The summer is gone, the sea is not.
With autumn, the most crowded Italian beaches become silent again in July, temperatures drop just enough to walk without suffering, and many coastal paths become more pleasant precisely because they are less travelled.
It's the moment when a weekend can bring together two things that are mutually exclusive in summer: a real trek and a swim (or at least a walk) by the sea.

Here are five itineraries around Italy that combine the two things, with concrete data on distances, travel times and some practical tips, especially useful now that the days are getting shorter sooner than expected.

1. Liguria, between Finale Ligure and Varigotti on the Sentiero del Pellegrino

The Pilgrim's Path connects the villages of Noli and Varigotti passing through the Grotta dei Falsari (also called Grotta dei Briganti, due to the legend of the smugglers who hid the stolen goods there). The name of the path comes from the three ancient deconsecrated churches that meet along the route, once pilgrimage stops towards the coast.

• Distance and time: the most direct route between Noli and Varigotti measures approximately 5 km and takes 2 and a half to 3 hours; including the climb to Capo Noli and the detour to the cave you get to 8-9 km and about 3 and a half to 4 hours.
• Height difference: between 250 and 500 meters depending on the variant, suitable for those who have a minimum amount of training but do not require technical equipment.
• How to return without taking the path backwards: bus line 40 leaves from the center of Noli, which takes you back to Varigotti in a few minutes for those who prefer not to retrace their steps.
• When to go: early autumn remains one of the best periods, with lower temperatures than summer and a less crowded path than high season weekends.
• Where to eat after the trail: hinterland for lunch, Finalborgo for dinner. Our addresses are in where to eat in Finale Ligure in autumn.

If you are more interested in the Finale area, we have dedicated a specific article to it paths between Finale Ligure and Varigotti, with other variations and points of view on the area.

2. Lazio, the Circeo Promontory between Quarto Caldo and Quarto Freddo

Mount Circeo, in the Circeo National Park, is divided into two sides that change appearance within a few hundred metres: the Quarto Caldo, exposed to the sea and covered in Mediterranean scrub, and the Quarto Freddo, facing north and occupied by a shady holm oak forest. The promontory's trail network extends for approximately 21 km, so it is possible to build a tailor-made itinerary by combining several sections.

• Distance and time: the stretch between Torre Fico and Batteria is the simplest, 4.1 km almost flat and can be covered in an hour; the Quarto Caldo Ring, which starts and arrives at the San Felice Circeo lighthouse, measures approximately 8.75 km and takes 1 hour and 45 minutes.
• For those looking for more commitment: the climb to Picco di Circe (541 metres) lasts from 2 to 5 hours depending on the starting point and includes a steep section where you need the help of your hands.
• A detail to keep in mind in autumn: on the Quarto Caldo side, exposed to the sun, the days shorten sooner than expected: starting in the morning avoids finding yourself in the last stretch with little light.

San Felice Circeo, with the historic center overlooking the promontory, is also the area in which Villa Marita is located: a good reason to continue to keep an eye on it in the coming months.

3. Tuscany, the Maremma and the beach of Cala Violina

Cala Violina, in the Bandite di Scarlino Nature Reserve between Follonica and Punta Ala, takes its name from the violin-like sound that the very fine sand produces when walked on in silent conditions. It cannot be reached by car: the last kilometers can only be covered on foot or by bicycle, which makes it one of the few Italian beaches that truly remain a goal to be earned by walking.

• Distance and time: from the Pian d'Alma/Val Martina car park the shortest path measures 1.5-1.8 km (20-30 minutes on foot); from Puntone di Scarlino the route is more panoramic but longer, about 4-4.5 km, and also touches the bay of Cala Martina.
• Why it's more convenient in autumn: from June to September access is regulated with online booking and a small contribution; out of season the regime changes and often even parking, which is paid in summer, becomes free again (it must however be checked on site, because the conditions change from season to season).
• What to bring: along the route there are no establishments or water points, and there are no bins: water, snacks and waste bags must be taken into account before leaving.

4. Puglia, a taste of the Cammino del Salento between San Foca and Otranto

The Cammino del Salento, in its coastal variant Via del Mare, is a multi-day route between Lecce and Santa Maria di Leuca. For a weekend you don't need to cover it all: just take the stage between San Foca and Otranto, one of the most scenic, which touches the Grotta della Poesia, Torre dell'Orso and the stacks of Sant'Andrea.

• Distance and time: the complete stage measures approximately 25 km and takes 6-6 and a half hours; for a quieter weekend you can break it in half by staying overnight in Torre dell'Orso and continuing the next day towards Otranto.
• When to go: September and October are explicitly indicated as the best period together with spring, with lower temperatures than summer and without the need to shorten the stages due to the heat.
• A practical detail: the route is marked with orange arrows and the GPX tracks can be downloaded online; they can also be used only for a single section, without having to undertake the entire journey.

5. Liguria, the Cinque Terre and the Sentiero Azzurro: the situation updated to 2026

The Sentiero Azzurro, the historical connection between the five villages of the Cinque Terre, changes status frequently due to the fragility of the territory: before leaving it is worth knowing what you can travel at the moment.

• What's open: the historical stretches between Monterosso and Vernazza and between Vernazza and Corniglia are regularly passable (except for local weather alerts). The famous Via dell'Amore, between Riomaggiore and Manarola, is open but with regulated access: hourly reservation and dedicated ticket to avoid overcrowding.
• What remains closed: the lower section between Manarola and Corniglia is closed due to the fragility of the crag, with reopening not expected before 2028: it is not an occasional maintenance, so it is better not to count it in the weekend planning.
• Distance and time: the entire Sentiero Azzurro covers approximately 12 km; for an autumn weekend one of the best combinations remains Monterosso-Vernazza-Corniglia, about 7.5 km in total and 3 and a half hours of actual walking.
• Costs: the open sections require the Cinque Terre Card; in the low season, from November 2nd, the daily price drops to around 17.30 euros, compared to the higher rates of the summer months.
• Trains: until November 1st the Cinque Terre Express remains active with a train every 15-20 minutes, so for a weekend in September or October the connections remain frequent; those who travel later in the season will only find regional trains, with a run approximately every 30-60 minutes.

For a more extended itinerary, told in a more narrative key, our guide to the remains valid long weekend in the Cinque Terre.

Ready to go for an autumn weekend?

Choosing coastal trekking in autumn means rediscovering the Italian landscape in a different light and without the rush of the high season. Whether you are attracted by the Pilgrim's Path in Varigotti or the mild climate of the Cammino del Salento, the secret in this season is only one: always check the local weather forecast before taking the path, and enjoy the finally silent beaches.

If you prefer a more operational approach, with checklists and practical organization of the weekend, you will find other ideas in our guide on how organize a stress-free long weekend.

Backpack on your shoulder, trekking shoes tied and, why not, a swimsuit tucked into your backpack for the last swim of the year.