Fall has arrived…
Mornings are crisp. The smell of wood smoke hangs in the air. The countryside is aglow, painted shades of red, orange, and gold by the changing foliage of the trees.
With the summer heat giving way to cooler temperatures, this is the perfect time of year for outdoor enthusiasts to hit the hiking trails.
Hiking is great exercise, but the mental rewards are just as important. The simple act of placing one foot in front of the other in nature has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and boost creative thinking.
And when you’re overseas, hiking can be a great way to both connect with the land and meet new people. Follow local trails and you can discover small villages, family-run cafés, and secret spots known only to residents.
All of which got me and my team thinking about some of the great hiking destinations on my global beat.
From the cloud forests of Panama to the coastal mountains of Sicily to the winding, vineyard-covered hills of Tuscany, look overseas and you’ll find idyllic hiking environments to suit every taste and climate preference. And homes set in these environments can be surprisingly affordable.
So this week I asked my team to find listings for overseas dream homes with access to great hiking. Here’s what they uncovered…
Gratteri, Sicily
Listing Price: €65,000 ($71,000)
Hike Sicilian trails from this two-bedroom home with historic charm, sea views, and easy access to Madonie Mountain’s scenic routes. Listing here.
Hikers have long been drawn to Sicily for its historic towns and villages, rugged coastal paths, volcanic mountains and lush mountain trails.
My scout Ciaran Madden visited earlier in the year and was captivated by the hillside town of Gratteri. He described it as “…idyllic small-town Sicily—leafy, cobblestoned streets…colorful homes with wrought-iron balconies…centuries-old architecture…quaint cafés with people sitting outsides sipping espressos and playing checkers…”
Set in the Madonie Regional Natural Park facing the Mediterranean, Gratteri has breathtaking views out to the coast. It’s also close to some of the best hikes in Sicily, like the Piano Zucchi trail, which is near Gratteri in the heart of the Madonie Mountains. This five-mile path leads through enchanting countryside dotted with ancient olive groves, fragrant citrus orchards, and rolling hills covered in wildflowers. Along the way you’ll be treated to breathtaking vistas of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the rugged peaks of the Madonie range.
My team found this two-bedroom property, a historic four-story building in the heart of Gratteri. Ciaran walked past this building when he scouted Gratteri. It’s in the very center of town.
The property has been recently renovated, and has a large kitchen, storeroom, bathroom, utility room, and several spacious balconies. Two balconies overlook the quiet high street, while a rear balcony offers beautiful sea views. The first floor includes an entrance hallway and a 129-square-foot commercial space with a bathroom.
The second and third floors each have a large bedroom, and the top floor houses the kitchen and a small roof terrace. The property is listed for €65,000 ($71,000) and the link is here.
Boquete, Panama
Listing Price: $225,000
This three-bedroom retreat in the mountain town of Boquete is surrounded by Panama’s cloud forests, volcanoes, and exotic wildlife. Listing here.
Panama’s unique geography, straddling two continents and two oceans, provides a varied landscape for hikers to explore. Much of the best hiking in Panama is to be found in the area around the mountain town of Boquete, close to the border with Costa Rica.
Nestled in the highlands of Panama’s Chiriqui Province, Boquete is a hiker’s paradise.
The crown jewel of the region is the Volcan Baru National Park. This is where you’ll find Panama’s highest peak, an impressive 11,400 feet above sea level. Volcan Baru is an extinct volcano with challenging hikes and breathtaking views. On a clear day you can see both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans from its summit.
Boquete is also famous for its cloud forest trails like El Pianista and La Piedra de Lino. These paths wind through hills and lush tropical vegetation. The jungle here is home to all manner of wildlife. If you’re lucky you might even spot the elusive quetzal, a rare species of colorful bird.
My team found this fully furnished, three-bedroom house in Boquete, with 2,500 square feet of living space. The house is surrounded by verdant countryside and has mountain views.
The first floor features a cozy living room with a mounted TV and fireplace, and a fully equipped kitchen. There’s also a balcony, fenced backyard, and two bedrooms with a shared bathroom on this floor.
Upstairs, the entire second floor is devoted to a private master suite with its own balcony and bathroom. The house is listed for $225,000 and you can find the listing here.
Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Listing Price: €190,000 ($207,900)
Explore Portugal’s diverse trails from this three-bedroom home in the coastal city of Viana do Castelo. Listing here.
You’ll find exceptional hiking trials all across northern Portugal…from the Alto Douro wine region to the rugged mountains of Peneda-Gerês National Park.
In Alto Douro, a UNESCO World Heritage site, hikers can cut through terraced vineyards that cling to steep hillsides, and enjoy panoramic views of the Douro River. The most popular trail, known as the Port Wine Trail, runs from Alijó to the Pinhão and Tua valleys offering a succession of breathtaking river views. And when you need some refreshment, you can always call in at one of the local wineries for some world-class ports and wines.
Northern Portugal has remote hiking trails, too. Like the trails in the Peneda-Gerês National Park. Located around an hour north of Porto, the park runs up to the border with Spain. Here you’ll find trails winding through ancient forests and passing historic villages, 13th-century castles, and traditional watermills.
