Three Exciting New Trails Unveiled in Italy and Portugal, Featuring Two Epic Long-Distance Hikes

In recent years, various communities across Europe have sought solutions to address overtourism issues and enhance the livability of cities for their residents. Some cities, such as Manchester and Venice, have introduced tourism taxes, while others like Amsterdam and the Spanish island of Majorca are restricting or banning large cruise ships from the city center.

However, there are alternative strategies to encourage visitors to venture off the typical tourist routes. This spring and summer, a trio of new hiking paths—the Cammino Retico and the Sentiero dell’Arte e dell’Anima in Italy, along with the Palmihar in Portugal—has been launched, aiming to promote tourism in rural areas and reduce the pressure on Europe’s major cities.

Here’s everything you need to know about the new trails—and how you can experience them for yourself.

Italy’s Cammino Retico

Spanning 105 miles through the stunning Dolomites, the Cammino Retico, which launched in May, links 10 secluded mountain villages in the Veneto and Trentino regions of northeastern Italy. Named after the pre-Roman Raeti people who once inhabited this area, the circular path begins and concludes in Aune di Sovramonte, close to Belluno.

Along its course, the trail traverses plateaus and valleys, passing by charming mountain villages and pristine alpine lakes.

“The trail primarily navigates through sparsely populated and undeveloped areas,” remarked Francesco De Bortoli, the visionary behind the Cammino Retico. “You can wander for hours without encountering another soul.”

Hikers will have the opportunity to visit various historical landmarks, including Monte Avena, where Neanderthal remnants have been found, and the Sanctuary of Saints Vittore and Corona, a 12th-century Byzantine-Romanesque church adorned with original frescoes. The route also leads past the Pedavena Brewery, operating since 1897, and a bicycle museum in Cesiomaggiore.

The journey is intended to be completed in seven days (though trekkers can prolong their adventure, spending extra time in certain towns and undertaking side hikes). Along the way, adventurers can find lodging at over 50 accommodations, such as Villa San Liberale, which dates back to the 1700s in the walled city of Feltre, and Campo di Cielo, a farm stay in Cesiomaggiore offering breathtaking views of the Feltrina Valley. Camping is also an option along the route.

Since the trail was inaugurated, over 200 adventurers have successfully completed the full hike, according to De Bortoli.

A new path designed for mountain biking, known as the Rhaetian Way, is anticipated to be finished by 2025.

Italy’s Sentiero dell’Arte e dell’Anima

Translating to the pathway of art and spirit, the Sentiero dell’Arte e dell’Anima starts in the Tuscan town of Pienza, located about 71 miles southeast of Florence, inviting visitors into the picturesque countryside.

Launched in March, this two-mile trail begins at the town’s central piazza and features 28 marble benches. Each bench is a unique creation by a different renowned sculptor, including Mauro Berrettini and Matthew Spender.

According to Fondazione FUR, established by Urs Rechsteiner, a Swiss art collector residing in the area who donated the benches, each artist “interpreted the theme of the seat, the bench, and the space for pause and contemplation. Each great artist has contributed their distinct perspective on beauty, coming together for the first time in a remarkable collection in a singular location in the world.”

Some benches resemble abstract thrones; others mimic river stones. One is shaped like a boxcar, while another resembles a figurehead from a ship. All provide hikers a chance to rest and admire the stunning Tuscan landscape, which includes vineyards, farmhouses, forests, and an ancient watchtower.

Palmilhar Portugal

Once fully unveiled, Portugal’s latest trail, Palmilhar Portugal—meaning “Walking Portugal”—will claim the title of the world’s longest circular hiking route, spanning nearly 2,000 miles. For perspective, that's just a tad shorter than the Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine.

Currently, only the initial section is open to hikers and bikers in Alenquer, located just north of Lisbon. An additional 15 sections are expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

Ricardo Bernardes, the project’s founder, estimates that the trail will reach completion in about three years, weaving along Portugal’s northern and southern borders, showcasing vineyards, towns, national parks, and stunning coastlines.

In the upcoming months, adventurers taking on the route will have the ability to monitor their journey through a mobile app, which will feature a digital passport to log each completed section. Additionally, a physical passport will be available for stamping, similar to the one used on the renowned Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain.