Escape from the heat, over 500 routes throughout Italy

With cities on red alert and the heat rising, there's nothing better than taking a regenerating break in the open air, walking in the shade and taking refreshing dips in lakes, rivers and waterfalls, precious allies against the summer heat.

AllTrails, a platform specializing in outdoor hiking that connects people and helps them discover new places, allows you to find routes suitable for every need and to follow tailor-made itineraries to experience nature in a safe and enjoyable way. Over 500 trails throughout Italy lead to the discovery of refreshing places: they are itineraries immersed in nature, many of which are easily reachable even from the main cities affected by extreme heat, such as Bolzano, Milan, Turin, Bologna, Florence and Rome.

Among the most popular routes, the one that leads to the 'Lake Molveno', in Trentino-Alto Adige, one of the most beautiful Alpine lakes in Italy, with shaded paths and the possibility of bathing in its fresh waters. It is a moderately challenging 11 km circular itinerary that starts from Molveno and surrounds the lake, and is ideal for those who love birdwatching or trekking. The entire route is well maintained and well marked; the highlights, according to the platform's community, are the splendid views of the mountains and the ease of the itinerary.

In Lombardy the 'Sentiero del Viandante' starts from Varenna and arrives after 7 km in Bellano with breathtaking views of Lake Como, historic villages and stretches where you can cool off along the shore. Also called Via Ducale or Via Regia, it is an ancient commercial road and is one of the stages of the longer 60km route that connects Milan to Switzerland along the lake shore. It is very popular with those who love hiking, especially from Castello di Vezio to Bellano with long stretches in the shade and panoramic views. For the return you can board a comfortable ferry that leaves from Bellano and arrives in Varenna. The highlights are the breathtaking views, the large rest areas and the well-marked paths; the challenges, however, are represented by steep slopes, rocky and slippery stretches.

In Piedmont, the 'Cannobio - Sant'Anna via Sant'Agata' route is ideal for hiking or camping, with enchanting views of Lake Maggiore and places to swim. It is a circular route of 8.7 km, generally considered of moderate difficulty, which takes an average of 2 hours and 40 minutes to complete.

In Emilia-Romagna you can follow the itinerary 'lago di Ridracoli - Casa Forestale La Lama', immersed in the heart of the Casentinesi Forests National Park, perfect for days in the shade in contact with nature. The starting point is at Lake Ridracoli and the path, a ring and 19 km long, winds along forest roads and dirt roads through a wood. Along the way you reach the Casa Forestale La Lama, at 698 meters above sea level, where the Rifugio Tiglie is also located.

In nearby Tuscany, 'Stage 92 of the Via Francigena' is a walk between San Gimignano and Monteriggioni that passes through hills and architectural wonders, with the possibility of a refreshing stop in the Elsa River. It is a 30 km long route that is very popular for hiking, trekking and mountain biking.

Finally, in Lazio, the 'Sentiero delle Cinque Cascate di Cerveteri' winds along a cool path through woods and streams, with small waterfalls ideal for a regenerating break.

It is a circular route that crosses the Cerveteri countryside, allowing you to admire five waterfalls and the remains of ancient ironworks. The route, which starts from the square of the Banditaccia Necropolis, is of medium difficulty, with a difference in altitude of about 189 meters and a length of about 13.7 km.