Outdoor activities in Italy

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AND ADVENTUROUS TRIPS
Italy is full of wonderful places. This page lists some beautiful trips and, in true Wild Trips' style, for many of these places we present an adventurous way to visit them, an outdoor sport that suits the location. Most of the destinations are in Liguria, where the author lives, while the favorite activities are kayaking, trekking and sailing.

TREKKING: Liguria, the Italian Riviera, offers some of the most beautiful trails on the sea in the world. Everybody goes to the famous, wonderful and busy Cinque Terre, but just few kilometers away from Cinque Terre there are other beautiful paths that you'll have all for yourself. Here are our suggested itineraries, from east to west:
Hiking itineraries at Lerici and Tellaro
The paths on Palmaria island
Best trekking in the world: Riomaggiore - Portovenere
From Campiglia to Persico beach and Tramonti cliffs
From Campiglia to the sea of Schiara
Amazing Cinque Terre: Corniglia to Riomaggiore via Manarola
Hiking at Vernazza and Cinque Terre
Monterosso and the path to Levanto
Trekking at Framura, Bonassola, Levanto
Path Levanto - Framura in the tunnels
Woods and hamlets between Deiva and Framura
The panoramic path from Moneglia to Deiva
Trekking at Sestri Levante and Punta Manara
The path from Chiavari to Sestri
The panoramic views of the hike from Chiavari to Montallegro
The beautiful paths of Portofino
Portofino and Cala degli Inglesi
The amazing views of Recco, Caravaggio and Camogli
The picturesque path from Recco to Genoa via Sori and Bogliasco
We also have a recommended path in Tuscany, in the beautiful countryside around Siena.


SAILING: travelling pushed by the wind, listening only to the sound of the sea and the air (and, often, the caps of the bottles that are opened very often by sailors) is a wonderful way to enjoy the sea and the nature. As an outdoor sport, sailing may be thrilling but also quite relaxing. For example, read about this exciting sailing trips from Liguria to Sicily! Otherwise, join us directly for a day sailing trip in Liguria.
LIGURIA BY KAYAK: an active exploration of Portofino, Cinque Terre and much more, aboard a canoe along the beautiful Italian Riviera.
Let's talk about the eastern part of Liguria. You can start from the Gulf of La Spezia: the coast between Lerici and Bocca di Magra, passing through the magnificent village of Tellaro, is wild and has some beautiful caves. On the other side of the Gulf there is Portovenere: by kayak, from here to the Cinque Terre you feel like in paradise. Among the beautiful villages of Levanto, Bonassola, Moneglia and Sestri Levante, the water is crystal clear under the cliffs; these places are perfect also to practice other outdoor sports such as snorkeling and rock climbing. Then, continuing by kayak from Chiavari to Genoa, you will meet some picturesque towns, the promontory of Portofino with its wild coast... and much more.


MORE KAYAKING IN LIGURIA AND TUSCANY: the western part of Liguria, but less fascinating for kayakers: in this portion of the Italian Riviera generally the coast is not very wild. There is at least one notable exception: visiting Noli, Bergeggi and Varigotti by kayak it allows you to admire some unique places. Here too, rock climbing is another very popular outdoor activity.

Of course, in Tuscany there are plenty of wonderful places. The long coastline of the Elba island is perfect for canoeing. The island of Giglio is smaller and can be circumnavigated in one day by paddling in crystal clear waters. Kayaking is the best way to enjoy the Argentario promontory, discovering fantastic beaches and cliffs. The same applies to the wonderful coast between Livorno and Castiglioncello.

LAKES AND LAGOONS BY KAYAK: Venice is unique in the world and also a very original place for a kayaking trip. Actually, exploring Venice on a canoe will be memorable. Here the outdoor activity is mixed with architecture, history and culture.

You should also visit Lake Orta by kayak, which allows you to admire awesome landscapes and unique architecture. Do not miss the alpine charm of the Lake Lugano, both by kayaking and trekking.

HAVE FUN: outdoor activities, from the simplest walk to freeriding, give sensations that are difficult to feel otherwise. I love looking for these feelings, in many different outdoor activities, each one ideal in certain seasons or in certain places. Without reaching the extreme, which is better left to professional athletes. Here are some sports in which I felt to combine the beauty of the landscape and the adrenaline rush of the activity. Just some ideas for your trips!

In Laser sailing, you are alone playing with the wind on the tiniest boat... and it's a lot of thrill and fun. Here I am in Chiavari:

It was thrilling also to go kayaking on the rapids of river Trebbia, in the mountains between Liguria and Piedmont:

Surfing the wake of a motorboat? Wakeboarding and wakesurfing are two original outdoor activities:

Hobie cats and other catamarans: sailing at 20 knots, but the feeling is to be flying at 200 mph, with an adrenaline rush.

I live on the sea but I love also the mountains: the beauty of the landscapes and the fun of the sport:

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