Trekking Giglio Island

Are you a lover of hiking and want to discover trails surrounded by unspoiled nature? Book a ferry to the island of Giglio and plan a vacation to discover a place that is not only synonymous with crystal clear sea and summer sunshine, but also with exploring the area.

Discovering the trails of Giglio Island is possible in summer (with some precautions during the hottest hours), although the ideal seasons to experience this are mainly spring and fall.

During these periods, in fact, the island's nature is colored with unique hues, and the breathtaking views of the Tuscan Archipelago and the mainland coast become even more striking.

Ancient mule tracks, now accessible to all with trails for trekking

Giglio Island's network of trails, consisting of. 29 hiking trails, reveals an area rich in beauty, including dirt paths and ancient mule tracks that connect the island's three towns. 

These roads were once traveled on the backs of donkeys, today are favored routes to discover the most hidden sides of the island, but also to reach lesser-known beaches and coves, crossing the Mediterranean bush.

Walking through the island's trails is a true sensory journey: colors, smells, panoramic views, and silence only interrupted by the sounds of nature.

Giglio Island has recovered this wealth with the help of European funds. In fact, the municipality and the island's Proloco have worked together to clean up and recover forgotten trails as farmers gradually abandoned the countryside, at a time when the tourism-based economy had caused them to fall into oblivion.

Now, however, the tourist economy itself has unearthed these paths, helping to breathe new life into this wonderful island.

Despite the predominantly mountainous nature of the area, the trails offer different opportunities, depending on one's abilities and needs.

Some are passable without great difficulty and elevation gain, others are more challenging in both length and elevation gain. For those who prefer, it is possible to reach some destinations such as Giglio Castello by public or private transportation, and then engage in the descent along the trails.

Our tips for a carefree trek to Giglio Island

For make the most of the experience of trekking to Giglio Island, it is necessary to prepare properly. Here are some of our tips. 

Before leaving, make sure you wear appropriate footwear. A sturdy pair of hiking shoes is essential for dealing with the dirt terrain of trails and preventing potential injuries. Also a hat is equally important to protect yourself from the sun. 

Along the paths of Giglio Island, you will not find refreshment areas or bars, so it is essential to carry enough water with you. We recommend at least one and a half liters per person, especially if you plan to do your hiking during the summer months. 

Speaking of schedules, it is a good idea to avoid the hottest hours of the day, especially in summer. The early morning hours or the second part of the afternoon are the ideal times to undertake your hikes. In spring and autumn, on the other hand, there should be no problems concerning temperatures.

Another aspect to consider is cellular signal coverage. In some areas of the island, particularly along the west coast, the signal may be weak or nonexistent. Therefore, it is advisable to arrange any meetings or appointments before leaving for the excursion.

Finally, don't forget to take a small energy snack with you., such as fruit, which can be restorative during times of greatest fatigue. 

Remember, each trail has its own peculiarities: some trails on Giglio Island are easy and suitable for everyone, while others may present some difficulty due to the slope or the nature of the terrain.

So find out in advance and choose the route best suited to your level of experience and fitness.

Do you wish to experience trekking in Giglio Island? Set off now with Maregiglio!

Lovers of hiking? For an all-around experience that includes discovering the area to the good sea, we recommend booking a vacation to Giglio Island.

To reach the island, there is nothing simpler: go to the resort of Porto Santo Stefano e Reach the ferry boarding area., located at Piazzale Candi 8 - Ferry Terminal, at the Port of the Valley, where you will find the ships of our company, Maregiglio, ready to welcome you.

Do you wish to embark the car or motorcycle with you? The advice we give is not to risk finding everything full, and to book your ticket in advance online (The rule also applies if you travel to Giglio without means, especially during the busy tourist months in summer). 

If you do not bring your car with you, you can conveniently leave it in Porto Santo Stefano by parking it in the designated places which we point you to at this link. 

Maregiglio ferries, which follow. the Porto Santo Stefano - Giglio Island route, are known for the quality of service provided on a daily basis: in about 1 hour you will comfortably arrive at your destination. 

Always keep some basic information in mind:

•       we strongly recommend that you report to the boarding area at least 30 minutes before departure, especially if you decide to leave by boarding a vehicle;
•       August 5 to 25 (inclusive), to bring your car or motorcycle (with Italian license plates) to Giglio, you will need to stay at least 5 days or 4 days (in the case of a campsite) and fill out a self-certification that you can download directly here;
•       always check the updated schedules e our ferry prices, in the dedicated pages.

If you want to further enrich your vacation, we also advise you not to miss our daily mini-cruise proposals, with scheduled departures from Giglio Porto:

•       Mini-cruise to discover the hidden treasures of Giannutri;
•       discovery tour of the Roman Villa of Giannutri;
•       snorkeling on the island of Giannutri.

You can conveniently book the mini-cruise of your choice by simply by clicking on this link.

Giglio Island trekking: here are all the routes