Late October and November give the Italian hills back to slow travellers: empty trails, soft light, lower rates and a calendar of olive harvests, chestnuts and village festivals.

A practical month-by-month guide to weather, trail conditions and crowd levels for walking the Italian countryside, with advice on choosing the season that suits your route and pace.

A practical, printable packing checklist for slow walks in the Italian countryside, covering footwear, layers, daypack gear, documents, and what to leave at home.