My team found this charming three-bedroom house in the coastal city of Viana do Castelo in northern Portugal, which puts you within reach of all these fantastic hikes. The house has 1,420 square feet of living space. The first floor features a wrap-around balcony, living room, kitchen, two bedrooms, office, and bathroom. Upstairs, you’ll find an additional living room and bedroom with closet. The house has a garage and a terrace/patio with views of the mountains.
Located in a quiet residential area near the Portuguese coast, the property offers easy access to local amenities and the beach. The property is priced at €190,000 ($207,900), and the listing is here.
Bariloche, Argentina
Listing Price: $130,000
Hike Patagonia’s stunning trails from this cozy two-bedroom Bariloche cabin…lakes, mountains, and adventure await. Listing here.
Tucked away in the heart of Argentina’s Lake District, San Carlos de Bariloche is a gateway to some of Patagonia’s most dazzling landscapes. The town is perched on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi, embraced by glacial lakes and framed by the rugged Andes mountains.
One of the most popular hikes in Bariloche is the Circuito Chico, which opens up at intervals to reveal stunning views of crystal-clear lakes. The trail is easy enough, the type of walk you could do fairly frequently during warmer seasons if you lived here…and you’d get to see the countryside change with the different seasons.
You’ll have to work a bit harder for the best views, though. A steep trail up Cerro Campanario rewards hikers with spectacular panoramic views of the whole region.
More adventurous trekkers might opt for the Refugio Frey hike, which navigates rocky terrain, forests, rivers, and streams, allowing hikers to drink in the raw beauty of the Cerro Catedral Mountain and its surrounding peaks.
This region of Argentina is not just rich in hiking trails, you’ll also find bargain real estate.
My team found a cozy cabin priced at $130,000. It has 710 square feet of living space and sits on a 2,300-square-foot lot. The cabin includes two bedrooms, a living room, dining room, kitchen, and a bathroom. There are large windows to make the most of the natural light and ceramic tiles throughout. Outside there is space for secure off-road parking.
The cabin is for sale at $130,000. Click here for the listing.
Arenal, Costa Rica
Listing Price: $279,000
Hike the local volcanic trails from this two-bedroom Lake Arenal home, which puts wildlife, waterfalls, and hot springs on your doorstep. Listing here.
Arenal Volcano National Park, in northern Costa Rica, is one of the country’s most popular hiking destinations. There are trails to suit all skill levels and many have wonderful surprises like hidden waterfalls or natural hot springs. There’s an abundance of wildlife too…expect encounters with tropical birds, monkeys and much more.
One of the most interesting hikes in the area is Las Coladas Trail. It’s named after the rocks of lava left behind by a 1968 eruption. The trail is mostly flat and so relatively easy going. It leads through tropical forest and fields of cooled lava, finishing with a spectacular view of the volcano and Lake Arenal.
If a mountainside retreat in Costa Rica appeals, you might like this spacious two-bedroom house. It’s set behind a gated driveway on Lake Arenal and comprises a main house with a large kitchen/dining area, TV room, front porch, laundry room, and garage, plus a small guest house with an additional bedroom and bathroom.
The gardens are planted with fruit trees and herbs and there’s also a chicken coop, fire pit, and aviary. The house uses a solar-powered hot water system. It’s also close to fishing and kayaking, and is 90 minutes’ drive from Liberia International Airport.
The property is for sale at $279,000, check out the listing here.
Tuscany, Italy
Listing Price: €540,000 ($590,900)
Discover Tuscany from this five-bedroom Chianti villa with 15th-century charm, panoramic views, and easy access to iconic wine trails and medieval villages. Listing here.
Hiking through the Tuscan countryside is an idyllic way to take in the region’s signature rolling hills and rich history. You can stroll through cypress-lined paths, climb jagged highland trails, and explore medieval villages.
Tuscany is wine-growing country, and you can combine many of the trails with tours at local vineyards. For example, there’s the Sentiero del Chianti trail, which connects charming villages, offering hikers the chance to taste world-renowned wines along the way.
Hiking through Tuscany, you’ll find frequent reminders of Italy’s storied past. Like the ancient pilgrimage route of Via Francigena which snakes through picturesque hill towns and vineyards, taking you deep into the heart of Tuscany.
The allure of owning a Tuscan villa has drawn people from all over the world. My team found this five-bedroom country house with 4,750 square feet of living space.
Located in the heart of Chianti, the villa has a 15th-century watchtower and is set on 27,000 square feet of private land with an olive grove, cellar, and panoramic terrace. The interior has traditional Tuscan elements such as terracotta floors, exposed wooden beams, and stone arches.
The home is priced at €540,000 ($590,900). Link here.
Ronan McMahon, Founder, Overseas Dream Home & Real Estate Trend Alert
P.S. If you’re interested in any of these listings you should hire an attorney and do your own due diligence. We haven’t visited these properties in person or done any due diligence on them.
P.P.S. For more listings of affordable overseas dream homes, click here to follow our Your Cheap Dream Home Instagram account.
