two lakes of Colbricon, which are almost always frozen in winter. Passing the lakes and climbing a little higher towards the Colbricon Pass, you can enjoy a 360° panorama of the peaks of the Paneveggio Pale di San Martino Nature Park.

• Start: Malga Rolle
• Finish: Colbricon Lakes Hut 
• Elevation gain: 100 m 
• Lenght: 2 km
• Difficulty level: easy

Ring tour to Rifugio Zacchi (Friuli-Venezia Giulia)

If you are looking for snowshoe hikes in the Tarvisio area, then you can't miss the ring tour from Fusine Lakes to Rifugio Zacchi. Starting from the upper lake of Fusine you climb along CAI path 512 to the hut, located in the middle of a dense forest. On the way back, you can follow the longer forest road, with which you can easily return to the starting point. 

• Start and finish: upper Lake Fusine
• Elevation gain: 450 m 
• Lenght: 8 km 
• Difficulty level: medium

Auronzo Hut under the Three Peaks of Lavaredo (Veneto)

In any respectable list of best winter itineraries, a snowshoe hike in the Tre Cime Di Lavaredo is a must. We have already talked about these extraordinary mountains in the article "Excursion Tre Cime di Lavaredo: itinerary and tips," and we believe that visiting them in winter is an even more extraordinary experience. Starting from Lake Antorno, you ascend along the wide and well-marked road, which is closed to traffic in winter and is traveled only by snowmobiles heading to the Auronzo Refuge. The elevation gain is not unnoticeable if done with snowshoes, but the view of the snow-capped Three Peaks appreciable from the Auronzo Refuge will surely repay the effort of the hike.

• Start: Antorno Lake 
• Finish: Auronzo Hut 
• Elevation gain: 450 m 
• Lenght: 5,5 km 
• Difficulty level: easy

Snowshoeing on Mount Rite (Veneto)

In a previous article we talked about 10 treks in the Dolomites, however not all trails are suitable to be hiked in winter. That being said, there are plenty of snowshoe hikes that can be done in the Dolomites, but if you are looking for a scenic destination that overlooks the main mountains of this mountain range then Mount Rite is the right choice. Starting from the Cibiana Pass, you can ascend by following trail 479, a wide, gently sloping forest road on which the shuttle bus to the Dolomites Refuge circulates in summer. The road gently zigzags up the southern slope of Mount Rite to its summit where you can visit the Mountain Messner Museum, a museum dedicated to mountaineering. From the summit you can admire some of the most beautiful mountains in the Dolomites: Pelmo, Civetta, Antelao, Sorapis, Tofane, Lagazuoi, and Croda da Lago.

• Start: Cibiana Pass 
• Finish: Dolomites Hut 
• Elevation gain: 650 m 
• Lenght: 7 km 
• Difficulty: medium

Ring snowshoeing on the Piani di Bobbio (Lombardy)

If you're looking for a place to snowshoe near Milan, the most convenient location is a hike on the Piani di Bobbio, in the province of Lecco, which is only an hour's drive from the Lombard capital. This well-known ski location is the site of the Anello Pequeno, a simple and well-marked snowshoe trail suitable for all ages. However, the area is rich in trails and snowshoeing routes so it is also possible to organize more difficult excursions, such as the ring on the Campelli Group. For more information on the trails, we recommend visiting the official website of the area.

• Start and finish: Bobbio cableway station
• Elevation gain: 130 m 
• Lenght: 3 km 
• Difficulty: easy

Snowshoeing in Boscoreale between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany

Boscoreale is known for its cross-country ski school, but there are also three trails of varying difficulty in the area for snowshoeing. The trail we recommend is the intermediate one that starts from Rifugio Boscoreale and goes up to Passo delle Radici, progressing almost entirely through the woods and covering an elevation gain of 250m. The trail is well marked and often beaten by other snowshoers; however, it is always good to have a GPS device with you as it is easy to lose your bearings when walking in the woods, especially if the snow is fresh.

• Start: Boscoreale Hut 
• Finish: Passo delle Radici 
• Elevation gain: 250 m 
• Lenght: 3,5 km 
• Difficulty level: easy

Snowshoeing at Blockhaus in the heart of Abruzzo

Even the Apennines, during the winter, offer breathtaking views when covered in snow. One of the best areas for snowshoeing is in Abruzzo with its many natural parks. The route we recommend is in Majella National Park and starts from the Majelletta ski station. The route climbs along an asphalt road, so it is wide and well-marked, and leads to the Pomilio Refuge, from which on fine days it is possible to see the Adriatic Sea. Proceeding along the road, the trail ends at the top of Blockhaus where the remains of a blockhouse erected in the late 1800s to counter brigands are still visible.

• Start: Passo Lanciano - Majelletta 
• Finish: Blockhaus peak 
• Elevation gain: 500 m 
• Lenght: 8 km 
• Difficulty level: difficult

Snowshoeing on a volcano: on the slopes of Mount Etna (Sicily)

It may seem impossible, but even in Italy's southernmost region you are able to organize a snowshoe hike. In fact, Mount Etna, the highest peak in Sicily, which is capped with white in winter, and allows hikers to undertake snowshoeing trips that are a truly unique and indescribable experience. There are many tour operators in the area that organize guided snowshoe outings along itineraries of varying difficulty. Among the various proposals, we recommend starting from Piano Provenzana to get to the top of the large lateral craters, from which on clear days it is even possible to catch a glimpse of Calabria.

• Start: Piano Provenzana 
• Finish: Peak of Etna's lateral craters
• Elevation gain: 300 m 
• Lenght: 2,5 km 
• Difficulty level: easy