It’s a popular hike and, when you see the views after you get above the clouds, it’s easy to see why. Here’s my guide on how to hike the 52 Tunnels trail in Italy to prepare you for the trail (and the leg workout that comes with it.)
A Practical Guide On How To Hike The 52 Tunnels Trail In Italy
Disclaimer
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The basics
Location: Veneto, Italy
Drive: 1 hour from Vicenza
Time: 4.5 – 5 hours of hiking time depending on your pace
Cost: €6 for parking (bring coins) or free parking with a short walk to the trailhead
Difficulty: Easy-moderate depending on your fitness level
What to bring:
- Good hiking shoes (I use the New Balance Minimus
) - Flashlight for the tunnels (I just used my phone flashlight)
- Snacks or energy gels (these are my favorite)
- Water bottle
- Hat
- Camera (If you’re looking for a new one, I recommend a GoPro on this compact selfie stick & tripod combo or Sony Alpha a6000)
- Jacket or layers to add towards the top if it gets cold
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Where to park
There is a parking lot at the start of the hike where you can park for €6 per day. It is open from the start of May to the end of October.
To get there use “52 Gallerie – Bocchetta Campiglia” in Google Maps and it will take you to the parking area.
If you don’t mind a short walk, there is a free parking lot further away. To get to the free parking lot use “Passo Xomo” in Google Maps.
From this parking lot, you can walk to the start of the hike by following the road up (easier option) or by taking the trail through the bush (it was pretty steep but fun.)
Free parking area and you walk on the street to the right to get to the start of the trail.
When to hike 52 Tunnels
May/June or September/early October is the best time to hike 52 Tunnels which will give you milder weather and fewer crowds.
If you hike in Summer, go early to avoid the heat and crowds as much as possible.
You can check the status of the hike and webcam online to help plan your visit.
When it comes to how to hike the 52 Tunnels trail, just keep putting one foot in front of the other
Where is the trailhead
You can’t miss it.
52 Tunnels has one of the coolest trailheads I’ve ever seen with a large sign and photos lining the walking trail before the start of the hike.
It creates a unique atmosphere to start the hike and is a nice tribute to the history of the tunnels which were created in World War I by Italian soldiers.
Entrance to the hike
What to expect
The trail is open and rocky for the most part, with some incredible views as you get higher into the trail. It’s as if you are hiking up the trail then all of a sudden it opens up, you are above the clouds, and the views from up there are amazing!
For the tunnels, you may want to bring a flashlight to help find your footing in the dark. I did the hike with just my phone flashlight and it worked fine for me.
There is a restaurant after the 52nd tunnel if you prefer to sit down for a snack or lunch, otherwise, I recommend bringing some snacks or lunch and have a picnic.
Either way, since it can be strenuous with the incline, I recommend having some sort of snacks on this one and lots of water.
Challenges
I had read a lot about how challenging the trail was, but overall it was much easier than I expected.
The main challenge is that you walk uphill for most of the trail as you get through all the tunnels. It can be strenuous and tiring, though, if you have a basic level of fitness, it shouldn’t be too much of a challenge.
There is a lot of room to stop and take a break if you need to as well.
It felt long and tiring but as long as you are prepared and just put one foot in front of the other, you’ll be able to get there.
Another challenge is that it can be a little slippery inside the tunnels, which is why I recommended having a good pair of shoes.
I use the New Balance Minimus
and love these for hikes where the footing is slippery or loose because they have good grip and give me a lot of confidence as I hike.
If you have a pair of hiking boots or other shoes with good grip then it would be a good idea to use them instead of street sneakers.
As far as hiking skill, there are no ropes or boulders to climb, the trail is wide so you aren’t on any narrow ridges, and it’s well marked with red and white hiking icons as well as signs. So skill-wise, it’s a simple one.
How to return after reaching the last tunnel
There are a couple of options to get back to the start of the trail.
Firstly, after you go through the last tunnel, you can turn around and hike back the way you came.
You can also walk around the back of the tunnel, follow it to the right and follow the trail down to the parking lot. This route has no tunnels and is an easy walk. If you have bad knees or don’t want to hike downhill through the slippery tunnels, then I would recommend taking this trail.
There are plenty of signs and markings to get you back.
Trail behind the last tunnel which will take you back to the parking lot
Other great hikes in northern Italy
- The popular Lago di Sorapis hike to an insanely beautiful blue lake
- Lago di Senaiga – an off the beaten path hike with a lot to offer
- Take the long, scenic hike around Lago di Corlo
- Torrente Canali – Hidden gem of a bright blue pond and lots of hiking trails
For more ideas, here’s my guide to the best hikes in the Dolomites.
As always, use your best judgment as far as whether this would be a good hike for you, check the weather forecast, and stick to the trails.
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